WELLNESS The healthy (or not-so- The Food System healthy) foods we choose Our food choices impact every aspect of our society and economy impact our individual health and can create How we currently get food from the farm to our plates is a mystery to burdensome healthcare many of us. Food distribution and procurement is a global system. It costs for all. encompasses farmers, eaters, and all of the industries that link them together. Decisions are made every day by our local governments, businesses, and organizations that influence where our food is grown, EQUITY how it is prepared, distributed, and served. Not all members of our community have ROWING Local food systems are G equal access to healthy, composed of all of the NG ORTI quality foods — leaving SI SP NG U N interdependent steps E A R R them vulnerable to T and actors that go food insecurity and into producing malnutrition. food that is grown and raised in OC PR ES S ECONOMY I a region. This N LOCAL FOOD G includes planting, Where we buy food G SYSTEMS MODEL N I shapes our local harvesting, S D I S P O storing, economy. Buying G & E locally-grown foods transporting, IN AT K I O N supports local farmers, processing, O G C ING and helps small and Y G packaging, and U B N I mid-sized agribusinesses retailing of food. P A G A C K create new jobs. Consumers seeking out SOURCE: DOUGLAS COUNTY FOOD POLICY COUNCIL locally grown food is an ENVIRONMENT emerging trend in our region. Food production and From the phenomenal growth in farmers’ shipping can impact markets in our country, to the growing interest in school gardens, to the our landscapes and restaurants and grocers selling local foods — members of our community quality of life. care about what they eat and how it impacts the place they call home. The Public Health Law Center provides information and technical assistance on issues related to public health. The Public Health Law Center does not provide legal September, 2014 representation or advice. This document should not be considered Content for this publication was provided by the Douglas County Food Policy Council and legal advice. For specific legal reformatted by the Public Health Law Center at William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, questions, consult with an attorney. Minnesota, with funding from the Kansas Health Foundation..