Local Food System Supply Chain Panel: balancing safety, efficiency, and sustainability

In lieu of their annual in-person forum, the MA Food System Collaborative will host a series of discussions this winter to examine the challenges COVID-19 has presented our local food system with, and what policy solutions might be needed to address them.

In Panel 2 on Monday, January 4, Chuck Currie of Raynham’s Freedom Food Farm joins other local food and health leaders to discuss safety, efficiency, and sustainability in the local food system supply chain. Food supply chains were interrupted this spring as stay at home orders took effect, but local supply chains proved more resilient and adaptable than national and global ones. That adaptation was costly, though, requiring expensive infrastructure, labor-intensive practices, and navigating through complex regulatory systems. Policy experts and practitioners will discuss how they’ve adapted their practices to ensure food can be safely produced and consumed in their communities, and will consider possible policy solutions to overcome the obstacles to sustainability.

Learn more about this particular discussion and the 3 other panels in the Collaborative’s discussion series at their web site.