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z <br />0 <br />H <br />v <br />O <br />Q <br />O <br />a <br />H <br />Z <br />CABARRUS COUNTY FOOD SYSTEM ASSESSMENT <br />Goals, Components and Methodology <br />CONTEXT AND GOALS <br />Food touches the life of every Cabarrus County citizen. By looking at <br />issues of public concern, such as unemployment, urban sprawl, chronic <br />disease, carbon emissions, and food safety, through a "food lens" we <br />can understand ways in which the food system impacts communities, <br />including the areas of public health, natural resource protection, economic <br />development and agriculture. <br />Across North Carolina local governments are examining food systems <br />with an eye toward making them more local and sustainable. By definition, <br />sustainable food systems are integrated to enhance the economic, environ- <br />mental, social and nutritional health of a particular place. <br />In its state action guide, From Farm to Fork: A Guide to Building North <br />Carolina's Sustainable Local Food Economy, the Center for Environmental <br />Farming Systems (CEFS) identifies the many benefits these systems offer <br />to N.C. communities. Examples include increased economic activity at the <br />community level — which leads to job opportunities — greater food safety <br />and security, and improved health outcomes. Viable local food systems can <br />also harness consumer spending to support N.C. producers. <br />The Cabarrus Board of Commissioners has made it a priority to establish <br />the County as a sustainable community, one that meets present needs <br />without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. <br />Commissioners agree a local food system that fosters local production, <br />processing, distribution, and consumption of food in Cabarrus County is <br />at the heart of a sustainable community. A food system assessment can <br />provide a valuable strategic planning tool that highlights the connections <br />between food, health, natural resource protection, economic development <br />and agriculture. <br />The purpose of Cabarrus County Food System Assessment is two -fold. <br />First, it provides an initial evaluation of the food system in Cabarrus <br />County and, where appropriate, the surrounding region. Second, it <br />