1) Imagine that a comprehensive, local food system is possible.

Without dreamin
g it up, it can't become a reality. Conceptualizing what a local food system wo
uld be like is key to bringing it into existence. Leave nothing out of the pla
n: Think big, think small, think of the impossible and think of the easy steps t
hat will lead to reaching the goal.
2) Include every local food source as a contributor to the overall, local food s
upply. Organic, non-organic, grass fed, corn fed, raised in a greenhouse, grown
in raised beds, processed, not processed - if it contributes to the amount of l
ocal food produced, then it should be counted as a legitimate "food asset" for t
he local food system.
3) Plant a Mittleider Garden. The Mittleider Gardening Technique can be found o
nline at http://www.FoodForEveryone.org. It is a non-profit, educational foundat
ion that shows people how to raise 500% more produce in raised beds that are 30'
X 5'. The soil is enriched with minerals and ready to go the first season of p
lanting. Tomatoes raised this way average out to $0.05 per pound. It is a prov
en garden technique used around the world.
4) Schedule an educational program about developing a local food supply at your
church, local club, school or any other public venue. The key to establishing a
workable food system is to provide access for others to learn about how to beco
me more involved in raising their own food. Awareness is the key. No sustainab
le living concept has ever succeeded without educational materials and resources
provided for free to the general public.
5) Identify the obstacles to developing a local food system. I always hear from
others that if they only had enough money to start a greenhouse or a small acre
farm, that they would go ahead and do it. But if we all wait around for money
before doing the background work necessary to build a local food system, then we
will not be prepared to put the system together if and when the financial backi
ng arrives. Yes, it takes hard work to develop a local food supply, but it can
be done in small steps before any money has to be invested in seeds, greenhouses
, equipment, grow beds, livestock and supplies.
6) Avoid politicizing anything that has to do with local food production. This
is America. People can choose what they want to eat. They can also educate the
mselves about the nutritional value of food and the various farming methods. Th
e information is available for free on the internet. Keep the message simple: L
ocal food is fun, it tastes good and it supports the local economy. Focus on th
e benefits of increasing the local food supply.
7) Keep it simple. There are local food systems in America that use the interne
t to help people order local food. What's the point? If it's local, then it sh
ould be face-to-face, personal and a community effort. We don't need an online
ordering process to find a cucumber from the next town over. It's better to kno
w the grower and buy directly from them.
8) Come up with a system that works with supermarkets, not against them. Superm
arket chains are run by local people who make decisions for their stores every d
ay. Some of these companies are willing to work with local growers to sell thei
r produce at their stores. Some of these companies are even partnering with loc
al growers.
9) Try your best to understand how food is distributed to your local supermarket
s. Where does the food come from? Are there some foods that local supermarkets
would be better off purchasing from local suppliers? Is it possible to raise t
hose foods all year long and supplement what the supermarkets offer? Can you id
entify ten foods that your local supermarkets would rather purchase from local p
roducers?
10) Check out the best local food system in America. It is called the Willamett
e Farm & Food Coalition. Located in Lane County, Oregon, this local system star
ted over thirty years ago and continues to impress locals and visitors. Here is
their local grown food guide, accessible online at: http://www.lanefood.org/loc
ally-grown.php
*Douglas Stambler spent the last six years traveling around the western United S
tates to study how communities put together sustainable living projects. He is a
 green entrepreneur, professional musician and consultant. You can contact him a
t wcsl.02@gmail.com.