| A spatial analysis within a political ecology framework is used to assess policies associated with farmers' markets in British Columbia. In this light, I examine farmers' markets with two objectives in mind: decreasing energy throughput and dispersing institutional power. I develop four categories of policy recommendations for supporting farmers' markets as a component of alternative food systems: (1) support for the development and management of farmers' markets, (2) support for local agriculture, (3) support for civil society initiatives bolstering food security, and (4) provision of educational opportunities. Within each category, I provide specific recommendations for both provincial and local/regional policy implementation. These need to be implemented with respect to an overall framework that ensures that all farmers' markets lead to reduced and circular throughput and power. Farmers' markets are an example of a component of alternative food systems that should be supported by provincial, regional and local policy. |
