The Application of Modern Biotechnology To Food and Agriculture: A

A Food Systems Approach to A Food Systems Approach to Improving Human Nutrition and HealthImproving Human Nutrition and Health

Christine McCullum-Gomez, PhD, RD, LDChristine McCullum-Gomez, PhD, RD, LDAssistant Professor of Health Promotion Assistant Professor of Health Promotion

& Behavioral Sciences& Behavioral SciencesUniversity of Texas – Houston, School of Public HealthUniversity of Texas – Houston, School of Public Health

July 23July 23rdrd 2005 2005

2005 SNE Annual Conference2005 SNE Annual Conference

Leading the Way in Nutrition and HealthLeading the Way in Nutrition and Health

Orlando, Florida

“What is a food system?”

-------- Government/Public Policies ----------

Natural Resources

Society & Technological Culture Systems

Production Production

Processing Processing Recycling & CompostingRecycling & Composting

Food SystemFood System

DistributionDistribution Use Use AccessAccess

Adapted from: Dahlberg, K. Local and regional food systems. A key to healthy cities. Adapted from: Dahlberg, K. Local and regional food systems. A key to healthy cities. Available at: Available at: http://homepages.wmich.edu/~dahlberg/F14.pdfhttp://homepages.wmich.edu/~dahlberg/F14.pdf

Globalization of the Food SystemGlobalization of the Food System

Change in the food system has been driven by wider economic forces:

Changes on the land which are transforming what Changes on the land which are transforming what agriculture produces and how;agriculture produces and how;

A rapid industry concentration of control over the A rapid industry concentration of control over the entire food chain, e.g., in the Canadian food chain:entire food chain, e.g., in the Canadian food chain:

- - 4 companies control the seed market; 4 companies control the seed market;

- - 4 companies dominate beef packing; 4 companies dominate beef packing; - 4 companies mill 80% of Canadian flour;4 companies mill 80% of Canadian flour;- 5 companies control food retailing 5 companies control food retailing

Source: Lang, T, Heasman, M. Food Wars: The Global Battle for Mouths, Minds, and Markets. Earthscan Publications, Sterling, VA; 2004.

Change in the food system has been driven by wider economic forces (cont’d):

Changes in both the scale & technology of food Changes in both the scale & technology of food factories;factories;

A new emphasis on product development, A new emphasis on product development, branding and marketing;branding and marketing;

New levels of control by food retailing & service New levels of control by food retailing & service over the rest of the food economy (e.g., Walmart over the rest of the food economy (e.g., Walmart (U.S.) was the world’s top grocery retailer in 2004 (U.S.) was the world’s top grocery retailer in 2004 with $244.5 billion in annual sales – with $244.5 billion in annual sales – Supermarket Supermarket NewsNews 12/29/03) 12/29/03)


Competing Models for Patterns of Food Consumption Dominant Model - Alternative Model -

GlobalizationGlobalization Urban/rural divisionsUrban/rural divisions Long trade routesLong trade routes Non-renewable energyNon-renewable energy Few market playersFew market players Costs externalizedCosts externalized MonocultureMonoculture One-track agricultureOne-track agriculture Food from factoriesFood from factories Private intellectual propertyPrivate intellectual property

LocalizationLocalization Urban/rural partnershipsUrban/rural partnerships Short trade routesShort trade routes Re-useable energyRe-useable energy Multiple playersMultiple players Costs internalizedCosts internalized BiodiversityBiodiversity Multifunctional agricultureMultifunctional agriculture Food from the landFood from the land Common/public goodsCommon/public goods


Competing Models for Patterns of Food Consumption Dominant Model - Alternative Model -

GlobalizationGlobalization Urban/rural divisionsUrban/rural divisions Long trade routesLong trade routes Non-renewable energyNon-renewable energy Few market playersFew market players Costs externalizedCosts externalized MonocultureMonoculture One-track agricultureOne-track agriculture Food from factoriesFood from factories Private intellectual propertyPrivate intellectual property

LocalizationLocalization Urban/rural partnershipsUrban/rural partnerships Short trade routesShort trade routes Re-useable energyRe-useable energy Multiple playersMultiple players Costs internalizedCosts internalized BiodiversityBiodiversity Multifunctional agricultureMultifunctional agriculture Food from the landFood from the land Common/public goodsCommon/public goods


‘Multifunctionality’ of Agriculture

‘‘Multifunctionality’ is the notion that in addition to Multifunctionality’ is the notion that in addition to production of food and fiber, agriculture has a production of food and fiber, agriculture has a number of other, mostly non-commodity outputs number of other, mostly non-commodity outputs (e.g., environmental protection, clean water, flood (e.g., environmental protection, clean water, flood control, maintenance of landscape or habitat, rural control, maintenance of landscape or habitat, rural development, maintenance of agricultural heritage, development, maintenance of agricultural heritage, etc….) etc….)

Buttel, F. Internalizing the societal costs of agricultural production. Plant Physiology 2003;133:1656-1665.

Sustainability

“ “ Society’s ability to shape its economic and social Society’s ability to shape its economic and social systems to maintain both natural resources and systems to maintain both natural resources and human life.”human life.”

Source:Source: Position of the American Dietetic Association: Addressing world Position of the American Dietetic Association: Addressing world hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity. hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity. J Am Diet AssocJ Am Diet Assoc 2003;103:1046-1047.2003;103:1046-1047.

Summary of key trends threatening the sustainability of the US food system

EconomicEconomic SocialSocial EnvironmentalEnvironmental

ProductionProduction -Rapid conversion Rapid conversion of prime farmlandof prime farmland- 84% of farm 84% of farm household income household income earned off-farmearned off-farm- Increasing number Increasing number of farms report a of farms report a lossloss

-52% of 52% of farmworkers are farmworkers are illegalillegal- Age of farm Age of farm operators operators increasing; increasing; declining entry declining entry of young farmersof young farmers

-Depletion of topsoil Depletion of topsoil exceeds regenerationexceeds regeneration- Rate of groundwater Rate of groundwater withdrawl exceeding withdrawl exceeding recharge in major recharge in major agricultural regionsagricultural regions- Loss to pests Loss to pests increasingincreasing- Reduction in genetic Reduction in genetic diversitydiversity

Source: Heller, M.C., Keoleian, GA. Assessing the sustainability of the US food system:A life cycle perspective. Agricultural Systems 2003;76:1007-1041

Summary of key trends threatening the sustainability of the US food system (cont’d)


ConsumptionConsumption -Costs of diet-Costs of diet-related diseasesrelated diseases

increasingincreasing

- Obesity rates Obesity rates risingrising- Diet deviates Diet deviates from nutritional from nutritional recommendationsrecommendations

- 26% of edible food 26% of edible food wastedwasted


Summary of key trends threatening the sustainability of the US food system (cont’d)


Total SystemTotal System -Marketing is Marketing is 80% of food bill80% of food bill- Industry Industry consolidation consolidation threatens market threatens market competitioncompetition

- Relation with Relation with food and its origin food and its origin has been losthas been lost

- Heavy reliance on Heavy reliance on fossil fuel/energyfossil fuel/energy- 7.3 units of energy 7.3 units of energy consumed to produce consumed to produce one unit of energyone unit of energy- Others estimate 10 Others estimate 10 units of energy per units of energy per unit of output food unit of output food energy (Pimental & energy (Pimental & Pimental 1996a); Pimental 1996a); (Hall et al, 1986) (Hall et al, 1986)


The Industrial Food System & Public Health

Pollution from factory farms is harming the health of both Pollution from factory farms is harming the health of both workers and residents living downstream or downwind from workers and residents living downstream or downwind from these operations.these operations.

New strains of foodborne pathogens (e.g., New strains of foodborne pathogens (e.g., ListeriaListeria & & toxigenic toxigenic E. coliE. coli) have emerged in recent years, and long ) have emerged in recent years, and long recognized pathogens have been causing more widespread recognized pathogens have been causing more widespread harmharm

The non-medical use of antibiotics in animal agriculture may The non-medical use of antibiotics in animal agriculture may be threatening the effectiveness of antibiotics in treating be threatening the effectiveness of antibiotics in treating human disease by creating selective pressure for the human disease by creating selective pressure for the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteriaemergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria

Source: Horrigan, L, Lawrence, RS, Walker, P. How sustainable agriculture can address the environmental and human health harms of industrial agriculture. Environmental Health Perspectives 2002;110(5):445-456.

The Industrial Food System & Public Health

For more information, see the following American Public For more information, see the following American Public Health Association (APHA) Resolutions:Health Association (APHA) Resolutions:

1) Helping Preserve Antibiotic Effectiveness by Stimulating 1) Helping Preserve Antibiotic Effectiveness by Stimulating Demand for Meats Produced without Excessive AntibioticsDemand for Meats Produced without Excessive Antibiotics (Policy Number: 2004-13)(Policy Number: 2004-13)

http://www.apha.org/legislative/policy/2004/2004-13.pdfhttp://www.apha.org/legislative/policy/2004/2004-13.pdf

2) 2) Precautionary Moratorium on New Concentrated Animal Precautionary Moratorium on New Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Feeding Operations (Policy Number: 20037)(Policy Number: 20037)

http://www.apha.org/legislative/policy/2003/2003-007.pdfhttp://www.apha.org/legislative/policy/2003/2003-007.pdf

Sustainable Agriculture

““Sustainable agriculture is a model of social Sustainable agriculture is a model of social and economic organization based on an and economic organization based on an equitable and participatory vision of equitable and participatory vision of development which recognizes the development which recognizes the environment and natural resources as the environment and natural resources as the foundation of economic activity.”foundation of economic activity.”

Madden, JP, Chaplowe, SG, eds. Madden, JP, Chaplowe, SG, eds. For All Generations: Making World For All Generations: Making World Agriculture More Sustainable.Agriculture More Sustainable. Glendale, CA: World Sustainable Glendale, CA: World Sustainable Agriculture Association; 1997.Agriculture Association; 1997.

Sustainable Agriculture (cont’d)

““Agriculture is sustainable when it is Agriculture is sustainable when it is ecologically sound, economically viable, ecologically sound, economically viable, socially just, culturally appropriate, and socially just, culturally appropriate, and based on a holistic scientific approach.”based on a holistic scientific approach.”

Madden, JP, Chaplowe, SG, eds. Madden, JP, Chaplowe, SG, eds. For All Generations: Making World For All Generations: Making World Agriculture More Sustainable.Agriculture More Sustainable. Glendale, CA: World Sustainable Glendale, CA: World Sustainable Agriculture Association; 1997.Agriculture Association; 1997.

Community Food System

““A collaborative effort to build more locally-based, A collaborative effort to build more locally-based, self-reliant food economies – one in which self-reliant food economies – one in which sustainable food production, processing, sustainable food production, processing, distribution, and consumption is integrated to distribution, and consumption is integrated to enhance the economic, environmental, and social enhance the economic, environmental, and social health of a particular place.”health of a particular place.”

Source: Feenstra, G.W. Creating space for sustainable food systems: Lessons from the field. Agriculture and Human Values 2002;19:99-106.

3-Stage Continuum to Improve Nutrition and Health Based on a Food Systems Approach

Stage 1: Initial Food Systems ChangeStage 1: Initial Food Systems Change

Stage 2: Food Systems in TransitionStage 2: Food Systems in Transition

Stage 3: Food Systems Redesign for Stage 3: Food Systems Redesign for SustainabilitySustainability

Adapted from: McCullum, C., Desjardins, E, Kraak, V. et al. Evidence-based strategies to build community food security. J Am Diet Assoc 2005;105(2):278-283.

3-Stage Continuum to Improve Nutrition and Health Based on a Food Systems Approach Stage 1: Initial Food Systems ChangeStage 1: Initial Food Systems Change

- Counsel clients to maximize access to existing - Counsel clients to maximize access to existing programs providing food and nutrition assistance, programs providing food and nutrition assistance, social services, and job trainingsocial services, and job training

- Identify food quality and price inequities in low-- Identify food quality and price inequities in low-income neighborhoods income neighborhoods

- Educate consumers & institutions about the benefits - Educate consumers & institutions about the benefits of organically-produced and locally-grown foodsof organically-produced and locally-grown foods

Benefits of Organically-Produced and Locally-Grown Foods

2-10 fold energy savings on switching to low-input/ 2-10 fold energy savings on switching to low-input/ organic agriculture (1).organic agriculture (1).

5-15% global fossil fuel emissions offset by 5-15% global fossil fuel emissions offset by sequestration of carbon in organically managed soils sequestration of carbon in organically managed soils (1). (1).

Purchasing locally-grown foods protects the Purchasing locally-grown foods protects the environment by reducing use of fossil fuel and environment by reducing use of fossil fuel and packing materials (2).packing materials (2).

Organic farming practices reduce groundwater Organic farming practices reduce groundwater pollution from nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, pollution from nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, and improve soil fertility (3).and improve soil fertility (3).


Results of a Washington state study showed that Results of a Washington state study showed that organic apple production provided similar yields, organic apple production provided similar yields, better tasting fruit, higher profitability, and was better tasting fruit, higher profitability, and was more environmentally sound and energy efficient more environmentally sound and energy efficient than apples produced by conventional practices than apples produced by conventional practices (4).(4).

Statistically significant differences reported in Statistically significant differences reported in antioxidant levels in organic produce compared to antioxidant levels in organic produce compared to conventional produce (in 13 out of 15 cases) (5).conventional produce (in 13 out of 15 cases) (5).


Organic systems produced better yields of corn and Organic systems produced better yields of corn and soybeans under severe drought conditions and also soybeans under severe drought conditions and also gave better environmental stability under flood gave better environmental stability under flood conditions (6).conditions (6).

Scientists from Iowa State University reported that Scientists from Iowa State University reported that by the 3by the 3rdrd year, there was no significant difference year, there was no significant difference between organic and conventional yields (soybeans between organic and conventional yields (soybeans and corn). And by the 4and corn). And by the 4thth year, organic soybeans and year, organic soybeans and corn exceeded conventional yields (7).corn exceeded conventional yields (7).

“Growing an array of crops remains one of the hallmarks of successful organic farming. Diverse rotations improve soil fertility, break up pest cycles and provide many marketing options.” – Photo by Jerry DeWitt

Source: Sustainable Agriculture Network. Opportunities in Agriculture: Transitioning to Organic Production. Sustainable Agriculture Network, The National Outreach Arm of USDA-SARE; October 2003.


Organically-produced foods contain fewer pesticide Organically-produced foods contain fewer pesticide residues (1/3 as many) compared to conventionally-residues (1/3 as many) compared to conventionally-grown foods (8).grown foods (8).

Organic agriculture is important to the food security Organic agriculture is important to the food security of poor farmers & peasants located in of poor farmers & peasants located in environmentally fragile or market-marginalized areas. environmentally fragile or market-marginalized areas. For example, Cuba reached self-sufficiency in fruits For example, Cuba reached self-sufficiency in fruits and vegetables through organic agriculture: about and vegetables through organic agriculture: about 7,000 organic urban gardens produce almost 20 kg of 7,000 organic urban gardens produce almost 20 kg of food per square meter (9).food per square meter (9).

Benefits of Organically-Produced

and Locally-Grown Foods

Organic systems in Southwest Ethiopia have Organic systems in Southwest Ethiopia have allowed people once dependent on food aid to allowed people once dependent on food aid to increase their yields by 60%, enough food to feed increase their yields by 60%, enough food to feed themselves and even have surplus to sell at local themselves and even have surplus to sell at local markets (9).markets (9).

Buying food in local farmers’ markets generates Buying food in local farmers’ markets generates twice as much for the local economy than buying twice as much for the local economy than buying food in supermarkets (1).food in supermarkets (1).

Money spent with a local supplier is worth 4 times Money spent with a local supplier is worth 4 times as much as money spent with a non-local supplier as much as money spent with a non-local supplier (1).(1).

References(1) The Independent Science Panel: Promotion of Science for (1) The Independent Science Panel: Promotion of Science for

the Public Good; 2005. Available at: the Public Good; 2005. Available at: http://www.http://www.indspindsp.org/.org/SustainableWorldInitiativeSustainableWorldInitiative..phpphp

(2) Walsh, J, de Beaufort, N. Dietitians and local farmers: A (2) Walsh, J, de Beaufort, N. Dietitians and local farmers: A unique alliance to change the way people think about food. unique alliance to change the way people think about food. Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Dietetic Practice Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group NewsletterGroup Newsletter; Spring 2003:1-3.; Spring 2003:1-3.

(3) Greene, C, Kremen A. (3) Greene, C, Kremen A. US Organic Farming in 2000-2001. US Organic Farming in 2000-2001. Adoption of Certified SystemsAdoption of Certified Systems. Washington, DC: US . Washington, DC: US Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Resource Economics Division; 2003.Resource Economics Division; 2003.

(4) Baker, BP, Benbrook, CM, Groth, E, Lutz Benbrook, K.(4) Baker, BP, Benbrook, CM, Groth, E, Lutz Benbrook, K. Pesticide residues in conventional, integrated pest Pesticide residues in conventional, integrated pest

management (IPM)-grown and organic foods: insights management (IPM)-grown and organic foods: insights from three US data sets. from three US data sets. Food Additives and ContaminantsFood Additives and Contaminants 2002;19(5):427-446.2002;19(5):427-446.

References (5) Reganold, JP, et al. Sustainability of three apple production (5) Reganold, JP, et al. Sustainability of three apple production systems. systems. NatureNature 2001;410:926-30. 2001;410:926-30.(6) Benbrook, C. (6) Benbrook, C. Elevating Antioxidant Levels in Foods Through Elevating Antioxidant Levels in Foods Through Organic Farming and Food ProcessingOrganic Farming and Food Processing. January 2005. Available . January 2005. Available at: http:// at: http:// www.organic-center.org..(7) Lotter, DW, Seidel, R, Liebhart, W. The performance of (7) Lotter, DW, Seidel, R, Liebhart, W. The performance of organic and conventional cropping systems in an extreme climate organic and conventional cropping systems in an extreme climate year. year. American Journal of Alternative AgricultureAmerican Journal of Alternative Agriculture 2003;18(3):146- 2003;18(3):146-154.154.(8) Delate, K, Cambardella, CA. Organic production. (8) Delate, K, Cambardella, CA. Organic production. Agroecosystem performance during transition to certified organic Agroecosystem performance during transition to certified organic grain production. grain production. Agronomy JournalAgronomy Journal 2004;96:1288-1298. 2004;96:1288-1298.(9) Hattam, C. Organic Agriculture and Sustainable Agriculture (9) Hattam, C. Organic Agriculture and Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development. Food and Agriculture Organization; May and Rural Development. Food and Agriculture Organization; May 2002. Available at: http://www.fao.org/organicag/doc/oa_sard.htm2002. Available at: http://www.fao.org/organicag/doc/oa_sard.htm


Stage 2: Food Systems in TransitionStage 2: Food Systems in Transition- - Connect emergency food programs with local urban Connect emergency food programs with local urban

agriculture projects (e.g., community supported agriculture projects (e.g., community supported agriculture (CSA) & urban gardens).agriculture (CSA) & urban gardens).

-- Create multi-sector partnerships and networks (e.g., Create multi-sector partnerships and networks (e.g., farm to school & farm to hospital programs, farm to school & farm to hospital programs, school/community garden projects, WIC and Seniors school/community garden projects, WIC and Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Programs)Farmers Market Nutrition Programs)

- Facilitate participatory decision-making and policy-Facilitate participatory decision-making and policy-development through serving on food policy councils development through serving on food policy councils and organizing community mapping processes and and organizing community mapping processes and multi-stakeholder workshopsmulti-stakeholder workshops


Stage 2: Food Systems in TransitionStage 2: Food Systems in Transition- Create multi-sector partnerships and networksCreate multi-sector partnerships and networks

Example # 1: “Gardens for Growing Healthy Communities”Example # 1: “Gardens for Growing Healthy Communities” - A partnership between Denver-based community organizations, the - A partnership between Denver-based community organizations, the

University of Colorado, & community residentsUniversity of Colorado, & community residents - The goal of the project is to understand the role of community - The goal of the project is to understand the role of community

gardens as a catalyst for broader neighborhood improvements, gardens as a catalyst for broader neighborhood improvements, including physical activity and dietary patterns.including physical activity and dietary patterns.

- Provides access to fresh organic produce, opportunities for physical - Provides access to fresh organic produce, opportunities for physical activity, a connection to nature, & neighborhood meeting places.activity, a connection to nature, & neighborhood meeting places.

Source: Aboelata, MJ., et al. The Built Environment and Health: 11 Profiles of Neighborhood Transformation, Oakland, CA: The Prevention Institute; 2004.

Gardens for Growing Healthy CommunitiesGardens for Growing Healthy Communities


Stage 2: Food Systems in TransitionStage 2: Food Systems in Transition- Create multi-sector partnerships and networksCreate multi-sector partnerships and networks

Example # 2: “Gardens for Growing Healthy Example # 2: “Gardens for Growing Healthy Communities”Communities” (cont’d)(cont’d)

- Preliminary findings indicate that resident gardeners’ increase - Preliminary findings indicate that resident gardeners’ increase physical activity levels, fruit and vegetable consumption, social physical activity levels, fruit and vegetable consumption, social connectedness (through gardening circles) as well as stress reliefconnectedness (through gardening circles) as well as stress relief

- Gardeners also share recipes for healthy salsas & other foods - Gardeners also share recipes for healthy salsas & other foods prepared from the gardens, which further encourage fruit and prepared from the gardens, which further encourage fruit and vegetable consumption.vegetable consumption.

Source: Aboelata, MJ., et al. The Built Environment and Health: 11 Profiles of Neighborhood Transformation, Oakland, CA: The Prevention Institute; 2004.

Stage 2: Food Systems in Transition Create multi-sector partnerships and networksCreate multi-sector partnerships and networks

Example # 2: “Farm to School Programs”Example # 2: “Farm to School Programs” -Farm to school programs provide local markets for -Farm to school programs provide local markets for

farmers, integrate education about food & farming farmers, integrate education about food & farming issues into the school curriculum, & serve local foods issues into the school curriculum, & serve local foods in the school cafeteria.in the school cafeteria.

- Lincoln Elementary School in Olympia, Washington - Lincoln Elementary School in Olympia, Washington features an “Organic Choices Salad Bar,” and features an “Organic Choices Salad Bar,” and purchases directly from farmers. The program purchases directly from farmers. The program increased fruit and vegetable servings by 27% by staff increased fruit and vegetable servings by 27% by staff and students.and students.

Source: Sanger, K, Zenz. L. Farm-to-Cafeteria Connections: Marketing Opportunities for Small Farmers in Washington State. Olympia, WA: Washington State Dept. of Agriculture; 2004.


Stage 2: Food Systems in TransitionStage 2: Food Systems in Transition- - Create multi-sector partnerships and networks Create multi-sector partnerships and networks

Example # 3: “Farm to Hospital Programs”Example # 3: “Farm to Hospital Programs” - - Farmers markets and farm stands operate Farmers markets and farm stands operate

successfully at various medical facilities throughout successfully at various medical facilities throughout the US, including Duke University Medical Center in the US, including Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina, Allen Memorial Hospital in Iowa, North Carolina, Allen Memorial Hospital in Iowa, and at 14 Kaiser Permanente facilities in California, and at 14 Kaiser Permanente facilities in California, Hawaii, and Oregon, some of which serve local-Hawaii, and Oregon, some of which serve local-income communities in addition to patients and staff.income communities in addition to patients and staff.

Source: Kulick, M. Healthy Food, Healthy Hospitals, Healthy Communities. Minneapolis, MN: Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy; May 2005. Available at: http://www.iatp.org/foodandhealth


Stage 2: Food Systems in Transition Stage 2: Food Systems in Transition - Create multi-sector partnerships and networks- Create multi-sector partnerships and networks

Example # 3: “Farm to Hospital Programs”Example # 3: “Farm to Hospital Programs” - Cancer Treatment Centers of America serves patients in - Cancer Treatment Centers of America serves patients in

facilities located in Illinois and Oklahoma a menu of largely facilities located in Illinois and Oklahoma a menu of largely certified organic food to optimize nutrition and avoid certified organic food to optimize nutrition and avoid environmental toxins.environmental toxins.

- In Vermont, Fletcher Allen Medical Center has a new patient - In Vermont, Fletcher Allen Medical Center has a new patient menu that focuses on the use of local, fresh food to improve menu that focuses on the use of local, fresh food to improve patient health and support local businesses.patient health and support local businesses.

Source: Kulick, M. Healthy Food, Healthy Hospitals, Healthy Communities. Minneapolis, MN: Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy; May 2005. Available at: http://www.iatp.org/foodandhealth


Stage 2: Food Systems in TransitionStage 2: Food Systems in Transition- Facilitate participatory decision-making and policy Facilitate participatory decision-making and policy

development through serving on food policy councils and development through serving on food policy councils and organizing community-mapping processes and multi-organizing community-mapping processes and multi-stakeholder workshops.stakeholder workshops.

Food Policy CouncilFood Policy Council – An officially sanctioned body – An officially sanctioned body

representing various segments of a state, city, or local food representing various segments of a state, city, or local food system and is compromised of a wide range of interests related system and is compromised of a wide range of interests related

to agriculture, food, nutrition and health.to agriculture, food, nutrition and health. The goal is to foster The goal is to foster a comprehensive and systematic examination of agriculture, a comprehensive and systematic examination of agriculture, food, nutrition and health policies.food, nutrition and health policies.

Source: Hamilton, ND. Putting a face on our food: How state and local food policies can promote the new agriculture. Drake J Agricultural Law. 2002; 7:407-443.


Stage 2: Food Systems in TransitionStage 2: Food Systems in Transition- Examples of Food Policy CouncilsExamples of Food Policy Councils

State –State – Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, and Washington

City/CountyCity/County – Berkeley, CA; Chicago, IL: Knoxville, TN; – Berkeley, CA; Chicago, IL: Knoxville, TN; Los Angeles, CA; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN; New York, Los Angeles, CA; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN; New York, NY (under formation); Portland, OR; Salina, KS; Toronto, NY (under formation); Portland, OR; Salina, KS; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Vancouver, British Columbia, CanadaOntario, Canada; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Adapted from: The State and Local Food Policy Council Initiative: Drake University Agricultural Law Center and the USDA Risk Management Agency 2003-2004 and http://www.statefoodpolicy.org/profiles.htm.


Stage 2: Food Systems in TransitionStage 2: Food Systems in Transition- Community-mapping processes – Community-mapping processes –

- Diverse food system stakeholders – inc. urban planners, food producers, food Diverse food system stakeholders – inc. urban planners, food producers, food retailers, volunteers in food access projects, food insecure individuals, and retailers, volunteers in food access projects, food insecure individuals, and other concerned citizens – convene to engage in a process that examines how a other concerned citizens – convene to engage in a process that examines how a local community food system can meet household and community needs by local community food system can meet household and community needs by identifying local food resources, food prices, transportation options, & identifying local food resources, food prices, transportation options, & employment opportunities.employment opportunities.


Stage 2: Food Systems in Transition Stage 2: Food Systems in Transition – – community mapping processescommunity mapping processes

Example 1: Portland-Multnomah County Food Policy CouncilExample 1: Portland-Multnomah County Food Policy Council – – Partnered with the regional government to create a geographical Partnered with the regional government to create a geographical

information system (GIS) map of grocery stores, farmers’ markets, information system (GIS) map of grocery stores, farmers’ markets, emergency food locations, and community gardens in the county.emergency food locations, and community gardens in the county.

Source:Source: Portland-Multnomah Food Policy Council. Portland-Multnomah Food Policy Council. Food Policy Recommendations. Portland-Food Policy Recommendations. Portland-Multnomah Food Policy Council.Multnomah Food Policy Council. Multnomah County, City of Portland, Office of Sustainable Multnomah County, City of Portland, Office of Sustainable Development, Portland, Oregon; 2003.Development, Portland, Oregon; 2003.


Stage 2: Food Systems in Transition – Stage 2: Food Systems in Transition – - community mapping processescommunity mapping processes

Example 2: Cuba’s Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Urban Example 2: Cuba’s Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Urban AgricultureAgriculture

Used mapping to identify where food needs are concentrated compared to Used mapping to identify where food needs are concentrated compared to the land base for production. One of their maps identifies different zones in the land base for production. One of their maps identifies different zones in the city. With the zones closer to the Havana core, they aim to grow food the city. With the zones closer to the Havana core, they aim to grow food that is difficult to transport, such as lettuce. In the zones on the periphery, that is difficult to transport, such as lettuce. In the zones on the periphery, they plan to grow more storable foods, such as potatoes and squash.they plan to grow more storable foods, such as potatoes and squash.

Source:Source: Common Ground. Common Ground. Mapping Food Matters: A Resource on Place-Based Food Mapping Food Matters: A Resource on Place-Based Food System Mapping.System Mapping. Victoria, British Columbia, Canada: Common Ground & Victoria Victoria, British Columbia, Canada: Common Ground & Victoria Chapter of Oxfam Canada; 2001.Chapter of Oxfam Canada; 2001.


Stage 3: Food Systems Redesign for Stage 3: Food Systems Redesign for SustainabilitySustainability

- Advocate for minimum wage increase and more - Advocate for minimum wage increase and more affordable housing.affordable housing.

- Advocate for food labeling standards about product Advocate for food labeling standards about product history (e.g., place of origin, organic certified, Fair history (e.g., place of origin, organic certified, Fair Trade certified)Trade certified)


Stage 3: Food Systems Redesign for SustainabilityStage 3: Food Systems Redesign for Sustainability Fair TradeFair Trade – an innovative, market based approach to sustainable – an innovative, market based approach to sustainable

development that helps family farmers in developing countries gain development that helps family farmers in developing countries gain direct access to international markets. The Fair Trade Certified label direct access to international markets. The Fair Trade Certified label guarantees that farmers and workers receive a fair price for their guarantees that farmers and workers receive a fair price for their product. The Fair Trade System benefits over 800,000 farmers product. The Fair Trade System benefits over 800,000 farmers organized into cooperatives and unions in 48 countries.organized into cooperatives and unions in 48 countries.

In the US, In the US, TransFair USATransFair USA places the “Fair Trade Certified” label on places the “Fair Trade Certified” label on

coffee, tea, cocoa, bananas, and other fruits. coffee, tea, cocoa, bananas, and other fruits.

For more information, see: http://www.transfairusa.org

By choosing this Fair Trade Certified product, you are directly supporting a better life for farming families through fair prices, direct trade, community development, and environmental stewardship.

http://www.fairtradecertified.org

Source: Time Magazine. March 8th 2004 (special insert)

3-Stage Continuum to Build Community Food Security Based on a Food Systems Approach

Stage 3: Food Systems Redesign for Sustainability (cont’d)Stage 3: Food Systems Redesign for Sustainability (cont’d)

Through participatory decision-making & policy development, mobilize Through participatory decision-making & policy development, mobilize governments & communities to institutionalize:governments & communities to institutionalize:

(1) land use policies that facilitate large-scale urban agriculture; (1) land use policies that facilitate large-scale urban agriculture; (2) market promotion and subsidizes as a way to increase a community’s (2) market promotion and subsidizes as a way to increase a community’s

food reliance, achieve nutritional goals, and promote environmental food reliance, achieve nutritional goals, and promote environmental conservation; and conservation; and

(3) tax incentives and financing mechanisms to attract local food businesses (3) tax incentives and financing mechanisms to attract local food businesses to low-income neighborhoods.to low-income neighborhoods.

Closing Quotes from FARM AID (www.farmaid.org):

“If there is hope for family farmers in America, then there is hope yet for America.” – John Mellencamp, Board Member

“The heart of America is the family farmer…. It’s worth fighting for as long as we have breath. Because I think we’ll lose a lot more than just the family farmer if we lose the family farm.” – Dave Matthews, Board Member

THE END

Technology

The Application of Modern Biotechnology To Food and Agriculture: A