Resilience, social capital and the local food system : a look at the local food system in Muncie, Indiana

This research seeks to review the principles of community resilience and examine how social capital can build resilience in communities. The Japanese Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina provide backdrop to the research and discussion of social capital. After establishing social capital as a means of creating resilience, the concept of local food systems and their relationship to social capital will be examined. Finally, using Muncie, Indiana as an example, the relationship between individuals and the local food systems will be examined for indicators of social capital and resilience and suggestions will be made for strengthening this social network.