How will you work within the local foodshed to ensure food security and affordability for our city?
PATRICIA LESKO: Farmers who grow food using sustainable and environmentally sound methods deserve and must be paid a sustainable and living wage for their work and their products. This often conflicts with the notion that food should be “affordable” (whatever that term means). As an individual, I have participated in community supported agriculture since 1990. I have been a member of the People’s Food Co-op for 16 years, and served on the organization’s Board of Directors. On Council, I would certainly support initiatives such as Project Grow, and work to have it expanded. As for food security, again, if we are talking about local food, no food source is completely beyond threat. However, if Michigan shoppers spent just $10 per week purchasing local food products, it would pump more than $35 million dollars per week into the Michigan agricultural economy. So, if I may, I would suggest that it’s ultimately up to people like TeacherPatti to spend her money wisely when she food shops. SAN
