Routledge Local Food Systems in Old Industrial Regions: Concepts, Spatial Context, and Local Practices (The Dynamics of Economic Space)

In recent years there has been an explosion of interest in local food systems-among policy makers, planners, and public health professionals, as well as environmentalists, community developers, academics, farmers, and ordinary citizens. While most local food systems share common characteristics, the chapters in this book explore the unique challenges and opportunities of local food systems located within mature and/or declining industrial regions. Local food systems have the potential to provide residents with a supply of safe and nutritious food; such systems also have the potential to create much-needed employment opportunities. However, challenges are numerous and include developing local markets of a sufficient scale, adequately matching supply and demand, and meeting the environmental challenges of finding safe growing locations. Interrogating the scale, scope, and economic context of local food systems in aging industrialized cities, this book provides a foundation for the development of new sub-fields in economic, urban, and agricultural geographies that focus on local food systems. The book represents a first attempt to provide a systematic picture of the opportunities and challenges facing the development of local food systems in old industrial regions. Review '... a strong contribution to the existing literature regarding local food systems and urban agriculture. I recommend this book for graduate students, academics, professionals, and community organizers interested in gaining knowledge about the interactions between local food systems and old industrial regions.' Agriculture and Human Values 'This book is for those who understand that ideas inform action, and that action informs ideas. Drawing upon diverse approaches, the contributors highlight conditions in specific industrial regions, address how economic theories may help create poverty, and examine "wicked problems" that defy simple solutions.' Ken Meter, President, Crossroads Resource Center, Minneapolis, USA About the Author Neil Reid is a Director of the Urban Affairs Center and Professor of Geography and Planning at the University of Toledo, USA, Jay D. Gatrell, is Dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies and Professor of Geography at the Indiana State University, USA and Paula Ross is a Research Associate at the Urban Affairs Center, University of Toledo, USA.