Photo of UBC farms in Vancouver, British Columbia
In a vision of local and sustainable food systems, the focus is underlined on proximity and community. Emphasis is placed on promoting local food production, drastically reducing the distance food travels from farm to plate, thereby minimizing carbon emissions and enhancing freshness.
Community-supported agriculture, or CSA, encourages a close relationship between customers and farmers. By purchasing harvest shares, members of the community help local farmers and foster a sense of ownership and responsibility for the food they eat. My value lies strongly in the idea that big chain food companies have promoted the concept that food ‘appears’ when needed for us, cutting out the realities of transport and production. In addition to ensuring food security and minimizing ecological damage, the intervention of promoting local and sustainable food systems also helps to create community ties and promotes a greater awareness of the agricultural processes that maintain our life.
Well said, hcsmith! I agree with your CSA intervention. If the community is more actively invoved in the process of growing, transporting and buying food, farmers will also have to maintain higher standards in their character and practices. Having your farm's safety and protocols checked by a government official is one thing, but regularly having the people who are going to buy your food come to your farm and form meaninful connections with you is another!
Hi hcsmith, I agree that there is a twisting value on how easy food is available for the society. Have you head of "food autonomy" by the Quebec government? It is a strategy they use for promoting food that are being produced locally.