Choosing a Food Future: Differentiating Among Alternative Food Options |
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Authors: | Jeffrey R Follett |
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Institution: | (1) Trees for the Future, 9000 16th Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA |
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Abstract: | This article examines the diversity of food networks that fit within the alternative food system of the United States. While
farmers’ markets, community supported agriculture schemes, and corporate organic food markets all fit within the alternative
food system, they differ greatly in the conventions and beliefs that they represent. The alternative food system has divided
into two movements: corporate, weak alternative food networks; and local, strong alternative food networks. The weak corporate
version focuses on protecting the environment; however, it neglects issues concerning labor standards, animal welfare, rural
communities, small-scale farmers, and human health. Local, strong alternative food networks not only assure environmental
protection, but they also address the issues that weak alternatives neglect. Using three case studies from the Washington,
D.C. metro area, the author explains that strong alternative food networks are better suited to create social and political
change because they challenge the foundations of the conventional food system: standardized and generic products, price-based
competition, consolidated power, and global scale. To affect true social and political change in the United States, the author
recommends supporting strong alternative food networks by creating the requisite cultural and political space for them to
succeed. |
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Keywords: | Alternative Conventions Culture Food networks Food systems Policy Political change Public space Social movements |
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