One of the thorny issues of local food (and relocalizing in general) is rebuilding the institutions that support local food. Millers and marketplaces are both needed to have a vibrant, comprehensive food system, and they've mostly withered away, replaced with massively centralized steroidal versions of what once was. A few weeks ago, after the late frost snap, Casaubon's Book had a post about the trouble of food security (i.e., having enough food to eat, year after year) in a relocalized system. The whole thing is worth reading, but I was particularly interested in this bit, which gives a brief idea of the kinds of institutions we need to start building:
My proposition would be that local communities open food security centers, consisting of (ideally), a food pantry, a community kitchen for community canning and food storage, along with cooking classes, a cafeteria, and a food banking system and store.
Comments (4)
Just wanted to add community gardens to the list. I live on the east side, where the number of overgrown vacant lots is growing exponentially, it seems. Community centers and community gardens would make a lot of sense for our neighborhoods.
carey
Posted by carey | May 19, 2007 2:10 PM
Posted on May 19, 2007 14:10
Sounds great! Food Not Bombs, neighborhood outdoor kitchens, solar ovens, wild herbs from the alleys, fruit & nut trees, local herbal medicine, permaculture, raspberry wine.
Posted by Hakim Baker | May 19, 2007 8:48 PM
Posted on May 19, 2007 20:48
Carey,
Yeah. One problem with using vacant lots for community gardens is that it would be great to have them available for investment in new housing and businesses, too. Also, a lot of times there's a problem with contaminated soil, I think.
On the other hand, it would be great if some lots could be used as temporary neighborhood gardens--not even for food, even just as parks.
Posted by Greg C | May 20, 2007 12:24 PM
Posted on May 20, 2007 12:24
I think there are plenty of lots to go around in some areas! There are very few new homes built around us, but lots of vacant lots. We have lost six homes on our block since we bought our house seven years ago. None have been replaced. I had not considered contaminated soil. If that is the case with some lots, it would be good to put in some "cleaning" plants, ones that are good at taking contaminants out of soil. Neighborhood parks--yes! We really need some of those. We need places kids can play and not worry about being hit by cars.
Posted by carey | May 27, 2007 1:29 PM
Posted on May 27, 2007 13:29