Cities are constantly demanding more food supplies that are fresh and easily available. So let’s see how cities are building local & sustainable food systems, and they are as follows:
- Locals need permission to grow, sell, and buy fresh produce at lower prices, benefiting themselves and others.
- Government must look at the food desert problem and must try to eliminate it.
- There are innovative solutions that must be highlighted, such as urban agriculture, community farming, etc.
What Makes Local Food Sustainable?
The reason behind the sustainability of local food is that they have a lower risk of getting spoiled. They also help in reducing the greenhouse effect as they do not need to travel a long distance. Local food providers support to local farmers and other producers. These foods provide a higher percentage of nutrients because they are grown and cultivated in local regions. Such food tastes better than the food that is imported.
What are the Characteristics of Sustainable Food Systems?
The characteristics of sustainable food systems are as follows:
- They are safe and healthy
- Offers both ecological and community health benefits
- Exciting initiatives in the field of organic farming!
- It is energy efficient
- Provides better quality soil by crop rotation and introducing organic waste
- Have less content of harmful fertilizers and pesticides, thus making it healthier
What are the Examples of Sustainable Food Systems?
The examples of sustainable food systems are along these lines:
- Organic agriculture: It is a kind of agriculture that supports not only the healthy life of people but also the ecosystem and soil.
- Permaculture: They are copies of the natural environment with respect to their stability, diversity, and resilience.
- Biodynamic Agriculture: In this type of agriculture farms are seen as interconnected living organisms.
- Regenerative Agriculture: Gives more stress on farming and grazing as regenerative agriculture helps in building organic matter and capturing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
- Agroforestry: These types of farming include the planting of shrubs as well as trees on the farms.
When you look at how cities are building local & sustainable food systems, then you notice that it primarily works at local and municipal levels. Different cities face different problems related to food sustainability, so the government must look at them and get a proper understanding of the difficulties faced.
Recommended: Why is Sustainable Development Important for Economic Growth?
