January 2002
Local food systems help insulate communities from terrorism
Local food systems can help protect communities from the threat terrorism, according to Gail Feenstra, food systems analyst for the UC Davis-based statewide Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP). Feenstra will speak on the protective quality of sustainable food systems at the "New Partners for Smart Growth: Building Safe, Healthy & Livable Communities" conference at the U.S. Grant Hotel in San Diego Jan. 24-25, 2002.
One session of the conference will focus on the ability of livable communities' design principles to insulate populations from the fear of terrorism. Feenstra, an expert on community food systems, will discuss how communities identify strategies that help them "shorten the supply lines" between farm and table, how local food sources reduce the need to rely on transportation, and how local, seasonal food systems contribute to food security.
Feenstra has a doctorate in nutrition education from Columbia University Teacher's College, and has been a food systems analyst at SAREP since 1990. The conference is sponsored by the Local Government Commission and Penn State University.
Media Information:
Lyra Halprin, (530) 752-8664, lhalprin@ucdavis.edu
