A local food system is a collaborative network that integrates sustainable food production, processing, distribution, consumption, and waste management in order to enhance the environmental, economic, and social health of a particular area. Growing, processing, and distributing food locally creates and sustains community-based jobs. Direct marketing channels between farmers and consumers (e.g., through farmers’ markets) boost local farmers’ incomes. In contrast to large, industrial farms, small family farms are more likely to spend their money in the community on farm-related inputs (e.g., machinery, seeds, farm supplies, etc.) and engage in farming practices that do not harm their community’s physical environment. In Pandemic situations, the local food system ensures balanced diet and good nutrition to boost immunity

Importance of local food system :

• It ensures Immunity building, & Nutritional Security
• It is cost-effective for cultivation and consumption
• It is eco–friendly
• It facilitates Bio-diversity
• It helps small and marginal farmers

With a motto of preserving local food system, the community belong to various parts of India have celebrated Walkathon 2022 on February 12, 2022 at different levels. A range of campaigns including recipe contests, awareness programme with students, and resource lectures to reinforce importance of local food system were happened.

Cluster level Walkathon

Stakeholders meet for the cause

Food mela

Goal setting meet at community level

Experience Sharing on local food system

Recipe contest