There is an ongoing debate about the role of controlled environment agriculture and containerized food production in local food systems in Northern North American communities. Some critics dismiss these applications as ineffective, arguing that because they marginalize certain populations they do not have a place in northern food systems. However, such critiques are premature and undermine what may prove to be an important and complementary component of local and regional food systems in the north, particularly if designed and implemented in a culturally appropriate and place-based context. Containerized food production can offer enhanced food production capabilities for communities through year-round production. While there are still concerns about proper growing protocols, scalability, output, durability, and economics, these can be addressed, modified and improved through research and continued applications. New opportunities requiring further exploration in the application of containerized food production systems include, but are not limited to, integrative systems design, the enhancement of community development initiatives, and the integration of the social networks that are necessary for diversified local food production.
Supporting the role of small farms in the European regional food systems: What role for the science-policy interface?
