Life Sciences Commons^™

Building Resiliency Through Local Food System Development, Marlin A. Bates

Center for Engagement and Community Development

Parts of Northeast Kansas enjoy relatively mature local food systems. Most of our local food producers rely on direct-to-consumer markets for their products, and some concerns are beginning to emerge over saturation of some of these markets. Local food systems have been lauded nationwide as an economic development tool for communities large and small. Increasing the abundance of food grown locally also has implications on regional food security. Investment in programs that enhance local food systems is justifiable due to the economic, social, and environmental benefits that these systems strengthen. Whether local food systems are mature or in their infancy, …