Food Systems

What are food systems?

Our food comes from a complex juncture of social and biophysical factors and processes through the food supply chain. These include drivers of the food system such as culture, economics, policy, marketing, and interventions. The modern American food system has provided our citizens with an abundance of low-cost food in comparison to other countries. However, the direct cost of food does not reflect the external costs of the food system that influence physical, economic, social, and ecological health, simultaneously increasing obesity, diet-related diseases, and food insecurity.

Past and current projects and activities involving food systems:

  • Local and national food policy and agriculture zoning
  • Institutional sourcing of local foods
  • Community food hubs
  • Urban agriculture
  • Fostering sustainability within the food system