Connecting Urban Food Plans to the Countryside: Leveraging Denver’s Food Vision to Explore Meaningful Rural–Urban Linkages

Becca Jablonski (), Michael Carolan, James Hale, Dawn Thilmany, Erin Love, Libby Christensen, Tabitha Covey, Laura Bellows, Rebecca Cleary (), Olaf David, Kevin E. Jablonski, Andrew S. Jones, Paul Meiman, Jason Quinn, Elizabeth P. Ryan, Meagan Schipanski, Hailey Summers and Mark Uchanski
Additional contact information
Michael Carolan: Department of Sociology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
James Hale: Department of Sociology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Erin Love: Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Libby Christensen: Routt County Extension, Colorado State University, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477, USA
Tabitha Covey: Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Laura Bellows: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Olaf David: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Kevin E. Jablonski: Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Andrew S. Jones: Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Paul Meiman: Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Jason Quinn: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Elizabeth P. Ryan: Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Meagan Schipanski: Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Hailey Summers: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Mark Uchanski: Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 7, 1-18

Abstract: Cities are increasingly turning to food policy plans to support goals related to food access, food security, the environment, and economic development. This paper investigates ways that rural farmers, communities, and economies can both support and be supported by metropolitan food-focused initiatives. Specifically, our research question asked what opportunities and barriers exist to developing food policies that support urban food goals, particularly related to local procurement, as well as rural economic development. To address this question, we described and analyzed a meeting of urban stakeholders and larger-scale rural producers related to Colorado’s Denver Food Vision and Plan. We documented and explored “findings” gleaned from a supply chain diagraming and data compilation process that were then used to inform an event that brought together diverse supply chain partners. Three findings stand out. First, facilitating dialog between urban food policymakers and rural producers to understand potential tensions, mitigate such tensions, and capitalize on opportunities is essential. Second, perceptions and expectations surrounding “good food” are nuanced—a timely finding given the number of preferred procurement programs emerging across the county. Third, critical evaluation is needed across a diverse set of value chain strategies (e.g., conventional and alternative distribution) if food policy intends to support heterogeneous producers, their communities, and urban food policy goals.

Keywords: food policy; urban-rural linkage; local food; farm; rural development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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