(1) Frees the farmer from having to seek profits in order to make a living. (2) Determines in advance what and how much to produce; creates a needs-based rather than production-based economy. (3) Reduces waste at the production and distribution level. (4) Relieves the farmer from carrying all the risk. (5) Encourages consumers to eat locally grown food whenever possible and farmers to expand local varieties of food. (6) Creates a dynamic whereby consumers and producers can go beyond their own self-interests. (7) Helps consumers to know the human and environmental conditions under which the food they consume is produced.