Living Food: Grow, buy locally

The Seattle City Council is about to launch a local food initiative. It's a smart move that will help shape the city's ability to apply good ideas from an ever-growing understanding of how individual and societal food decisions affect health, the environment and the welfare of vulnerable residents.

A measure, introduced last fall by Councilman Richard Conlin, would set goals of creating more opportunities for residents to grow and purchase healthy local foods, strengthening ties with area farms and looking for ways to promote healthy food choices. The resolution also looks toward a citywide food action plan and working with Public Health--Seattle & King County and King County on a permanent local food policy council.

Conlin, now council president, said he is eager to see the city work on ensuring permanent spots for farmers markets, some of which face challenges created by development. His measure would also push to expand community gardening opportunities, especially in low-income neighborhoods.

The initiative should fit well with other priorities, including social justice and the efforts of King County Executive Ron Sims on health, King County Council President Julia Patterson on healthy restaurant menus and Mayor Greg Nickels on climate change. At City Hall events Friday, Frances Moore Lappé, author of the renowned "Diet for a Small Planet," will talk about the importance of local food policies. In a global economy, there's more need than ever for making healthy choices at home from the wealth of foods produced far and near.

On the Net: seattle.gov./council/conlin