University - based Models for Sustainable Food Systems

In discussing the relationship between food and sustainability, three main points must be made. First, food is fundamental to sustainability. For a long time food has operated in the shadows of energy, LEED construction, and other physical aspects of sustainability. In reality, however, one cannot have sustainability without addressing food and agriculture. Second, food cannot be dealt with in isolation; there is a positive and necessary synergy between other aspects of sustainability and food and agriculture issues. Finally, institutional responses to food, agriculture and nutrition must be developed as part of any sustainability effort in higher education.