Act local AND global: How the US local food movement and international food security advocates can work together to promote public health

In 2012, almost a billion people worldwide are hungry, while the US faces an unprecedented obesity epidemic, both symptoms of a broken food system.

This presentation will outline four ways the US local food movement and international food security advocates can work together to promote the right to food and improve public health.

Supporting Small Scale Farmers Everywhere: Small scale farmers, from Maine to Mali, grow a majority of the world's food. Together we can ensure local farmers everywhere have the resources to build their production capacity and open new markets to food grown sustainably by and for local communities.

Combatting Climate Change: Climate change is forecasted to impact agricultural production and increase food prices over the next 40. Local and global food movement can work together to help communities adapt and become more resilient. Also key to local and global food security: ending biofuels, which do not help the environment and are driving rising food prices.

Holding Companies Accountable: Companies play a major role in the food system, from agribusiness to land acquisitions to speculation in agricultural commodities. US investors who care about food justice must be engaged in corporate advocacy, supporting best practices and calling out businesses which fuel food insecurity and injustice.

Making the Farm Bill the Food Bill: The US Farm Bill, set to expire in 2012, impacts both US nutrition program and global food security. Together local food and global food activists can advocate for a true Food and Farm Bill.