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The Issues
Synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Urban sprawl. Loss of biodiversity and wildlife habitat. Negative farm incomes.
These are some of the most obvious challenges facing agriculture today. But in fact they are just the tip of the iceberg: a broad range of additional social, environmental, and economic issues affect our food systems, including farmers’ ongoing struggle for stable and predictable markets, worker health and safety, air and water pollution, animal welfare, rural revitalization, and community food security.
When you factor in that Ontario is losing its ability to feed itself as the food we eat is increasingly imported from elsewhere, it quickly becomes clear that we are at a crossroads in the history of our food production and distribution systems.
At this critical juncture, more and more individuals, businesses, organizations, governments, and institutions are recognizing these issues and realizing the need for widespread change and reform. If farming is going to remain viable in Ontario – from the perspective of farmers, the environment, consumers, and society in general - that change has to start here and now.
Local Food Plus aims to address these issues by helping to develop local sustainable food systems that meet the needs of a range of stakeholders - from farmers and processors looking for a reliable income stream, to institutions committed to purchase locally and ethically, to consumers interested in the health and social benefits of buying and eating food that is grown locally in a socially and environmentally responsible way.
What is Local Sustainable Food?
Simply put, local sustainable food is a long-term, comprehensive strategy whose time has come.
Going beyond organic certification or “buy local” campaigns, local sustainability integrates economic, social, and environmental considerations, and rewards local farmers, both conventional and organic, who employ ecological practices.
Local Food Plus believes a food system is sustainable when it addresses the issues affecting agriculture by being:
- » Financially viable for all stakeholders
- » Primarily local and regional
- » Ecologically responsible in its operations
- » Socially responsible
LFP is more than simply an advocate for the development of local sustainable food systems. We’re committed to developing and applying standards for certification that will effect change throughout our communities. These standards cover five areas including production methods, labour practices, animal welfare, biodiversity and habitat preservation, and on-farm energy use, packaging, and recycling.
By certifying farmers and processors dedicated to adopting sustainable agricultural practices, LFP gives these farmers and processors a way to differentiate themselves in a competitive market.
And by bringing these farmers and processors to the table with institutions and other purchasers that are willing to make the move to local sustainable food, LFP helps to create long-term, mutually-beneficial relationships.
Benefits
Adopting local sustainable food systems benefits stakeholders from across the food production, distribution, and consumption spectrum.
In addition to creating a local food system that both builds capacity for agricultural practices that are viable for the long term and supports ecological and community health, sustainability offers:
- » Farmers a way to generate revenues that support land values and livelihood. By selling high value products locally and directly, farmers can secure stable markets by meeting the demand for local sustainable products
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- » Farmers a strategy in addition to certifying organic (which can be difficult to do in southern Ontario's climate) for increasing their earnings and allowing them to be better stewards of the land
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- » Consumers access to fresh local sustainable food products and educates them about environmentally and socially responsible farm management practices beyond those identified by organic
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- » Institutions such as Ontario universities the opportunity to take the lead in local sustainable food procurement as part of their commitment to progressive and environmentally-friendly policies across all areas of campus life
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