How to transform food systems for social equity
What can be learned about food systems resilience during a global public health crisis compounded by historic legacies of structural inequalities and racism? What do the conflicting signs of fragility and strength, vulnerability and resilience tell us about the future of food? We explored these questions with some of the food systems leaders featured in the Beacons of Hope project, an ongoing effort to identify and showcase examples of sustainable, equitable, and secure food systems worldwide.
Between May and August of this year, we reached out to some “the Beacons” to speak to them about their work during this challenging time. Reflected throughout our conversations with each of them was the urgent need to address structural power imbalances and, a critical priority for all, ensure inclusive, participatory, rights-based approaches to governance and decision-making.
For example, in speaking to the team at the government-supported Community-Based Natural Farming (CBNF) program in Andhra Pradesh, India, it is clear that governments which have established mechanisms to foster integrated approaches to citizen engagement have been able to address food insecurity much faster than those who have not.
The CBNF program aims to transition six million farms to 100 per cent chemical-free agriculture by 2024, while enhancing environmental conservation and farmers’ welfare. It illustrates the importance of complimenting policy shifts with insights and direction from farmers and advisors based in local communities.
The CBNF team told us about its plans to adapt its program to reconnect the people returning from cities to rural areas with local agriculture. Driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and consequent shutdown, India is experiencing a reverse migration of millions of people to the countryside, in sharp contrast to years of major urbanization. Despite the pressures this change in context brings, CBNF sees this as an opportunity to build social resilience and capacity, rather than a threat, and are adapting accordingly.
Another organization demonstrating and acting on the connection between equity and resilience is EOSTA, a fruit and vegetable distributor based in the Netherlands committed to true cost accounting. The company recently carried out a Living Wage assessment of one of its mango suppliers in Burkina Faso, finding that an additional cost of 10 cents per kilo of mangoes would close the pay gap for the 199 employees there.
CEO, Volkert Engelsman, told us that though there are several social certification schemes designed to monitor and improve working conditions, there is no label yet that guarantees a Living Wage. In committing to a Living Wage, EOSTA recognizes the unique social and economic realities of food producers to address structural inequities compounded by low incomes. He said: “If we fail to work towards Living Wages, the wealth gap will grow. In the long run, these costs will inevitably come back to us through migration waves or social unrest, since we live in a global village.” EOSTA has since launched a Living Wages consumer trademark initiative.
A third example is the Indigenous Partnership for Agrobiodiversity and Food Sovereignty. The focus of their work is protecting knowledge keepers and they have taken important action to support elders during the COVID-19 crisis. In response to the pandemic, one of their partners, the North East Slow Food & Agrobiodiversity Society in Meghalaya State of India, set up separate social distancing rooms for community elders and traditional knowledge holders to socially isolate if needed with appropriate support and care available.
While many people, businesses, and organizations are struggling with the far-reaching impacts of COVID-19, we are inspired by how these Beacons of Hope are responding to — and recovering from — the crisis locally. Their work to address structural inequities creates space to build long-term resilience, showing us that a different approach to food systems can not only support economic revitalization and protect the vulnerable, but also uplift marginalized communities, and more.
Food systems are a nexus point for so many of the challenges that we face today. And, yet, they can clearly provide the solutions we urgently need. Now is the time for courage to make different decisions, to choose a different path. Now is the time for global decision-makers to answer the call for food systems transformation.
Do you know any other potential Beacons of Hope? What COVID-19 responses have inspired you and point to the broader food systems transformation we so desperately need? Please share your suggestions in the response section below.
Some of the other initiatives that we’ve spoken to over the past few months include:
- The Common Market: a non-profit distributor of sustainably grown food in the US. During the COVID-19 crisis, Common Market strengthened their activities, shifting from distributing food to institutions to direct emergency food assistance. The volume of food they distribute has increased, more farmers have become involved, jobs for people in need have been created, all while delivering quality nutritious, sustainable food.
- Lagos Food Bank: an innovative food bank which operates short term food assistance jointly with long-term family, farming and school support programs. During the lockdown, Lagos Food Bank strengthened its partnerships and expanded its operations to 30 additional communities.
- Quito Resiliente: Quito’s resilience strategy, developed over the past 10 years and consolidated through a multi-actor platform and the Agrifood Pact of Quito, proved to be key when the COVID-19 crisis hit the city and distribution chains were disrupted. Building on previous relationships with different sectors, the City of Quito quickly organized several initiatives in response to the pandemic, from regulating and strengthening bio-protection measures in wholesale markets to increasing food delivery programs.
- Gastromotiva Social Kitchens: a restaurant and kitchen hub for social gastronomy, Gastromotiva Social Kitchens set-up a network of “solidarity kitchens’’ in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Working with its networks of alumni and partners, Gastronomia, supported chefs to rapidly transform their kitchen spaces to create meals for vulnerable people.
