Food Chain - Issue 201a - September 2024 | Page 13

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Interview can be done to establish connections . Food banks , for example , traditionally provide canned goods but I came across an initiative in Wales that worked to connect food banks with local allotments and community gardens . While this isn ’ t revolutionary , it ’ s a step in the right direction to establishing connections rather than vicious cycles in the food system .
“ From solidarity purchasing groups to community fridges , there are many examples of the positive ways in which people are helping to feed themselves and others . A community fridge is one example of a system that helps to mitigate environmental impacts while feeding struggling citizens . Likewise , in the realm of public food procurement , there are many fragmented examples of best practice . I worked on a marvelous example of localization of the school food system in Scotland . There were clear benefits associated with ensuring that schools were sourcing local food , one of which was notably the reduction in food miles by 70 percent . This is an example of one of the first reform initiatives . It occurred approximately 20 years ago and had a multiplying effect of generating £ 160,000 for the local economy .
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