Begin forwarded message: From: Brock Dolman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: February 9, 2007 9:17:49 PM EST Subject: [Permaculture International] 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! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Earn your permaculture design certificate. The Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute offers affordable local classes. http://www.fingerlakespermaculture.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _______________________________________________ [email protected] listserv RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information: http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/fingerlakespermaculture Support the list host by donating to: http://www.mutualaid.org
