Our national food system is complex and often wasteful. The average plate of food travels 1,500 miles to reach our tables and over 4 million tons of food is wasted each year. The coronavirus pandemic and other recent stressors that have caused supply shortages have highlighted the importance of a stable food system. The most sustainable food system is one that has a strong local component – reducing the climate impact of food transportation, helping local farmers to thrive, and keeping our dollars nearby for a stronger local economy. On a positive note, there has been impressive growth in farmers’ markets, community-supported agriculture (CSAs), and other outlets for farmers to sell wholesome, unprocessed products directly to consumers. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service has noted a sharp increase in local food sourcing by restaurants, retailers, and regional distributors.
Achievements to Date
- Multiple weekly farmers’ markets throughout the growing season
- The Farm to School network provides local produce to Fairfield schools during growing season
- Increased access to and promotion of local and/or sustainable foods by groceries
- Numerous restaurants are sourcing local and/or sustainable food and drink
- Promoting local food infrastructure via the Sustainable Fairfield website and social media networks
- Food and Waste subcommittee of Sustainable Fairfield Task Force meets monthly to set goals for local food infrastructure
- Expansive growth in local efforts for gardening for food bank/donation
Challenges Ahead
- Ensuring the viability of local farming and local food infrastructure
- Increasing access to high-quality local food for lower income residents, SFTF recognizes that fresh, local, healthy food is not equally accessible to all residents based on location and/or financial restraints.
- Fortifying local food infrastructure for resilience from climate change and supply-chain disruption
Benefits of Local Food Infrastructure
- Local food is fresh, tasty, and nutritious
- Supports community health
- Supports local farmers and builds local economies
- Local food systems generally mean less energy consumption, emissions and food miles
- Supports genetic and ecosystem diversity
- Preserves open spaces and good land stewardship
- Growing vegetables at home is more cost effective than buying and helps lower income families gain affordable access to nutritious foods
2035 Plan Goals
- 20% of Fairfield residents growing some sort of food at home
- Local produce/ingredients sourced by 50% of Fairfield restaurants
- Create a sustainable restaurant certification program
- School food service contract to demonstrate an increased commitment to sustainably sourced foods
- School garden network to support food growth at all Fairfield schools, with excess to be donated to local food banks
- Locally grown food choices at all supermarkets
- Continued support of Fairfield Farmers’ Market and all farmers’ markets in our surrounding communities and explore options to have them accept SNAP payment
- Explore supplemental programs to offset cost of locally grown produce
- Expand food rescue network of volunteers and promote awareness
- Classes on composting, square foot gardening, raised beds – at least annually
- Create more community garden plots
- Create local food policy council to coordinate efforts and advocate for regulatory and other assistance to local food infrastructure
- Revamp former Meatless Monday campaign to encourage residents and restaurants to reduce consumption of animal products.
- Actively promote the Stop & Shop Fast Food app to create awareness of significant savings on food nearing its “best use by dates” but still good
How do we reach our goals?
- Survey and benchmarking with surrounding/similar towns
- Educate the community on benefits of local food and food rescue
- Establish food sourcing guidelines for grocery stores and restaurants
- Encourage restaurants to source local produce/ingredients and promote their efforts through Sustainable Fairfield and/or a sustainable restaurant certification program
- Expand outreach networks for communication with local grocers and restaurants
- Develop a comprehensive food rescue program to reduce waste
- Encourage grocery stores to feature locally produced food
- Offer free classes on composting, square foot gardening, raised beds
- Foster community garden efforts on public or donated land
- Encourage network within school PTAs and other volunteers to create and maintain school gardens throughout the growing season
- Expand involvement with “Farm to School” network