Local Food Systems

Supporting rural and urban livelihoods in regional food economies

Local Food Economies:
Meeting the needs of producers and consumers

The Local Foods Symposium was an opportunity for local food proponents from Northern and Central California to come together to exchange ideas surrounding the current trends and future challenges involved in creating a sustainable food system. Cooperative Extension specialists, researchers, non-profit personnel, farmers, nutritionists, and community members participated in a two day conference which presented 06-08 SAREP research grants and facilitated roundtable discussions on local foods issues.

Symposium Outcomes

Descriptions of SAREP-funded local food systems research (2006-2008)

Download the PDF of research projects working to integrate local food into their community food system. Projects are centered in Northern and Central California.

Poster abstracts

The posters presented at the Local Food Symposium further illustrated the 06-08 SAREP-funded research, along with some additionale xamples of ongoing local food projects.

Roundtable Discussion Notes

The conference held five roundtable discussions throughout the conference. Attendees participated in discussions on farm-to-school programs, ethnic and rural markets, place-ba sed labels, and export marketing.

Concluding Remarks

The conference concluded with a summary of the current and future challenges discussed during the event and ideas on a path forward by Dave Campbell. These remarks will be posted soon.