Foodshed
The “farm-to-table” movement is focused on producing food locally within a foodshed, and delivering it to local consumers. Direct farm-to-table in the United States tends to comprise only a very minor segment of the food distribution system in terms of size and importance, but is growing in popularity.Nearly 5 percent of all farmers engage in some form of direct food marketing. Estimates of all farm-to-table sales within a foodshed range from roughly $550 million to $2 billion. Many local farms are family-run farms that are successful and do survive through poor economic conditions. Ecologists consider to be more adaptive and more likely to “reproduce” in highly variable and uncertain environments.
James River Day School
During the week of November 8–12, 2010, James River Day School participated in its first Farm-to-School week. Students ate produce from local farms and on the last day, parents were invited to a farmers' market held at the school. They were able to see what their children were learning and purchase foods directly from the farmers. Farms-to-School is a statewide program in Virginia that teaches kids about the importance of eating local foods, and exposing kids to healthy eating earlier in life.