IATP's Local Foods program supports food systems that fairly compensate farmers, strengthen local economies and communities, enhance the environment and provide healthy food for all.

To us, "local" is about more than simply distance. We work to build local food systems that advance a broader set of values, including local ownership, social justice, ecological resilience and public health. That means working from "farm to fork" and beyond, including production, distribution, processing, consumption and post-consumer waste.

To this end, we work to ensure that healthy foods are available to all, regardless of income, while also making sure that farmers are able to make a living producing our food. We are exploring opportunities to work with businesses in the "middle of the chain," such as processors and distributors, to ensure these values are retained as local food systems scale up. While much of our work is focused on the Upper Midwest, we also work to build strong local food systems nationally and around the world.

We both implement on-the-ground projects and pursue strategies that support broad-based, systemic change in our food system. The Local Foods program also works with fellow staff to connect our work to IATP programs focused on human health, rural development, international trade and the environment.

We are committed to:

• Strengthening small- and medium-scale sustainable farming
• Expanding markets and infrastructure for local food systems
• Increasing access to local foods, particularly in low-income communities that often lack healthy food options
• Providing analysis of, and education about, the economic, social and policy drivers that influence food production, availability and consumption
• Advancing policy change to support local food systems, from individual institutional policies to city, state and federal policy
• Creating partnerships among the local foods, public health and nutrition, sustainable agriculture, education, and environmental communities

Healthy Food for All This IATP report explores how cornerstores around the US are providing healthier food options. August, 2009 | PDF

New Healthy WIC Foods Available in Minnesota August 1 IATP partners with MN Dept of Health on expanding availability of fresh fruits and vegetables. July 29, 2009 | Press release | PDF

IATP Congratulates Abbott Northwestern on Healthy Food Initiative July 23, 2009 | Press release | PDF

IATP Applauds Mayor, City Council on Local Food Initiative Action will help expand Minneapolis' local food production June 26, 2009 | Press release | PDF