Producers across the country felt the financial burden of the BSE crisis. Co-operative marketing initiatives and community-supported agriculture are examples of how farmers use creativity and determination to change catastrophe into opportunity.

With markets at an all-time low, some ranchers developed direct marketing businesses to sell their beef. Consumers concerned about the safety of conventional beef turned to these local food sources, where trust-based relationships provided reassurance of safe, healthy food. Building on the momentum of the local food movement, these initiatives represent an important alternative to the traditional food system and are challenging the way we think about food.

For more information on these projects and other food security related research, please visit the Linking, Learning, Leveraging website.