U.S.-Based Community Food Security: Influences, Practice, Debate

Abstract

The practice, policies, and debate associated with U.S.-based community food security (CFS) reflect the historical development of food rights and food security at the International and US national, state, and local community scales. First, CFS in the U.S. has multiple and conflicting definitions that are locally defined within a context of entitlement rights and global trade. Second, the political economy that generates conditions of local food Insecurity is increasingly countered within a framework of international economic and political rights. Third, the capability to claim economic rights may require the cross-sectoral efforts of activists, public officials, entrepreneurs, and academics. In this paper, we provide a short history of international food rights and food security and a background on the diversity of CFS perspectives and practice in the United States. We identify some of the many entry points for CFS activities to portray the need for a system-wide strategy to address food security.