Sustainability of the Food System

A sustainable food system ensures adequate, safe, affordable, and healthy food that meets nutritional needs in culturally and socially acceptable ways while protecting natural resources and limiting environmental damage. Factors associated with climate change will directly impact the amount and types of foods that are produced and the locations for food production on a global scale. The primary causes of climate change include human activity that generates greenhouse gases. Food production both consumes and produces greenhouse gases. Predictions about the impact of climate change on food production indicate both positive and negative effects are likely. The many features of sustainable food systems and the role of farmers, food producers, and consumers in such systems are discussed.