**2.1. Local versus global food systems**

The food system is composed of all activities involving production, processing, transport and consumption of food [10]. Food systems are categorized in local food systems and global food systems.

Increased globalization of food systems, large-scale production and distribution, and retail sales have changed the way food is produced and consumed. Prior to World War II, most of the agricultural production and marketing systems had strong local or regional bases. Since that time, many farms evolved to embrace new technologies to gain competitive advantages in the marketplace. As farming practices evolved and farmers became more specialized, the number of farms in both the U.S. and Canada fell significantly. [19] describes how American consumers have continued to demand quality food, but at the lowest price possible. The result of such demand has been the relocation of large farms to where land and labor costs are low. This system encourages a divide between land and people, between farm and city, and producers/farmers and consumers; food is no longer a social activity.

Nowadays, the idea of committing to eating only locally produced foods has become popular. Further, local agricultural knowledge and traditional farming methods have been lost and replaced with standardized production methods and consumption patterns. In this complex globalized food system, most food production and processing occur sizeable distances away from where people live, and buy groceries. "*Today's global food system contains fewer farmers on larger farms producing foods for distant markets*." [19]. In their research, [7], reference the work of McMichael (2000), Kimbrell (2002), Nestle (2006), Pollan (2006, 2008), indicate that the increas‐ ingly industrialized and globally extensive food systems of today are constantly being criticized regarding health, social, economic and environmental problems. This disconnect has also created many concerns with respect to food safety, food security, health, and sustainabil‐ ity. Local alternatives that are developing, as some would argue, are a response to this globalization trend [16]. Hence, strong interest by consumers and farmers to reconnect and reestablish these connections has led to an increase in the number of farmers markets, community supported agriculture groups, and local food initiatives such as food baskets.
