ROOM AT THE TABLE - Intersight - University at Buffalo
ROOM AT THE TABLE - Intersight - University at Buffalo
ROOM AT THE TABLE - Intersight - University at Buffalo
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the food system. Thriving food systems provide access to food, ensure food<br />
security2 , ensure health and wellness of a community, safeguard economic<br />
viability and sustainability of farming, and where consumers make informed<br />
healthy food choices. A thriving food system might be one th<strong>at</strong> provides all<br />
the safe, healthy, and affordable food needed for a community. It also allows<br />
for reasonable economic returns to producers and laborers, encourages food<br />
business growth, connects the actors within to each other, and does so in an<br />
environmentally sustainable way. A thriving food system is synonymous<br />
with a high level of food security. Counties can provide policies and plans<br />
to support food systems. 3<br />
This report provides a plan for strengthening Erie county’s food<br />
system. Our planning process entailed assessing, describing, analyzing<br />
supply and demand, identifying stakeholders, isol<strong>at</strong>ing strengths and<br />
weaknesses of the food system, and synthesizing this inform<strong>at</strong>ion into<br />
needed action steps.<br />
This report is prepared for the Erie County Department of<br />
Environment and Planning. Presently, American Farmland Trust is working<br />
with the Department to upd<strong>at</strong>e Erie County’s Agriculture and Farmland<br />
Protection Plan from its original 1996 edition. The process of upd<strong>at</strong>ing the<br />
original plan was underway prior to the commencement of this report. To this<br />
end, however, this report will inform both the Department of Environment<br />
and Planning and American Farmland Trust by describing the county’s food<br />
system and providing recommend<strong>at</strong>ions to strengthening it as they cre<strong>at</strong>e<br />
the County’s new farmland protection plan.<br />
The goals th<strong>at</strong> serve as the organizing principles for this plan are to:<br />
1. Ensure economically viable and sustainable agriculture<br />
2. Promote access to local food<br />
3. Ensure lasting food security<br />
4. Promote overall health and wellness of Erie County residents<br />
5. Educ<strong>at</strong>e the general public<br />
10<br />
Food System Components<br />
(Source: Authors)
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