Becoming a "Food Citizen"

Food citizens are eaters who take an interest in food beyond its affordability and availability.  Food citizens are concerned about environmental sustainability, the health of farmers and consumers, issues of justice for farm workers and the poor, and democratic participation in determining where our food system is heading.

There are four main strategies for consumers to act as "food citizens:"  

• Buy food that reflects a commitment to local, sustainable, and democratically-run farm and food enterprises. 
• Join any of a number of grassroots organizations that deal with a specific aspect of the food system.
• Work at the political level to promote policy decisions that encourage sound land use planning and promotion of environmentally sustainable farming.
• Build networks to share information, knowledge and resources that improve the sustainability of the food system. 

Farmers have long been at the forefront of developing a sustainable agricultural system.  Farmers have developed techniques to grow food without the use of chemicals and in ways that sustain soil, water, and other natural resources.  Farmers have also developed alternative markets wherein to sell their products.  Now its up to eaters to help build up this alternative system.

Consumer commitment to purchasing locally grown, sustainably produced food is a good place to start.  But it takes more than purchasing power to create a sustainable food system.  Also needed are organizational efforts to support farmer marketing cooperatives, develop innovative marketing opportunities, research agricultural sustainability, facilitate consumer involvement, and help build networks of farmers and activists. 

University, nonprofit and grassroots organizations, such as the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS), the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI), the Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition (MACSAC), the Family Farm Defenders, the Madison Community Gardeners Coalition (MCGC), and the Research, Education, Action, and Policy (REAP) Food Group work specifically on food issues.  These groups emphasize education, outreach, research, coalition-building, lobbying, or other actions. They welcome participation from food citizens in working for change.

Food citizenship can have far-reaching consequences.  Food citizenship not only supports local growers and the local economy, it can also catalyze larger changes in the food system.  Control of the food system is increasingly concentrated in the hands of large corporations. For example, the four largest firms control more than 40 percent of the processing of all agricultural commodities in the Midwest.  Eating locally and becoming a food citizen can be an act of resistance to the control of our food supply by a few corporations. 

People throughout the country can and are choosing to resist the dominance of a few corporations and the unsustainable practices of production agriculture by purchasing food directly from small- and medium-scale growers. Collectively, this personal resistance can translate to viable markets and opportunities for family farmers and processors, and ultimately to the democratic control of our food system.

Foodshed Directory
contents:

Index

Becoming a food citizen

Food cooperatives and retailers

Direct and cooperative marketing groups

Restaurant-affiliated groups and restaurants

Nonprofit food and farming organizations

Community and children's gardening groups

Food security initiatives and groups

University centers and programs

Support and supplies

Related organizations