The global food industry depends heavily on inexpensive fossil fuels. Fertilizers are produced from natural gas, pesticides from oil, and energy is required to grow, proce­ss, transport and store food. A constrained energy future calls for a less energy-intensive food supply, with crops grown locally, processed less, processed locally and shipped over shorter distances. In this regard, Portland is relatively well positioned with its location in the Willamette Valley, which has fertile soils and ample water. By preserving this farmland and expanding food production and processing, the region can create the flexibility needed to adapt to a changing agricultural economy. Portland can expand its options further by developing the land and know-how for small-scale food production by residents within the city itself.

Action items:

a)     Take an active role in preserving the productive capacity of Portland’s foodshed.

• Encourage appropriate agencies to preserve existing farmland and protect productive soils for agricultural use.  This could include the creation of agricultural sanctuaries and conservancies as well as resisting the expansion of the urban growth boundary onto productive farmlands.
• Maintain and strengthen current farmland protections through the “New Look” at Metro and the “Big Look” at the state level.
• Where there is no natural “hard edge” or natural feature available to protect farmland, establish compatible land uses adjacent to farmland.
• Hold on to and preserve City land that could be suitable for urban agricultural uses. Such lands have been identified by the Diggable City project.
• Direct additional resources toward the Diggable City project, the community garden program and other urban agriculture possibilities.
• Explore options to open public and private land for food growing such as financial incentives for leasing private land to the City for community gardens.

b)    Work to reduce the harm from Measure 37 to agriculture in the greater Portland region.

c)     Examine current policies to increase sales directly from farmers to consumers, such as making it easier for farmers’ markets and farmstands to operate and establishing a public market.

d)    Continue assistance and incentives for the food processing industry as one of Portland Development Commission’s priority development clusters

e)     Accelerate planning for a large-scale local commercial composting site.

f)     Provide education about growing, processing, preserving and preparing foods.

• Work with Multnomah County to reinstate the Oregon State University Extension Service. Their programs educate residents about food growing, processing, preserving, composting and cooking.
• Work with the State and Multnomah County to increase nutrition knowledge.
• Encourage schools to teach more about nutrition, where food comes from, how to grow, harvest, process, preserve and prepare foods, and how to compost food waste.