Local Food Movement - We’ve Come Far to Get This Close

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There must be an appreciation of the lobbying and activism that achieved productive governmental changes and widespread attention. UCLA’s farmers’ market only came into existence through the movement’s success in gaining the attention of educators and students through research and grassroots activity. The importance of a university farmers’ market cannot be understated—in order for change to be sustained, young people must feel the need to actively participate in furthering the cause. UCLA’s farmers’ market is an indicator that this movement will not only continue, but flourish.

Farmers’ markets are a major source of coherence within the movement, as it brings together many with a common goal. Buyers and farmers meet others who have the same hopes of helping the environment and local economy, and eating nutritiously. Strong connections are made as farmers see familiar faces every week, and the community within the movement cultivates as newcomers see the benefits of buying local.

Similar to UCLA’s farmers’ market is teaching about local foods through schools. The Farms to School Program was created by the USDA to sponsor school cafeterias serving food from local farmers. The program allocates a certain amount of money for each school to spend on USDA Foods and creates a convenient way to choose local foods. The recent high demand for the program created the Farm to School Act of 2015, which increased funding from $5 million to $15 million.

As the Local Food Movement builds stronger support and coherence, there are sure to be even more indicators of growth and success. Already schools are opting to buy from local farms and universities are promoting the goals of the movement directly through farmers’ markets. Hopefully soon, the health of the world will reach a new standard with the movement’s help.

Works Cited

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Karp, David. "Farmers Markets: Bruins like to Feed on Fresh Fruit and Vegetables." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2013. Web. 21 Oct. 2015. <http://www.latimes.com/food/la-fo-farmers-markets-online-20130503-story.html>.

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Mercola, Joseph. "The Good Food Movement: Increasing Healthy Locally Grown Food." Mercola.com. Dr. Joseph Mercola, 15 Feb. 2015. Web. 21 Oct. 2015. <http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/02/15/good-food-movement.aspx>.

"National Farm to School Network." CNR2015. National Farm to School Network, 2015. Web. 17 Oct. 2015. <http://www.farmtoschool.org/cnr2015>.

Robbins, Ocean. "How the Food Movement Is Gaining Strength - Food Revolution Network." Food Revolution Network. Food Revolution Network, 12 Dec. 2012. Web. 21 Oct. 2015. <http://foodrevolution.org/blog/food-movement-gaining-strength/>.

"USDA ERS - Chart: Number of U.S. Farmers’ Markets Continues to Rise." USDA ERS - Chart: Number of U.S. Farmers’ Markets Continues to Rise. USDA, 4 Aug. 2014. Web. 17 Oct. 2015. <http://ers.usda.gov/data-products/chart-gallery/detail.aspx?chartId=48561&ref=collection&embed=True&widgetId=37373>.