What is a foodshed?

The term "foodshed," borrowed from the concept of a watershed, was coined as early as 1929 to describe the flow of food from the area where it is grown into the place where it is consumed. Recently, the term has been revived as a way of looking at and thinking about local, sustainable food systems.

Where is our food coming from, and how is it getting to us? Most of the food eaten in the United States "flows" to us from across the globe. Although our food is cheap, it comes to us with many hidden environmental, social, and human health costs.

The Wisconsin Foodshed Research Project is working toward the emergence of sustainable, self-reliant, local and regional food systems. Through this work, we aim to encourage regional reinvestment of capital, local job creation, fair trade, strong community institutions, and direct democratic participation in the local food economy.

How might alternatives to our existing food system be organized at the local and community levels? How much food can a given region provide? Can local food systems meet nutritional needs and provide food security for everyone? We hope that the information on this Web site will help you think about and better understand the economic, environmental, and social benefits of sustainable, local and regional food systems.