Local Food Systems
Overview
The term "food system" refers to the interconnected processes that connect the complex spectrum of food production to food processing, consumption, and ultimately disposal. One specific definition provides that the food system "includes all processes involved in keeping us fed: growing, harvesting, processing (or transforming or changing), packaging, transporting, marketing, consuming and disposing of food and food packages." (Cornell University). The food system in the United States is predominantly characterized as a complex and globally integrated system in which products are routinely produced, processed, and hundreds and thousands of miles from the point of consumption. "Local Food Systems", as used here, is meant to denote the fact that there are a number of interrelated pieces that connect to make "local food" a component of the U.S. agricultural food system. The term "community food system" is sometimes used interchangeably with the term "local food system." Read the full overview
Note: Recently added resources are posted at the top of the applicable sections.
Major Statutes
Assistance for Community Food Projects (Competitive Grants Program) (CFPCGP), 7 U.S.C. § 2034
Farmers' Market Promotion Program, 7 U.S.C. § 3005
Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, 7 U.S.C. § 3007
School Breakfast Program, 42 U.S.C. § 1773
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, 42 U.S.C. § 1786
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, 7 U.S.C. § 4211
Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, 7 U.S.C. § 4231 (Program Changes), 7 U.S.C. § 4406
(Authorization of Funds)
Purchase of Local Food for School Lunch Programs, 7 U.S.C. § 4302
Healthy Food Education and Replicability Program, 7 U.S.C. § 4303
Assistance for Community Food Projects, 7 U.S.C. § 4402 (Program Changes), 7 U.S.C. § 4406
(Authorization of Funds)
Locally or Regionally Produced Agricultural Food Products Loan Program, 7 U.S.C. § 6015
Study and Report on Food Deserts, 7 U.S.C. § 7527
Farmers' Market Promotion Program, 7 U.S.C. § 10106, Conservation, Emergency
Regulations
of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 7 C.F.R. §§ 15.1 - 15.12
General Information and Definitions, 7 C.F.R. Part 271
Requirements for Participating State Agencies, 7 C.F.R. Part 272
Certification of Eligible Households, 7 C.F.R. Part 273
Issuance and Use of Coupons, 7 C.F.R. Part 274
Participation of Retail Food Stores, Wholesale Food Concerns and Insured Financial Institutions,
7 C.F.R. Part 278
Administrative and Judicial Review - Food Retailers and Food Wholesalers, 7 C.F.R. Part 279
Administration of the Food Stamp Program on Indian Reservations, 7 C.F.R. Part 281
Appeals of Quality Control ("QC") Claims, 7 C.F.R. Part 283
Provision of a Nutrition Assistance Grant for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 7 C.F.R. Part 285
or Terminates Voluntary Official Grade Standards, 7 C.F.R. Part 36
Program to Assess Organic Certifying Agencies, 7 C.F.R. Part 37
Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Other Products (Inspection, Certification, and Standards),
7 C.F.R. Part 51
Processed Fruits and Vegetables, Processed Products Thereof, and Certain Other Processed
Food Products, 7 C.F.R. Part 52
Egg Research and Promotion, 7 C.F.R. Part 1250
Cooperative Agreements, 7 C.F.R. Part 4285
Agency Mission and Organization, 9 C.F.R. 300
National School Lunch Program, 7 C.F.R. Part 210
School Breakfast Program (SBP), 7 C.F.R. Part 215
Special Milk Program for Children, 7 C.F.R. Part 220
Summer Food Service Program, 7 C.F.R. Part 225
Child and Adult Care Food Program, 7 C.F.R. Part 226
Nutrition Education and Training Program, 7 C.F.R. Part 227
State Administrative Expense Funds, 7 C.F.R. Part 235
Cash in Lieu of Donated Foods, 7 C.F.R. Part 240
Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk in Schools, 7 C.F.R. Part 245
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, 7 C.F.R. Part 246
Commodity Supplemental Food Program, 7 C.F.R. Part 247
WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), 7 C.F.R. Part 248
Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), 7 C.F.R. Part 249
Under Its Jurisdiction, 7 C.F.R. Part 250
Case Law
Administrative Law Decisions
Center Research Publications
Food Movement (Coit)
Industry Professionals (Jillian)
Congressional Research Service Reports
Farm Bills
Food Security/Aid
Commodities
Agricultural Law Bibliography
Introduction | Keyword Search | Browse Categories
Corporate Farming (Restrictions on Corporate Farming/Family Farm Preservation)
Food and Drug Law
Hunger and Food Security Issues
Hunting, Recreation and Wildlife
Sustainable and Organic Farming
Transportation
Reference Resources
Publication: Farmers Market Consortium Resource Guide
Dairy Program
Fruit and Vegetable Programs
Fresh Product Grading and Quality Certification: Fresh Produce Audit Verification System
Livestock and Seed Program
Market News and Transportation Data
Farmers Market Promotion Program
The National Organic Program
Federal State Marketing Improvement Program
Publication: How to Establish a Farmers' Market on Federal Property
Agricultural Transportation
Publication: How Local Farmers and School Food Service Buyers Are Building Alliances (2000)
National Research Program: Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems
Animal Health
Plant Health
National Research Program: Crop Production and Protection
Animal & Plant Biosecurity
Agricultural Systems
Animals and Animal Products
Economics and Commerce
Food, Nutrition, & Health
Pest Management
Plants & Plant Products
Publication: Local Food Systems: Concepts, Impacts and Issues (Martinez et. al., 2010)
Publication: The National School Lunch Program Background, Trends, and Issues (2008)
Briefing Room: Child Nutrition Programs
Briefing Room: Dairy
Briefing Room: Farm and Commodity Policy
Briefing Room: Food Assistance and Nutrition Program Outcomes
Briefing Room: Food Assistance and Nutrition Programs
Briefing Room: Food Stamp Program
Briefing Room: Land Use, Value, and Management
Briefing Room: Organic Agriculture
Briefing Room: Vegetables and Melons
Briefing Room: The WIC Program
Publication: Exploring Alternative Farm Definitions: Implications for Agricultural Statistics
and Program Eligibility (O'Donoghue et al., 2009)
Publication: Organic Produce, Price Premiums, and Eco-Labeling in U.S. Farmers' Markets
Questions & Answers: Raw Milk
National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS) Model Documents
WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamp Program)
Supplemental Nutrition Program: Farmer's Markets EBT Projects
National School Lunch Program
School Breakfast Program
Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
Regulations & Policies - State Inspection Programs
Alternative Marketing and Business Practices
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
CSA Resources for Farmers
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center
Food and Nutrition Information Center
State Profiles
Rural Development
Publication: Local-based, Alternative Marketing Strategy Could Help Save More Small Farms
Publication: Co-op Development Action
Publication: Plymouth, NH AG Producers Benefit From Unique Marketing Program
Service ATTRA-NCAT)
(FLAG, 2009)
(WI Dept. of Ag., 2008)
Direct Marketing Agreement (FLAG, 2005)
Law Center, 2003)
(W.W. Norton & Company, 2004)