Main description:

This edited volume builds on existing alternative food initiatives and food movements research to explore how a systems approach can bring about health and well-being through enhanced collaboration. Chapters describe the myriad ways community-driven actors work to foster food systems that are socially just, embed food in local economies, regenerate the environment and actively engage citizens. Drawing on case studies, interviews and Participatory Action Research projects, the editors share the stories behind community-driven efforts to develop sustainable food systems, and present a critical assessment of both the tensions and the achievements of these initiatives.
The volume is unique in its focus on approaches and methodologies that both support and recognize the value of community-based practices. Throughout the book the editors identify success stories, challenges and opportunities that link practitioner experience to critical debates in food studies, practice and policy. By making current practices visible to scholars, the volume speaks to people engaged in the co-creation of knowledge, and documents a crucial point in the evolution of a rapidly expanding and dynamic sustainable food systems movement.
Entrenched food insecurity, climate change induced crop failures, rural-urban migration, escalating rates of malnutrition related diseases, and aging farm populations are increasingly common obstacles for communities around the world. Merging private, public and civil society spheres, the book gives voice to actors from across the sustainable food system movement including small businesses, not-for-profits, eaters, farmers and government. Insights into the potential for market restructuring, knowledge sharing, planning and bridging civic-political divides come from across Canada, the United States and Mexico, making this a key resource for policy-makers, students, citizens, and practitioners.

Contents:

Preface Introduction
Section I: Need for TransformationsChapter 1 Connecting Food Access and Housing Security: Lessons from Peterborough, OntarioPatricia Ballamingie, Peter Andree, Mary Anne Martin and Julie Pilson
Chapter 2 Strengthening the Backbone: Local Food, Foreign Labour and Social JusticeJanet Mclaughlin
Chapter 3 Community Food Security in Pictou Landing First NationPictou Landing First Nation and Irena Knezevic
Chapter 4 The Us Experience in Planning for Community Food Systems: An Era of Advocacy, Awareness, and (Some) LearningSamina Raja, Subhashni Raj and Bartholomew Roberts
Section II: Pathways to Transformation Chapter 5 Can Community-Based Initiatives Address the Conundrum Of Improving Household Food Access While Supporting Local Smallholder Farmer Livelihoods?Peter Andree, Patricia Ballamingie, Stephen Piazza and Scott Jarosiewicz
Chapter 6 Nourishing Learning Environments: School Food Gardens and Sustainable Food SystemsElizabeth Nowatschin, Karen Landman and Erin Nelson
Chapter 7 Using a Complexity Lens to Address Local Food Dilemmas in Northern Ontario: The Viability of Crowdsourcing and CrowdfundingMirella Stroink, Connie H. Nelson and Adam C. Davis
Chapter 8 The Local Food Policy Audit: Spanning the Civic-Political Agrifood DivideJill K. Clark, Caitlin Marquis and Samina Raja
Chapter 9 Supply Management as Food SovereigntyPhil Mount
Chapter 10Navigating Spaces For Political Action: Victories And Compromises for Mexico's Local Organic MovementErin Nelson and Laura Gomez Tovar
Chapter 11 Communities of Food Practice: Regional Networks As Strategic Tools for Food Systems TransformationCharles Z. Levkoe
Postscript