Farm to Table | Community Health

Farm-to-table is a social movement that promotes serving local food at restaurants and school cafeterias, preferably through direct acquisition from the producer. This movement has gained momentum in recent years, with many restaurants and schools adopting farm-to-table practices to provide fresh, seasonal, and sustainable food to their customers. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the number of farmers' markets in the US has grown from 1,755 in 1994 to over 8,700 in 2020. The farm-to-table movement has also been influenced by concerns about food safety, food freshness, and small-farm economics. By supporting local farmers and food producers, farm-to-table helps to promote food traceability, preserve local food systems, and foster a sense of community around food. As noted by [[alice-waters|Alice Waters]], a pioneer of the farm-to-table movement, 'the most important thing is to get people to understand that food is not just fuel, but a way to connect with the people and the place around them'. With the rise of [[community-supported-agriculture|community-supported agriculture]] programs and [[local-food-systems|local food systems]], the farm-to-table movement is poised to continue growing and shaping the way we think about food.