(A note on food miles and emissions.)
A3.1 Farmland preservation
Support farmland preservation through policies, incentives, and other innovative strategies to maintain production capacity and increase self-sufficiency.
A3.2 Food system assessments
Encourage growth of local markets through market research and assessment of our ability to feed ourselves from regionally produced foods.
A3.3 Processing and distribution hub
Develop a hub to process and distribute regionally-grown agricultural products to local markets (including restaurants, supermarkets, jails, schools, colleges, and hospitals).
A3.4 Institutional markets
Explore local policy and financial incentives to increase the percentage of regionally produced foods purchased by cafeterias in government and municipal institutions.
A3.5 SNAP access
Publicize federal nutrition incentive programs that aim to support small and mid-sized farms, such as SNAP, FMPP, LFPP, and FINI grant.
A3.6 Hemp production
Develop an economic development plan for attracting industrial hemp production as a way to create local jobs and sequester carbon.
A3.7 Woody crops
Provide technical assistance to help residents, businesses, and the agricultural community grow woody perennial crops that help conserve water, store carbon, and provide other ecosystem services.