Food System Basics
This term describes the entire process of producing, processing, distributing, consuming, and disposing of food.
What is a food system?
Growing food without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
What is organic farming?
Areas where people have little access to healthy or affordable food.
What is a food desert?
A shared area where community members grow food together.
What is a community garden?
The practice of throwing away edible food.
What is food waste?
This concept refers to citizens having a voice and influence over how food is produced and distributed.
What is food democracy?
A farm practice where crops are rotated over time to improve soil health.
What is crop rotation?
A movement that focuses on fairness in food access, wages, and farming practices.
What is food justice?
Buying food directly from farmers at local markets.
What is a farmers’ market?
The warming of the planet that affects farming and food production.
What is climate change?
The ability for all people to access enough affordable, nutritious food.
What is food security?
Food grown close to where it is sold and consumed.
What is local food?
Workers who harvest crops and work on farms.
Who are farm workers?
A person who chooses to eat food grown close to where they live.
What is a locavore?
The use of seeds that have been scientifically altered for specific traits.
What are GMOs (genetically modified organisms)?
The study and practice of producing food in ways that protect the environment and resources for the future.
What is sustainable agriculture?
Farmers sell directly to consumers through markets or subscriptions.
What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?
A label that ensures farmers receive fair payment and workers have safe conditions.
What is Fair Trade?
Programs that bring locally grown food into school cafeterias.
What is farm-to-school?
Large-scale farming focused on producing high yields using machines and chemicals.
What is industrial agriculture?
This term describes the environmental impact caused by transporting food long distances.
What are food miles?
The right of people to control their own food systems and agricultural policies.
What is food sovereignty?
When large companies control large parts of the food market.
What is corporate control of the food system?
A food system focused on improving local access to affordable and nutritious food.
What is a community food system?
A system where farmers, consumers, and communities work together to create sustainable food systems.
What is food democracy in action?