Building a healthy local food system to benefit every age

The prevalence of diet-related diseases in today's health care crisis is reason enough to improve our food system. Improved access to nutritious foods can happen most effectively on the local level, where a robust regional food system is established and promotes healthy aging through prudent local food choices. To ensure its sustainability for generations to come, individuals of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds must participate in the positive outcomes of an accessible and affordable local food system. By using a goal of providing more nutritious meals, JABA demonstrates how one objective can realize economy of scope and thus benefit persons of all ages.

This session will show how to bring organizations and residents together to (1) identify needs and establish goals in their community's food system, (2) determine how healthy, nutritious food can be accessible to all individuals, and (3) provide examples for engaging youth in community efforts and education. Ideally, each workshop participant will acquire tools to approach community needs with a synergistic approach to forming partnerships and using available resources – whether implementing a local food system or undertaking any other community challenge.