The Local Food Trust
Ford vs. Ferrari –
The movie Ford vs. Ferrari (2019) is a David and Goliath tale of mass-marketing commercialization vs. craftsmanship. It explores the consequences of mass production and affordability versus methodical craftsmanship. It is about cars and has nothing to do with food or our food system – or does it?
The U.S. food system is a $10 trillion-dollar linear sector built on a “take-make-dispose” capitalistic model. It relies on supply and demand pricing over community resilience. It often leaves small and mid-scale producers vulnerable, underfunded, and lacking the infrastructure to compete in larger markets with volatile supply chains.
Most of us first think of a grocery store when considering the food system.
Like a grocery store, the food system is complex, offers many choices, it is segmented – produce, meats, dairy, bakery, beverages, canned goods, packaged goods, etc. There are people to help you find what you want or need, stock the shelves, and take your money to complete the purchase.
The food system doesn’tstart at the loading dock. It begins at hundreds if not thousands of miles away from where you shop (unless you are a hyperlocal consumer). The food system is not just about the food you eat; it drives our economy.
While currently treated as a private good by the industrial food system (bought and sold for profit), viewing food as a common or public good implies it is a fundamental human right, a natural resource, and a shared social responsibility.
That’s why our approach to building an equitable and inclusive food system is philanthropy! We approach food system equity through philanthropy. It's how mission-driven businesses and communities get funded when traditional debt and equity aren't viable, and it's accessible to anyone, not just major donors.
As a consulting group, we coach small and mid-size growers, producers, fishers, intermediaries, and distributors in our local and regional economies. Together we work to achieve best practices related to business development and sustainability. These efforts often require financing in the form of debt or equity.
In simple terms, debt is an expense and equity requires sharing a company’s profit. Philanthropy, on the other hand, requires neither.
The Local Food Trust acts as a philanthropic bridge. We connect investors to farms, producers, and food businesses without risk. There is an immediate tax benefit, i.e., a charitable contribution upon the completion of their transaction. Then, through a careful decision-making process, investments are directed to mission-driven businesses and organizations committed to building community, fair labor practices, and positive environmental impacts. Working in food? Share your story with us. Interested in investing? We'd like to hear from you.
