Organic Markets, Participatory Guarantee Systems, and Community-Supported Agriculture for Sustainable Food Communities

Abstract

Local and organic food is of global importance and benefits our health, community, and environment. Today, people come together and build a food community to access local and organic food directly from the farmers under a chain of trust. It is an amazing opportunity to support small farmers and reach fresh produce. Organic markets, participatory guarantee systems, farm shares or community supported agriculture, work exchange, and other co-operatives allow us to connect with one another and perpetuate social and ecological sustainability. This chapter analyzes these direct organic marketing mechanisms and community building ways towards green economy. It demonstrates these cultures and gives some best practices in the creation of sustainable food community networks around the world. The chapter concludes with emphasizing the significance on the sociality and locality, thus contributing to the long-term goal of sustainable development and resilience.