Bringing the food economy home : local alternatives to global agribusiness

* Reveals how bringing food production to a local level revitalizes rural economies in both the industrialized and developing world * Published in association with the International Society for Ecology and Culture * For readers concerned with agriculture, community development, environmental sustainability, and ecological economics If the many social, environmental, and economic crises facing the planet are to be reversed, local food economies must be rebuilt. Given the constant demand for food, even miniscule changes in its production and marketing can offer immense benefits for farmers, consumers, the economy and the environment. Bringing the Food Economy Home reveals how a shift towards the local would protect and rebuild agricultural diversity by giving farmers a larger share of the money spent on food, and providing consumers with healthier, fresher food at more affordable prices. List of IllustrationsAcknowledgements1. From Local to GlobaThe Global Food SystemLocally Adapted Food SystemsCenturies of Agricultural "Progress"Big Farms Get BiggerAgribusiness Takes OverGlobalizationSpeeding Up the Treadmill2. The Ecology of Food MarketingReduced vs. Excessive PackagingSmall, Decentralized Shops vs. Huge MegamarketsTransport InfrastructuresEnergy InfrastructuresBroadcasting Unsustainability3. The Ecology of Food ProductionDestroying DiversityOn-farm vs. Off-farm InputsIntegrated Livestock vs. Factory FarmsLife in the SoilLocal Adaptation vs. Genetic Engineering4. Food and HealthFresh is BestChemical StewsFood PoisoningFactory Farms and Human Health5. Food and the EconomyKeeping Money in the Local EconomyKeeping Jobs in the Local EconomyWorking More, Earning LessFarming in the Third WorldThe Decline of Rural EconomiesHow Important Are Economies of Scale?Are Large Industrial Farms More Productive?6. Food and CommunityWebs of InterdependenceThe Death of Rural CommunitiesMisplaced BlameUnmanageable CitiesLoss of Democracy7. Food SecurityCorporate ControlFeeding Corporations, Not the HungryThe Dangers of a Homogenized Food SupplyLocal Foods Add to Food Security8. Shifting DirectionInternational LevelNational LevelLocal LevelPeople PowerFrom Global to LocalResource GuideNote on MeasurementsEndnotesIndex

norberg-hodge, Todd Merrifield, And Steven Gorelick Of The International Society For Ecology And Culture Discuss How A Shift Towards Local Food Economies Would Protect And Rebuild The Agricultural Diversity That Has Been Lost In The Current Specialized, Capital Intensive, Technology-based Global Environment. Coverage Includes The History Of This Change In Emphasis From Local To Global; The Ecology Of Food Marketing And Production; Food And Health, The Economy, And The Community; Food Security; And Changing Direction. Annotation C. Book News, Inc., Portland, Or

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norberg-hodge, Todd Merrifield, And Steven Gorelick Of The International Society For Ecology And Culture Discuss How A Shift Towards Local Food Economies Would Protect And Rebuild The Agricultural Diversity That Has Been Lost In The Current Specialized, Capital Intensive, Technology-based Global Environment. Coverage Includes The History Of This Change In Emphasis From Local To Global; The Ecology Of Food Marketing And Production; Food And Health, The Economy, And The Community; Food Security; And Changing Direction. Annotation C. Book News, Inc., Portland, Or (booknews.com)

Recommends A Shift Toward The Local To Protect And Rebuild Agricultural Diversity, Give Farmers A Bigger Share Of The Money Spent On Food, And Provide Consumers With Healthier, Fresher Food At Affordable Prices, Reduce Negative Environmental Impact, And Revitalize Rural Economies And Communities. [back Cover]. From Local To Global -- The Ecology Of Food Marketing -- The Ecology Of Food Production -- Food And Health -- Food And The Economy -- Food And Community -- Food Security -- Shifting Direction. Helena Norberg-hodge, Todd Merrifield, Steven Gorelick. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [127]-142) And Index. Gorelick BOOK Contents 5 List of Illustrations 7 Acknowledgments 8 1. From Local to Global 9 2. The Ecology of Food Marketing 25 3. The Ecology of Food Production 43 4. Food and Health 59 5. Food and the Economy 73 6. Food and Community 87 7. Food Security 97 8. Shifting Direction 109 From Global to Local 121 Resource Guide 125 Note on Measurements 134 Endnotes 135 Index 151