In our current food system, the average American meal travels roughly 1,500 miles to get from farm to plate. This makes it difficult for us to know much about our food -- where it comes from, who it comes from, and how it got to us -- which can ultimately lead to health, economic, and social imbalances in our nation. Fortunately, a social movement in Los Angeles surrounding food issues is emerging, with grassroots and government efforts collectively re-shaping the city.

Urban environments typically lack the necessities to foster an agricultural environment. But L.A. has thrived from farming around the urban core, with hard-working leaders making huge strides toward improvement by localizing and regionalizing the system. The food movement here is growing, bringing to focus concerns about food quality and security, aligning local issues with global ones.

We are all part of the food system, which means we must all take part in facing the problems. Service and volunteerism amongst anyone who eats -- which means everyone -- is crucial to make change.