--- layout: default_v3 language: default permalink: food-supply-chain/food-local-systems.html i18n_link: 3561 updated: 2021-04-28 #--- article key-values ---# collection: default_topiccluster t_keyword: Food Local Systems tags: local food systems, restaurant management, business management, food safety, zip haccp type: supporting page_id: 3561 hreflang_id: 3561 parent_id: 3539 date_published: 2021-04-28 date_modified: 2021-04-28 #--- javascript schema ---# javascript_schema: - script: jquery_3_2_0_min - script: bootstrap_min - script: article_infinite_scroll - script: article_mix_infinitescroll - script: article_mix - script: article_mix_faq - script: article_mix_toc #--- section schema ---# section_schema: - section: nav-main_menu - section: article_body_v2 - section: footer - section: schedule_demo_cta #--- page key-values ---# meta_tags: t_meta_title: Supporting Food Local Systems t_meta_description: It's important to support food local systems to benefit both the community and the land for decades to come. t_meta_abstract: It's important to support food local systems to benefit both the community and the land for decades to come. i_meta_image: article_body: json-ld_article: v_date_published: 2021-04-28 v_date_modified: 2021-04-28 author: p_author_id: 153 t_author: Cynthia Vespia p_author_url: cynthia-vespia.html i_author: 153.png t_author_description: Cynthia Vespia is a content writer/copywriter helping brands connect with their customers through top quality content. She's also a published fantasy author giving villains a purpose and heroes a hard time. p_author_facebook: //www.facebook.com/HubWorksApp p_author_twitter: https://twitter.com/HubworksApp p_author_linkedin: p_author_instagram: feature_snippet: p_type: text t_title: t_description: content: heading: t_title: Supporting Food Local Systems t_description: It's important to support food local systems to benefit both the community and the land for decades to come. image: i_image: supporting-food-local-systems-1619195979-2423.png t_image_description: local regional foods local food systems local food farm school v_image_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/agriculture-asia-bali-cambodia-1793403/ v_image_license: Creative Commons Zero v_video: paragraphs: - t_headline: What are Food Local Systems? t_text: A local food system is a collaboration of sources that seek to enhance the economic, environmental and health or a local area. A network of food processors, food distributors, consumption and waste management, and food production companies come together to anchor local food systems. These are often referred to as "food hubs."

A food hub is determined by the USDA to be any facility that is centrally located which facilitates aggregation, processing, storage, distribution and marketing of locally produced foods. Food hubs provide better access for the smaller food producers to access markets. This increases access for consumers to get healthy, fresh foods especially in under served areas.

The localization of a food system also provides benefits for building wealth in the community. A study on the United States Northeast Ohio region discovered that if 25 percent of agriculture was localized it would create 27,664 new jobs. That means employment for 1 in 8 residents and an economic surge of $4.2 billion with $126 million in state and local taxes. The shift would also provide increased food security and lower the carbon footprint of the region which directly improves public health.

Some of the other roles a local food system plays includes these reasons-

  1. Growth, food processing and food distribution in a local or regional setting will create jobs for the community and continue to sustain them.
  2. Direct marketing channels between through farmer's markets where farmers and consumers come together can boost local income for the farmers.
  3. Small, family-owned farms put their money back into the community by spending on farm-related supplies, machinery and more. A large, industrial farm isn't likely to do that. The smaller farms are also not going to harm the physical surroundings of the community as they engage in safer farming practices.
  4. Farmers markets and food cooperatives are methods to keep finances circulating throughout the localities and offers more growth and vibrancy throughout the communities.
  5. Urban agriculture takes a vacated tract and makes it into something more productive. The change prompts more income to generate within the space and creates more job opportunities for residents.
These are just a few of the financial and economic reasons why local food systems can be beneficial for the communities. p_headline_type: h2 image: i_image: t_description: v_attribution: v_license: video: v_video: yDIwVczAXRg v_video_language: default t_name: What is a Local Food System? t_description: Learn what makes up a local food system and how that affects farmers, consumers, markets, and communities. v_url: //youtu.be/yDIwVczAXRg i_thumbnail: //i.ytimg.com/vi/yDIwVczAXRg/default.jpg i_thumbnail_1x1: //i.ytimg.com/vi/yDIwVczAXRg/default.jpg i_thumbnail_4x3: //i.ytimg.com/vi/yDIwVczAXRg/mqdefault.jpg i_thumbnail_16x9: //i.ytimg.com/vi/yDIwVczAXRg/hqdefault.jpg v_upload_date: 8-25-2014 v_length_minutes: 2 v_length_seconds: 38 v_view_count: 14219 callout_text: - t_title: Economic impact of food local systems t_text: Roles a local food system plays in the economic development of the region-

  1. Growth
  2. Direct marketing
  3. Small farms put their money back into the community.
  4. Farmers markets keep finances circulating within the community.
  5. Urban agriculture produces job opportunities.
- t_headline: Why Supporting Food Local Systems is Important t_text: Local food systems are an important part of the communities they represent. More consumers in the United States are seeking out fresh, healthy options for their food especially as it relates to produce and it is influencing local farms and food producers.

Farmers' markets, community-supported agriculture, and farm-to-table restaurants are growing nationwide to meet the demand for health and freshness. An economic research service has tracked the local regional food systems and took note of the growth. Since 1994 new farmers market locations have grown from 2,000 across the nation to more than 8,000 as of 2019. Here's why....

Increased nutritional value

Local food cannot travel long distances so to sustain the freshness, it's ripened naturally. For example if a fruit or vegetable is picked, it will lose the nutritional benefits after 24 hours. That's a small window to sustain freshness so changes are put in place to preserve the nutritional value.

Local foods are only picked at their peak time of ripeness to retain more of their natural nutrients. A research service in Montclair State University compared the vitamin C between locally grown and imported bushels of broccoli. The results showed the imported broccoli had lost over half of the vitamin C content while the locally grown bushel retained its nutritional value.

Benefits the Environment

CO2 emissions brought on by food mileage are decreased when more locally grown food is eaten. Rich Pirog, a researcher with Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, provided a piece of research that tracked the travel of produce within the United States. It showed a single piece of produce traveled over 1,500 miles as compared to local food source which only accounted for 100 miles or less of travel time.

Seed Diversity

Heirloom fruits and vegetables grown by small farms offer greater diversity to the marketplace. These organic farmers create a food system that is resilient and more sustainable. Their seeds represent centuries of conservation and cultivation used to grow the fruits and vegetables. Each seed is passed down through generations resulting in a relaxed generation that isn't worried about having seed scarcity for local foods.

Supports Local Economy

When money is spent on locally grown food products it circulates throughout the community. During recent economic studies it was noted by researchers that a continued flow of economic stimulus through a region has a universal impact in the community at large. They studied the effects of purchasing vegetables at a supermarket compared to buying them from a local farmers' market. The results showed twice the amount of dollars remained flowing through the community when people bought the local option. It showed positive reinforcement for economic viability at the local level.

Community & Connection

Local food systems have a massive impact strengthening connections throughout the community. When food is grown locally and then distributed to local channels it creates sustained jobs which helps enrich the community. CSA programs, farmers markets and food related co-ops all help to keep food moving locally. Communities remain strong and vibrant with this capability. Plus, these types of environments offer true human connection between growers and consumers. Creativity and values are reflected throughout the markets keeping the history of food alive. p_headline_type: h2 image: i_image: why-supporting-food-local-systems-is-important-1619467941-3076.png t_description: //pixabay.com/photos/mushrooms-porcini-mushrooms-maroni-3686917/ v_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/mushrooms-porcini-mushrooms-maroni-3686917/ v_license: Creative Commons Zero callout_text: - t_title: Why supporting local foods matters t_text: Local foods ...


- t_headline: A Conclusion to Support Food Local Systems t_text: p_headline_type: h2 image: i_image: a-conclusion-to-support-food-local-systems-1619467941-2448.png t_description: //pixabay.com/photos/orange-yellow-fresh-healthy-eating-2387550/ v_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/orange-yellow-fresh-healthy-eating-2387550/ v_license: Creative Commons Zero callout_text: event_body: json-ld_event: t_name: Employee Scheduling for Restaurant Managers t_description: Attendees will learn how create excellent schedules. The class teaches managers how to estimate the number of employees they need to staff their locations; how to accurately forecast their customer demand; how to quickly and accuaratly write and communicate schedules to employees; and how to evaluate the accuracy and optimization of their schedules to make adjustments. v_start_date: 2022-08-08 i_image: p_location_name: Altametrics Online Webinar Course p_address: webinar.hubworks.com?site=altametrics v_price: 10.00 t_offer_description: Priority Registration v_registration_url: webinar.hubworks.com?site=altametrics ---