Food Security or the Community Food Security Movement, is a global issue of providing sufficient food for the world s growing population without creating widespread environmental damage. Initially, the focus was on productivity and profitability, to which is now being added the issue of sustainability, meaning that policies are not focused on the short-term. It simultaneously addresses issues of ecology, poverty and community. A CFS approach believes strongly in the need to protect and promote local family-based agriculture as an alternative to a globalized food system. CFS strategies such as developing farmers markets and community supported agriculture arrangements in low income communities benefit farmers and consumers by building non-traditional but natural partnerships.
Family farmers benefit with an added source of income.
The Community Food Security Coalition is working on projects like the farmers market in Milwaukee that accepts food stamps and a food-bank sponsored 12 acre farm near Washington D.C. that provides fresh food for hundreds of food pantries, free meal programs and farmstands in the city. This farm is supported by middle-income consumers who purchase a share of its produce through a community supported agriculture arrangement. The issue of food scarcity links different constituencies like sustainable agriculture, anti-hunger, environmentalists, and community development groups. The urbanization of formerly rural countries and regions is causing both food insecurity and environmental degradation. Urban agriculture is an activity that contributes to a solid community economic base through micro-enterprise.