Eating Locally and Sustainable Food Systems. An Introduction to Living the Green Life

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1 Eating Locally and Sustainable Food Systems An Introduction to Living the Green Life 1

Additional Resources and References Page 14 Prize Page 15-16 This Healthy Eating Tip of The Month was created by Angela Bollini, UMHHC Dietetic

2 Table of Contents Introduction Page 3 Definition Page 4 Why Local? Page 5-7 The Dilemma Page 8 Addressing Sustainability Dilemma Page 9-10 Organic Agriculture Page 11 SARE Page 12 What s in the News Page 13 Additional Resources and References Page 14 Prize Page This Healthy Eating Tip of The Month was created by Angela Bollini, UMHHC Dietetic Intern 2012, with love for our Earth For more information, contact: Patient Food and Nutrition Services Nutrition Counseling Center UH Room # 2A-237 (second floor) 1500 E. Medical Center Drive Ann Arbor, MI ( ) 2

Definitions Sustainable Food Systems and Local Foods A.

food to meet current food needs while maintaining healthy ecosystems that can also provide food for generations to come with

A sustainable food system also encourages local production and distribution infrastructures and makes nutritious food

3 Definitions Sustainable Food Systems and Local Foods A. Sustainable Food Production System (SFPS) is defined by the American Public Health Association as: One that provides healthy food to meet current food needs while maintaining healthy ecosystems that can also provide food for generations to come with minimal negative impact to the environment. A sustainable food system also encourages local production and distribution infrastructures and makes nutritious food available, accessible, and affordable to all. There is no generally accepted definition of what is a local food (USDA). According to the 2008 Farm Act, a locally or regionally produced agricultural food product is less than 400 miles from its origin, or within the state which it was produced. 3

4 Why Buy Local? Supports the local economy and keeps the money spent within the community Meaning, the money is more likely to stick around and goes to other people and businesses in the community For example, if a farmer s market attracts customers downtown, other businesses downtown are likely to get more shoppers in their stores. Creates jobs in the local labor markets Farmers make more money because they cut out the middle man Reduces food safety risk by not having a centralized production plant Preserves farm land by encouraging new residential communities around farms Develops a social network within a community Preserves a wider genetic diversity of crops Preserves the quality of the environment Many farmers may drive to an urban area to sell crops, making them more available to people in the city that may have less access to fresh produce or may have to pay more at supermarkets to have it shipped in. 4

5 Why Buy Local? Nutritional Benefits Local Foods Offer Items That Are: By making healthier foods more available, people make healthier choices. Farm to school initiatives introduce healthier food options to schools and are associated with healthier diet choices. These initiatives also increase the availability, reduce price and provide purchasing information that are effective strategies to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in schools. Studies have shown children exposed to a garden-based education curriculum have an increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. Produce sold by local farmers has more nutrients because it travels a shorter distances and takes less time to get to you. Over time, some nutrients can break down in food, especially if they are exposed to things like light or changes in temperature. This is why foods from a local farmer picked more recently have more nutrients, when compared to the same produce at the grocery store. 5

In 2008, more than 6.7million households were food insecure, meaning that they have limited or uncertain availability of safe, healthy foods in a normal way.

6 Why Buy Local? Food Security Food security is defined by the World Health Organization as: when all people at all time have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life. In 2008, more than 6.7million households were food insecure, meaning that they have limited or uncertain availability of safe, healthy foods in a normal way. Farmer s markets can help with food security because they are able to accept benefits from State and Federal food and nutrition programs like the Seniors Farmer s Market Program, WIC Farmer s Market Program and food stamps. Farmer s markets also make fresh foods available, especially to areas that may not have easy access to fresh foods. To the right is a picture of the Eastern Market, a farmer s market in downtown Detroit. 6

The amount of transportation pollution depends on: Mode of transportation Load sizes Fuel type Trip frequency The CO2 transportation

7 Why Buy Local? When foods travel shorter distances, less fuel and energy is used to transport them to their destinations. This means less pollution. The amount of transportation pollution depends on: Mode of transportation Load sizes Fuel type Trip frequency The CO2 transportation emissions from imported foods are greater than those from local foods. There are lots of other factors that can impact the amount of energy used and the pollution made from producing foods. Some to think about include: Production Processing Storage Packaging Fertilizers Crop yields 7

8 The Dilemma By 2050 there are expected to be 9 billion people on Earth. Most of this growth will come from developing countries around the world that already have problems with food insecurity. With the increase in population and the need to improve dietary standards in developing countries, food will be in high demand. This could raise the cost of certain food items. To meet nutrition goals, the United Nations estimated that global food demands and the demand for water irrigation will double by 2050 to grow all necessary crops. The demand for forest products is also estimated to increase 40% by Global climate change will only add to the stress on the global food system. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) published a study reporting that the impact of climate change on agriculture will increase the price of the world s most important agricultural crops: rice, wheat, corn and soybeans. The increase in crop prices will result in higher costs for feed, animal products and meats. Higher temperatures will reduce the amount of crops produced. The change in the amount and time of rain will also reduce the amount of crops produced. 8

To Address The Upcoming Sustainable Food Dilemma In the near future, there will be an increased need for food to accommodate the growing population.

9 To Address The Upcoming Sustainable Food Dilemma In the near future, there will be an increased need for food to accommodate the growing population. An increase in sustainable food would have economic benefits to help people in poverty. Protecting our environment and stimulating economic growth is a continuous goal to strive for. To address these problems we need an awareness that is supported by research, innovation, education and new technology to feed the world with the challenge of sustaining our environment during a time of climate change. We must recognize that enhancing food security and adapting to climate change go hand-in-hand. We must develop agricultural sustainability programs and policies that contribute to food security and climate change adaptation. We must develop technologies to sustainably produce more with less. Investment in research, development and delivery is a moral imperative. -Don Dooley, Vice President, Agriculture and Natural Resources Senior Vice President, External Relations 9

10 Possible Solutions Conventional Agriculture: characterized by mechanization and the use of synthetic inputs such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides, with an emphasis on maximizing productivity and profitability -Azadi, H. Biotechnological Agriculture: characterized by a range of advanced tools employed to manipulate the genetic make-up of living organisms to make or modify agricultural products -Azadi, H. Organic Agriculture: an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony - USDA National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) No one of the above agricultural methods can address all aspects of a sustainable food production system, and the ability of a method to impact sustainable food production can vary depending on the country and region. 10

Organic Agriculture The Advantages: 1. Uses water more efficiently 2. Relies much less on fossil fuels 3. Prevents land degradation and even improves soil fertility 4. Is more resistant to drought 5.

Is more resistant to pests These significant advantages of organic agriculture over other forms of agriculture make it a good choice to transition to for long-term sustainable food production.

11 Organic Agriculture The Advantages: 1. Uses water more efficiently 2. Relies much less on fossil fuels 3. Prevents land degradation and even improves soil fertility 4. Is more resistant to drought 5. Produces higher yields under dry conditions 6. Includes local knowledge/varieties 7. Is more resistant to pests These significant advantages of organic agriculture over other forms of agriculture make it a good choice to transition to for long-term sustainable food production. While food production will be increased in the long run, short-term production will be decreased. Therefore, a gradual transition to organic farming would be ideal to better address important threats of food security such as soil degradation, climate change and pest problems than other methods of agriculture, while at the same time building towards increased productivity. 11

SARE Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education This program, supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, offers grants to farmers, ranchers and agricultural professionals for: Ecological Pest Management Energy Stewardship Marketing Systems Research Cover Crops.

12 SARE Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education This program, supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, offers grants to farmers, ranchers and agricultural professionals for: Ecological Pest Management Energy Stewardship Marketing Systems Research Cover Crops...and much more. SARE s 3 pillars of Sustainability include: Profit over the long term Stewardship of the nations land, water and air Quality of Life for farmers, ranchers and their communities 12

In the News Featured on the front page of the Michigan Daily News on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, was an article titled Sustainable efforts priority in A2.

13 In the News Featured on the front page of the Michigan Daily News on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, was an article titled Sustainable efforts priority in A2. Overall, the article highlighted Zingerman s and People s Food Co-op s efforts to go green. Zingerman s hired a person specifically to help them transition to more sustainable practices. So far, they have begum composting meat scraps and using concentrated, environmentally friendly products with less packaging and have saved upwards of $30,000. Their next big project is to improve the heat insulation at the bake house. At the local People s Food Co-op, they keep a competitive edge on other grocery stores in the area because members get a say and ownership in the co-op. Their business is nicely complemented by the Ann Arbor Farmer s Market that is open nearby on Wednesdays and Saturdays. People can go the farmer s market and pick up anything they might have missed at the co-op. They carry about 3,000 certified organic products and network with local farmers, which supports the farming community with over a half million dollars in purchases. To read the whole article, visit: businesses-move-towards-sustainable-future 13

14 Resources To find a Farmer s Market near you: for the Michigan Farm Market & Agricultural Tourism Booklet To find a grocery co-op near you that carries local items: Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education: United States Department of Agriculture: usda/usdahome Ann Arbor Farmer s Market: communityservices/parksandrecreation/farmersmarket/pages/ FarmersMarket.aspx References United States Department of Agriculture. Local Food Systems: Concepts, Impacts and Issues. Economic Research Report Number 97. May < Dooley, Dan. "Sustainable food systems: The global picture." California Agriculture (2011): 2. Academic OneFile. Web. 28 Jan < go.galegroup.com.proxy.lib.umich.edu/ps/i.do?id=gale% 7CA &v=2.1&u=lom_umichanna&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w> Azadi, H., et al. Organic agriculture and sustainable food production system: Main potentials. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment (Nov. 2011): pg < SARE. What is Sustainable Agriculture? < 14

15 Enter to Win! What Do You Think? What do you think the University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers do to overlap maize and blue to become a little more green? Let us know what you think! By entering what you think, you will be qualified to win the 3- part Herb Kit and Mud gardening gloves shown on the following page. Visit the Healthy Eating Tip of the Month bulletin board in the University Hospital cafeteria to submit your thoughts. While you re there, you can learn more about the benefits of eating locally and sustainable food systems and gather some very helpful handouts! 15

16 Prizes! A 3-part Herb Kit Create your own mini herb garden in your home or on your porch with this 3-part Herb Kit from Crate & Barrel! Includes seeds (Basil, Cilantro and Oregano) and soil. Dimensions: 12.5"Wx4.25"Dx3"H 16

LEVEL A TABE 11 & 12 READING PRACTICE ITEMS. Buying Local. Read the passage. Then answer questions 1 through 7.

LEVEL A TABE 11 & 12 READING PRACTICE ITEMS. Buying Local. Read the passage. Then answer questions 1 through 7. Read the passage. Then answer questions 1 through 7. Buying Local 1 In many European countries, people typically visit their local merchants on a daily basis. People travel to the local butcher, baker,