Bringing Food Systems Home:
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Date
2013-06
Authors
Harbage, Rebecca A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Planning, Public Policy & Management, University of Oregon
Abstract
Do you know where your food is grown? The local foods movement began in response to what advocates saw as the negative impacts of our global-scale, industrial food system, including the disconnection of consumers from the source of their food. In recent years, interest in locally-sourced food has spread across the United States and many strategies have emerged to help communities bring their food systems back home. Among these strategies is the regional food hub, which actively coordinates the aggregation and distribution of source-identified food products from local and regional producers.
In 2012, several organizations and local governments in Oregon's Mid-Willamette Valley expressed interest in developing a regional food hub to serve the tri-county region. Using research from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and information collected from existing food hubs, regional food and agriculture trends, and surveys of regional food producers and purchasers, this study seeks to determine whether a food hub is an appropriate strategy to strengthen the regional food system. The Mid-Willamette Valley is unique in the strength of its existing food system and the potential for the region to realistically meet its own food needs. However, several specific barriers need to be overcome to further develop the food system. Findings from this study reveal that the services commonly provided by regional food hubs have the potential to address many of these barriers and, therefore, a food hub is a viable strategy to take the region to the next level in developing its regional food system.
Description
Examining committee: Robert Parker, chair; Michael Hibbard