This is a repost from FSNE

A New England Food Vision sets bold “50 by 60” goal: Collaborative report imagines that region can produce at least 50 percent of clean, just, fair and accessible food for all New Englanders by 2060.r all  Food Solutions New England (FSNE) is thrilled to announced the release of A New England Food Vision, a collaborative report and bold vision outlining how New England can locally produce at least of 50 percent of clean, fair, just and accessible food for all citizens by 2060. Incorporating more than three years of collaborative research and input from hundreds of voices throughout New England, A New England Food Vision imagines a future that is possible if our region were to commit to supporting sustainable food systems for all New Englanders. “Today it takes an estimated 16 million acres to feed New England’s 14.5 million residents, but the region has just two million acres of active farmland,” states Brian Donahue, Associate Professor of American Environmental Studies at Brandeis University and one of A New England Food Vision authors. “Business as usual will no longer suffice. As a region, we must rethink how we can support more of our own population – and grow local economies – through local, sustainable food production.” A New England Food Vision is bold in aspiration — healthy food for all, sustainable farming and fishing amidst thriving communities; and bold in scope — a tripling of land in food production, vibrant working water fronts and healthy ecosystems. A New England Food Vision does not offer a plan, but it does challenge us to design and engage in actions that will transform our food system. “We believe that A New England Food Vision will create new conversations, new collaborations and new, actionable plans,” states Tom Kelly, Chief Sustainability Officer at the University of New Hampshire and another A New England Food Vision author. “To achieve this bold goal of '50 by 60,' we will need diverse voices to imagine a future in which food nourishes a social, economic and environmental landscape that supports a high quality of life for everyone in our region, for generations to come.”   Download the collaborative report Funding was provided by the Baker Foundation, Tides Foundation, Henry P. Kendall Foundation, John Merck Fund, 1772 Foundation, and the Claneil Foundation.

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Fourth Annual New England Food Summit!- Day 2

I was elected as a state delegate to represent Rhode Island at the Fourth Annual Food Solutions New England Summit in Pawtucket Rhode Island on June 12 & 13, 2014.

Food Solutions New England or FSNE is a regional food systems learning-action network dedicated to advancing a sustainable New England food system. The UNH Sustainability Institute serves as the backbone organization for FSNE.

To read my post on Food Solutions New England click here

To read my post on Day one of the New England Food Summit click here

DAY 2-

Day two started bright and early with a continuation of our discussion on racial equity and food justice.

We then met as individual states to discuss next steps by state and as by a region.

The Rhode Island delegation made it clear that supported the Living Wage movement was one of its top priorities.

Rhode Island Food Policy Council 

http://www.foodsolutionsne.org/new-england-food-vision

http://action.clf.org/site/Survey?

Fourth Annual New England Food Summit!- Day 1

DAY 1-

We started today's conference with a conversation about Racial Equality and Food Justice  and the following are just a few take aways from our presenters and small group table discussions. (this is a very brief snapshot that I will update once I receive the information presented)

• 97% of all farms are owned by whites 

• Food system change is not a luxury it is a necessity

• Local food is not intrinsically good... It's only good if it delivers on social and environmental values

• There's a lot to be said about the healing power of growing your own food.

• Sustainability can't happen without racial justice

• New England Food Vision: Healthy food is a fundamental human right

• Local food is only good if it delivers on social and environmental values.

• The new paradigm begins as soon as you're ready to perceive it.

• Not just about individual behavior and consumer actions, it's about a systemic change in our society

After lunch (see the menu below) we discussed the 50 by 60 Food Vision

The New England Food calls for our region to build the capacity to produce at least 50% of food in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner, that promotes health and is accessible by all New Englanders by 2060.

 To read the New England Food Vision (to read the complete document click here). 

Highlights

The Four Core Values:

1. Rights to Food: Access to adequate healthy, culturally appropriate foods at all times is a basic human right for all.
2. Healthy Eating: New Englanders will move towards healthier eating patterns, including eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and both plant and animal sources of protein.
3. Sustainability: Regional food production, procurement and access will be advanced embracing environmentally respective practices, economically just principles and social responsible behaviors.
4. Community Stability: Strong local and regional agricultural and sustainable fisheries will help New England communities thrive by providing a decent livelihood  to farmers and fisherman, while creating and maintaining attractive communities  for people to live in, work in and visit.  

KEEPING WITH THE URBAN THEME

A FOOD TRUCK LUNCH