Food can play a powerful role in promoting health, as well as building strong and diverse communities, protecting the environment and strengthening the economy. But there's a rising concern about the role that our current food system plays in a range of current problems – hunger, obesity, chronic disease, food safety scares, the viability of local farm communities, and more.

To address the issues, many communities coordinate a strategic approach to food in order to support a healthier and more sustainable food system by using research, facilitation, partnership building, and, most of all, by creating supportive policies and implementing specific, tangible projects.

Food Security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy lifestyle.