Best Practice

GreenStep City Best Practices: Resilient Economic and Community Development
Local Food {BP No. 27}

Strengthen local food production and access.

Optional Best Practice for Step 3 Recognition

Category A, B and C cities: implement this best practice by completing any one action.

Optional Metric for Step 4 Recognition

Metric # 15: Local Food

Summary

The goals of this best practice are to:

  • Protect and expand food-producing land within and near the city.
  • Increase the availability of locally produced food, and culturally relevant food, for residents and food businesses.

Depending on the specific action(s) taken, benefits of implementing this best practice include increased food security for residents, more healthful food and improved human health, food reflective of residents' cultural heritage, enhanced soil and water quality, reductions in energy use and CO2 emissions, improved wildlife habitat, enhanced community livability and vitality, creation of green jobs, and stronger local economies. For farmers markets alone, of each $100 spent by community members, $62 stays in the local economy and $99 stays in Minnesota's economy. And for farm-to-school programs, every $1 invested in them generates $2.16 back to the local economy according to the National Farm to School Network.

Greenstep Advisor

Mike Zastoupil male with light skin, medium length dark hair, facial hair, and a blue dress shirt.

Mike Zastoupil, Agricultural and Food Systems Planner, MN Department of Agriculture: 651/201-6369, michael.zastoupil@state.mn.us, https://www.mda.state.mn.us/business-dev-loans-grants/local-regional-markets 

Connection to State Policy

The MN Department of Health's Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) funds community health boards and tribal governments across Minnesota to increase access to healthy foods.

The Agricultural Grown, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Program supports the advancement of Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy industries. AGRI provides numerous grand and cost-share programs to aid in development. 

Minnesota Grown is a statewide partnership between the MN Department of Agriculture and Minnesota producers of specialty crops and livestock. Search the directory and more.

Benefits