Local Food Systems in North America
Prepared by: Elena Christy, University of Guelph
Karen Landman, Associate Professor, University of Guelph
Elizabeth Nowatschin, University of Guelph
Alison Blay-Palmer, Associate Professor, Wilfrid Laurier University
Prepared for: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
This report is a survey of the prominent North American literature from academic, governmental, and non-governmental sources published within the last thirteen years on the subject of local food systems. The goal of this report is investigate current discussion on North American localized food systems and to identify the terms of engagement of participants seeking to access the perceived benefits of this form of food marketing.
Local Food Systems – International Perspectives
Prepared by: Irena Knezevic, Postdoctoral Fellow, Mount Saint Vincent University
Karen Landman, Associate Professor, University of Guelph
Alison Blay-Palmer, Associate Professor, Wilfrid Laurier University
Prepared for Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
As the development of the local food movement in Ontario is not happening in isolation, the trends and the lessons of local/regional food initiatives around the world are worthy of consideration. The purpose of this review is to provide a brief overview of research and initiatives in other parts of the world, which may be useful for identifying patterns of successful models for local food hubs. Focusing on European Union countries, with an additional, less comprehensive turn to Australia and New Zealand, this overview is a cursory scan of scholarly and “gray” (government and community) literature on food hubs and regional food systems.