ABSTRACT
This chapter draws on facts about human nature and the importance of food to conclude that working in voluntary cooperation with others to solve food system problems is in alignment with the history of the development of our societies and civilizations. It goes on to make the point that the development of local and regional food supply chains is a natural response to the desire within societies to have secure, consistent access to safe, healthy food. The chapter then emphasizes that supply chains are only part of the picture of food systems change, reiterates that a systems approach is needed, and makes the point that Food Policy Councils (FPCs) are a vital structure needed in order to make systemic change. The chapter ends by emphasizing four things that make FPCs important, and two key requirements for them to be effective.
