Serious study is being given to the way that food here is produced, processed, distributed, accessed, consumed and disposed of, and action will be taken to improve the local food system when the assessment is completed.

Dozens of government officials, food activists, business representatives and other volunteers are members of the Springfield Area Local Food Task Force, which was formed last summer through a coalition of the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Buy Fresh Buy Local Central Illinois, Slow Food Springfield and Foods Not Lawns Springfield.

Why aren’t there more locally grown and processed foods served in our schools? Why isn’t more land given over to community gardens? Why is it difficult for area farmers to sell directly to consumers? Why aren’t more underutilized plots of land in Springfield used for urban farming?

Barriers to the development of a vibrant local food system are being looked at. To that end, Ken Meter, a Minnesota-based economist known for his pioneering study of food and farm economies, has been studying the Sangamon County area.

Perhaps the most surprising fact so far gleaned from his research is that the food system in the Sangamon County area is hardly benefiting anybody.

A local food system should build health, wealth, connections and capacity, he said during a recent presentation of the initial results of his study.

“Our current food system is failing on all four of these counts,” said Meter, who is president of Crossroads Resource Center, a nonprofit community planning organization.

Residents of the Sangamon County region spend $1.2 billion on food each year, he said. But $1 billion of that is spent on foods generated outside this area. In other words, the food system is causing money to leave this area.

“If local folks bought even 15 percent of all household food directly from farmers here, there would be $100 million in new farm income in this region,” he said.

Farm capacity would increase, area residents would strengthen ties, and local foods would contribute to good health.

Meter’s final report is due in September, and new initiatives are expected to launch later this year. Until then, here are some things you can do to get involved in the local food movement.

--Plant a garden. Whether in your backyard, someone else’s or in a community garden, grow some of your own food.

--Buy from local farmers. Besides Springfield’s two farmers markets, there are farmers markets and roadside stands in many area towns. Shop there, or buy directly from the farms.

--Seek local foods in supermarkets. Thanks to Buy Fresh Buy Local signs, consumers can identify Beardstown melons or Calhoun County peaches in grocery stores that participate in the program. If you don’t see local produce, ask.

--Order local menu items in restaurants. They often are highlighted on the menu. In addition, Local Flavors — a series of meals at Springfield restaurants — will run from May 18 to November 4. For a list of participating restaurants and dates, go online to www.ilstewards.org or ask for a schedule at one of Springfield’s farmers markets.

Food editor Kathryn Rem can be reached at 788-1520 or kathryn.rem@sj-r.com.