The benefits of a local food system are many. These advantages are economic, social, environmental, and ethical in nature. Local food systems rely on short supply chains in addition to lowering transportation costs. Farmers may sell their products locally since supply chains are short. Furthermore, they improve food security by reducing the demand for imported goods. Local food systems may not be ideal, but they may be very efficient.
Farmers markets, farm to school programs, and regional food hubs are all on the rise, according to a new USDA Economic Research Service research titled "Trends in US Local and Regional Food Systems." Furthermore, local food systems provide greater job prospects while maintaining vital green space. Using local food also helps to maintain agriculture and coastline access for fishers. These economic advantages are worth researching and pursuing. But how can the advantages of local food systems be quantified? The AMS report provides advice in seven sections.
A recent research by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture in Iowa, for example, found that local food sales climbed by 45 percent from 2012 to 2013 (a total of $22 million over two years). This trend is positive, since it will result in the creation of 171 new employment. This implies that local food production is a valuable source of nutritious food for both farmers and consumers. Businesses may ensure a more steady supply of food by fostering local food systems, which benefits local economies.
As the world's population becomes more health-conscious, there is a greater demand for locally grown, organic, and sustainably produced foods. Not only do these techniques assist farmers, ranchers, and consumers, but they also improve the environment. These advantages extend beyond the environment and community health. In truth, many of the advantages of local food systems are relatively straightforward. Here are a few of these advantages.
For starters, the advantages of eating locally are generally recognized. Consumers frequently think that local food is ecologically beneficial since it is often produced locally. However, this is not always the case. For example, although local food is more sustainable, it also requires less transportation. As a result, quantifying the environmental advantages of eating locally produced foods is challenging. The advantages of regional food systems are mostly due to shorter distances between producers and consumers.
Local food systems have a complicated influence on the environment and society. Local food systems may minimize carbon footprints and boost community and rural development, in addition to providing social benefits. Local food systems may even enhance profitability and generate employment in certain circumstances. The economic advantages of local food systems are underappreciated. However, the influence of local food systems on communities remains an essential subject. It is worthwhile to investigate the evidence.
First, the economic significance of local food systems is often exaggerated. Most research assume that buying local food increases consumer expenditure, which may be exaggerated. Furthermore, by directing customers to local producers, the local food system is more likely to foster economic growth. Local food systems may help to build new local food enterprises and support small business growth in certain circumstances. Local food systems may even function as incubators for local enterprises in certain situations.
Throughout the 1970s, there was an increasing public awareness of food and agricultural concerns. At the time, philosophers and activists were already writing on environmental, social, and economic challenges. Frances Moore Lappe introduced the environmental ethic for the first time in 1971. Food protests and the counter-culture movement gained prominence in the 1980s, and the growth of consumer food co-ops and organic food production became an important aspect of the American scene.
The struggle to alter our food system entails a complicated set of principles, and local food system ethics are no exception. However, many people are increasingly questioning their own dietary habits and seeking an ethical position. These efforts, although significant, are often a reaction to a more generalized societal framework. As a consequence, engaging in political and social activities, as well as proposing structural change, is critical. For many, the food movement is a form of political protest.
The authors of this study discovered a complicated link between rural and urban food systems, comprising numerous levels of processing and distribution enterprises. While farm goods account for a modest portion of food costs, consumers are becoming more disconnected from their agricultural source. According to the authors, new market channels are allowing farmers to sell local produce. They also highlight several major themes that have emerged in the contemporary food movement.
Small and medium-sized farms are supported by local food systems. These food sources were available at local farmers markets in the 1990s. The number of farmers markets grew between 1994 and 2017, however many of these markets have since closed, and other experts dispute their usefulness. While some farmers' markets are successful, several experts are concerned that the current downturn is the consequence of fast development of farmers' markets in high-demand areas.
The increasing urbanization and fragility of food systems has prompted a slew of UFS research and publications. This study focuses on the first comprehensive bibliometric examination of UFS research to date, with 5360 papers from the World of Science core collection under consideration. The paper also emphasizes how UFS research may benefit from additional comparison research across cities. The absence of information from low-income nations, where UFS research is most required, is a key concern in the study.
Despite a rise in UFS publications, the topic is still undeveloped and poorly understood. Many studies have focused on sustainability since the UN's SDGs were approved in 2015. However, the evaluation of UFS's sustainability is currently entirely theoretical. Although some research have built frameworks for assessing the sustainability of UFS, the majority are still in the conceptual stage. The information gained is insufficient for the advancement of UFS research and policy.
