Organic local food production can provide an engine for sustainable regional economic development.  A sustainable economy  is based on five key assumptions:

• Healthy food should be the right for everyone, not the privilege of a few.
• Environmental health must ground al entrepreneurial initiatives.
• Educational opportunities provide the means for cultural growth.
• Increasing meaningful employment within communities supports dignity for individuals and families.
• Indigenous knowledge is an integral part of the culture and history of a local community.

The challenge in developing such an economy is to integrate this with appropriate technology and leadership.

Food Tank is an organization promoting such economies based on healthy food systems.  They will convene their first annual summit in Washington D.C. January 21-22, 2015.  While tickets for this event have been sold out,  one can follow a live stream of the conference.  Visit Food Tank's web site at www.foodtank.com for details.  The stories of other innovative groups sponsoring Food Tank can also be found on this site.

The Center for Governmental Studies at Northern Illinois University hosted a conference on institutionalizing local food systems  in October 2013.  This summit takes the discussion to the next level.