The mission of the center is to assist in the development of sustainable and organic food systems, with an emphasis on local and regional systems. The center’s achievements have direct application in Florida and other regions of the USA. The goals of the Center are to: (1) facilitate multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional research programs that will provide the scientific basis for sustainable and organic food systems; (2) disseminate science-based information about local and regional food systems developed by the University of Florida, other land grant institutions, the United States Department of Agriculture, and other public and private institutions; and (3) Incorporate an appropriate focus on food systems in current and new undergraduate and graduate-level courses offered by the University of Florida.