[GJM] Local Food Fact Sheets

[marguerite hampton]

Thanks to Paul at Global New News for this important
post.  IMHO we need to get more "proactive" rather 
than "reactive" (Definition of reactive: emphasizing 
symptoms rather than addressing root cause) and this 
is a great proactive article which we can move on.   

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Local Food Fact Sheets 
  
Greetings colleagues, 
  
I’m writing to let you know about a new educational resource recently  
released by Environmental Commons – a series of fact sheets on the  
importance of local control in supporting healthy regional food  
systems. http://www.environmentalcommons.org/LocalFood/ 
  
Local food is quickly gaining recognition as a key to sustainability,  
strong economies and community health. However, the structures that  
either support or discourage local food systems receive much less  
attention. Local food systems simply won’t be viable unless  
communities have a greater ability to influence food-related policies  
that relate to local health, safety and the environment. In light of  
recent attempts to preempt local GMO bans, federal subsidies that  
support agribusiness over farmer wellbeing and local food access, and  
trade agreements that threaten to take away countries’ ability to  
protect its citizens, resources like these fact sheets are more  
important than ever. 
  
The fact sheets are a clear and concise educational tool to raise  
awareness and inspire action for strong local food systems. The fact  
sheet Shaping our Local Food Systems outlines the importance of local  
jurisdiction over many aspects of food and agriculture and  
illustrates why food should be controlled locally. Local Food  
Systems: Challenges and Threats describes the forces that shape food  
systems in the interests of a few large corporations at the expense  
of the public interest, and Local Food Systems: Getting Involved  
charts the course for building food systems that truly support local  
communities. Finally, The Place of Food in Our Lives reflects on the  
consequences of understanding our food primarily as a commodity  
versus as an integral part of family and community life. 
  
The fact sheets are now available nationally through Environmental  
Commons. They can be downloaded from http://  
www.environmentalcommons.org/LocalFood/ and are available free of  
charge, by order, in full-color hard copy as well. 

Please help distribute these far and wide!