There are good reasons to question our current food supply system. Not only have we seen devastating problems that stem from contamination - think listeriosis, Salmonella, and even BSE - but the whole towering construct is built on some pretty shaky foundations. And the time has come to take a good hard look.

Increasingly, consumers are dissatisfied and turning to alternatives. Whether deciding to become vegetarian or vegan, choosing organic, or buying local, these are all implicit criticisms of the existing options.

A new initiative has addressed this issue in the US. The Declaration for Healthy Food and Agriculture sets out some very relevant and succinct arguments. The aim is to accelerate the process for changing food and agricultural guidelines. After all, the past decade has seen increasing awareness of many related topics, including climate change, energy generation, food quality, and agricultural methods. So the Declaration intends to provide a basic outline of the necessary changes. It also solicits input and endorsement by individuals.

The basic points include the following:

• Existing food systems are based on large-scale agricultural practices, including using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. But there is increasing evidence that these methods poison the air, soil, groundwater, and coastal waters.

• When fuels were inexpensive, it was easy to transport products over long distances. But current production and distribution systems are unmanageable with rising petroleum prices and emission concerns.

• Centralizing the supply makes sense for commercial economics, but becomes more problematic when sources become difficult to track. Contamination or other food-chain challenges are almost impossible to pinpoint, and it is certainly not a timely process.

• In the past, land and water seemed limitless. In 2009, it is clear that this is not true. Agricultural techniques need to be more efficient, using less land and water per unit of production. Otherwise, it will be impossible to feed an ever-growing global population.

• In the past, cheaper calorie sources were a boon to many people. But with so much excess food available, relying on processed carbohydrate products is proving to be a health hazard.

• Climate change is happening now. Agricultural practices and food habits need to adjust accordingly.

Overall, the Declaration calls for a new approach, based on sustainability, animal welfare, and human benefit. Food needs to be affordable and nutritious, available to everyone. Farmers and farm-workers need to be supported. Diversity should be fostered at every level, from biodiversity to human differences to smaller scale ownership. And food production must be more open, so people can make informed choices.

These are all simple but powerful concepts, speaking some basic truths about how far we have strayed in the past 50-100 years. Several generations back, people knew the source of every ingredient and grew many themselves. Even a generation ago, consumers might have visited a local produce store for seasonal fruits and vegetables and had a favourite butcher shop where locally raised meat was available. Such concepts are rapidly fading in the glare of 24-hour neon lights and megastores.

The potential impact of the Declaration is unknown. It is likely to fall on more receptive ears after January 20th and the swearing-in of a new administration. But it provides a starting template for other countries, such as Canada and members of the EU. Once some change is underway, it will be easier to see how to implement further measures. Whatever happens, it seems like time to rethink how and what we eat.

Photo credit: WxMom@Flickr.com