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![]() These sustainability benefits are realized to a great extent in the Greater Victoria Capital Region due to the fact that it comprises a large number of organic producers, with 25 certified organic producers in total (Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, 1999, as cited in MacNair, 2004). ![]() One of these benefits is supporting the land on which food is produced for example, though prevention of soil erosion (Arden-Clarke & Hodges, 1988). This benefits the region since organic practices have various sustainability benefits. In the Greater Victoria Capital Region, there is a high proportion of organic producers compared to other regions in BC (MacNair, 2004). Since fossil fuels cause pollution and directly impact climate change (Hegrl et al., 2006), reducing the distance that food travels translates into environmental (and related socio-economic) benefits. The distance food takes to travel is directly related to the amount of fossil fuels required to get it there. Through reducing the distance that food is transported, farmers’ markets decrease “food miles”. Local food production and distribution can assist in fostering food security for the local region. The more food that is grown on Vancouver Island, the more the residents of the island will be buffered in the event of disruptions of long distance food supply such as weather events or political instabilities. Thus farmers’ markets, through their contextual embeddedness, have more potential to instigate sustainable practices within the local area where they occur than do industrial food systems.įarmers’ markets encourage local food security through their promotion and support of local food production. In this situation, impacts related to food practices, such as soil erosion and water consumption, are issues of immediate concern. (1996) explain that a community, which depends upon its community members, neighbouring lands, and native species to provide for most of its needs has to make sure the resources it uses to satisfy those needs are maintained in a healthy state. Local sustainability is directly related to contextual embeddedness. ![]() In industrial food systems, natural parameters are often not even perceived due to the wide distances between causes and effects. Local food practices adapt to fit natural parameters and constraints, which are perceived as limits to be respected, not obstacles to be overcome (Kloppenburg et al., 1996). The impacts of these practices cannot be distanced and externalized in the same manner that they often are in the long-distance, industrial food system. Local food system practices such as farmers’ markets are directly tied to place and time as well as social, economical, ethical and physical systems within which they are located. This can then lead to more sustainable practices. This does not mean that local food systems are inherently more sustainable than industrial food systems, but that they are more apt to acknowledge the importance of relying on locally available resources and recognizing interdependencies between local producers and consumers. As well, key issues, such as CRD health regulations, accessibility and inclusion of low-income consumers, and market standards regarding local and organic products, must be addressed by related stakeholders, partners, and the market committee.įarmers’ markets, through their potential to sustain and support the local food system, can contribute to sustainability goals. ![]() However, before implementing the market, it is advised that further research and consultation be undertaken with respect to concerns such as location, scheduling, products offered, features, and types of marketing. The study considers the creation of a farmers' market in the Royal Oak area of Saanich, BC. Though it is necessary to be realistic about the ability of farmers’ markets to alter the industrial food system, farmers’ markets have the potential to be instrumental in supporting the local food system. Given the links between local food systems and sustainability and the desired role of farmers’ markets in local food systems, studying farmers’ markets can offer insights into the barriers and opportunities that exist for strengthening local food systems and achieving sustainability outcomes. In particular, it concentrates on farmers’ markets, an important aspect of food distribution. This case study addresses a key component of the local food system: food distribution by local agricultural producers. There is a movement towards strengthening the local food system on Vancouver Island. ![]()
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