Consumers and employees alike are starting to demand that the companies they support share their values. By participating in voluntary certification programs, businesses can demonstrate that they value sustainability and attract the talent and patronage of like-minded people.
The Farm to School initiative proposes to address food system sustainability problems at their roots through a three-pronged approach of education for school-age children, experiential learning in the form of school gardens, and local food procurement policies for schools. These actions directly promote student health and provide students with a foundation to make healthy and sustainable food choices, as well as fostering economic growth and sustainability in the form of a robust local food economy.
(Image credit: Franklin County Public Health)
Central Ohio communities are fortunate to have access to a host of community organizations and initiatives whose missions are focused on sustainability. All too often, however, opportunities for improvement are missed because the community is not aware of these resources or does not know how to best utilize them. By raising awareness and building relationships with community organizations before they are needed, a community can seize opportunities as they arise.