The Feasibility of Regional Food Systems in Metropolitan Areas: An Investigation of Philadelphia's Foodshed

Abstract

A rapidly globalizing food system raises important questions of environmental sustainability, food security, public health, and nutrition. The local food movement has been arguing for localization and regionalization of the food system as an effective strategy to counteract the risks of a globalized food system and promote sustainability. However, confusion abounds about what constitutes a local food system, and to date little evidence exists regarding the capacity of local food systems to support major metropolitan areas in the global North. This paper quantifies the ability of the Philadelphia region to support the dietary requirements of that city's population. Food production data for three foodshed scenarios in the Philadelphia region is analyzed and compared to the dietary requirements of the population based on federal dietary guidelines and current consumption patterns in the metropolitan region.