Encouraging farm gate sales and marketing through land use policy

This research brings together concepts of sustainability, a local food system, and farm gate marketing. With these concepts, the research explores two scales of policy planning with regards to land use in Ontario, and answers the question: In Southern Ontario, what is the impact of land use on a farmer's ability to sell at the farm gate? Despite the seemingly simple and small-scale nature of a farmer selling his/her produce at their own farm gate, there is surprising complexity to the myriad policies that apply. The dynamic relationship between eaters, farmer, and planners presents particularly interesting challenges for planners in Southern Ontario. Understand [sic] the local food system and engaging in local food consumption begins to address larger issues of sustainability and farm viability. By providing farmers with opportunities, through land use planning policy, they are able to engage with eaters at the farm gate and accomplish place-making activities.