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Welcome to a new perspective and vision for our food system.

The Sustainability of Global Food Systems website grew out of a growing concern about the sustainability of our current food systems at a local and at a global scale. Initiated from faculty at NC State University and the University of Georgia that instruct the Sustainability of Tropical Agroecosystems study abroad course in Costa Rica, it is place for students from various universities, backgrounds, majors and regions to learn and share their perspectives about this important global issue. Increasing environmental concerns of soil erosion and water shortages, food production and distribution heavily dependent on decreasing fossil fuel energy sources, rising food costs and food shortages globally are all driving forces that are forcing us to reevaluate our current food system.

Food is unlike any other material. It is required for human existence (at least three times a day), crosses cultures, connects countries through trade and the food system is one of the most powerful things an individual can influence through their purchasing power in the market place. Although there are many definitions of a food system, here we will use the simplest- everything that involves food production, processing, distribution and consumption- or what happens from farm to fork. Sustainability of our food system means to produce, process, distribute and consume food in a way that does not increase environmental degradation of our natural resources, is socially just and acceptable for the community and is economically viable for food producers for our present population and future generations.

Sustainable Food Systems characterize:

  • Food produced in a way that promotes biological diversity, efficient use of natural resources and energy, and decreased negative environmental impacts.
  • Food produced, processed, distributed and consumed that minimize distance and fossil fuel energy resources required between these activities– emphasis on a more local and regional food systems that support the surrounding communities.
  • Consumers that understand where their food comes from and how it was produced so they are able to make more sustainable food purchases in the market place.
  • Food that supports the economic, environmental, social and nutritional well-being of both food producers and consumers.

We invite you to tour this website to learn more about sustainability issues in our food system and share your perspectives.