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.