PULLMAN, Wash. — Farmers, processors, distributors, sellers, buyers, preparers and eaters will come together March 24-26 at Evergreen State College in Olympia to discuss development of healthy foodsheds.
No, a foodshed isn’t like a woodshed. It’s more like a watershed. And it’s a new idea — or perhaps a return to an old idea — about how food should be grown and delivered to consumers.
The idea involves developing sustainable, community-based farming and food systems, says Curtis Beus, Washington State University Clallam County Cooperative Extension chair. WSU, the Washington State Department of Agriculture and the Cascade Harvest Coalition are co-sponsors of the event.
“The food that makes up the bulk of our diets today is produced, processed and distributed in a manner that often disconnects people from the source of their sustenance,” says Beus.
“Many people are calling for the establishment of alternative food systems that are more local in scope, and which incorporate issues of importance to them: healthy communities, social justice and environmental quality.”
Some refer to these small, local food systems as “foodsheds.”
Beus says the conference will provide a forum to address issues such as preservation of farm land; programs to foster local agriculture; sustainable agricultural models; urban/community food systems; concentration of power in agribusiness corporations; marketing that educates consumers and helps local producers compete, and food issues related to health.
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