Glossary

Local food systems Place-based and collaborative networks of food production and distribution, which can include, amongst others, food hubs, cooperatives, community-supported agriculture, community gardens, and community organizations.

Food desert An area that has limited access to fresh, affordable, and nutritious food.

Food swamp An area that has an oversupply of unhealthy food.

Alternative and community-

based food systems Local or global food systems that prioritize sustainability, ecological farming practices, reintegration of rural-urban communities, and community autonomy over food choices. 

Geographic Information Systems Computer-based tools that allow us to conceptualize and understand spatial and geographic data, such as mapping available food spaces in an area.

Community food assessment A community-led analysis of the local food landscape, residents’ perceptions of the food available to them, food shopping behaviors, barriers to or opportunities for a healthier food system, and identification of a community’s needs—often designed to help advocacy and local food policy development.

Photo by Héloïse de Bertoli