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By John Jordan
Global food supply chains are a wonder of modern technology and logistics. Everything from coffee to berries to shrimp are produced and transported thousands of miles to distant markets.
Yet the vast majority of food grown and consumed in the world is done so in local and regional markets. As COVID-19 demonstrated, localization has advantages in helping ensure supply and steady prices. If done appropriately, it also lowers carbon emissions and otherwise increases environmental sustainability and resilience.
Most important, increased local agricultural output and productivity is a key driver in poverty reduction and economic and social development.
Given its importance, how can localized food production be supported in ways that help realize its potential to enhance food security, raise incomes and help catalyze sustainable development?
That's the focus of Food from Somewhere: Building Food Security and Resilience Through Territorial Markets, the new publication from the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES).
World Neighbors, which runs regenerative and other sustainable agriculture projects in Nepal and other countries, is an example of an organization that helps small hold farmers profit in territorial markets.
