Jose Luis Vivero Pol’s Post

The Food Commons Transition. Collective actions to produce, distribute and consume food differently We could design different food systems, whose main goal would be to feed people adequately, enabling food producers and food workers to earn a living. My proposal: to modify the normative valuation of food, from commodity to commons. Food as apubloc good, as we did in Europe for health and education at the beginning of XX century. https://lnkd.in/ekUSdfzZ

UK has become food policy “trailblazer” as EU strategy fails to deliver, say campaigners Many thanks to Elisabeth Mahase for covering our session chaired by Samuele Tonello and with fellow panelists eliza markidou, MEP Lena Schilling and Emma Calvert at Gastein last week! The UK has made important progress with the sugar tax but there is much much more to do. The UK's National Food Strategy is really great but it has also faced the same fate as Farm2Fork. We must do better in the UK and put the National Food Strategy into practice and we must do the same for Farm2Fork. This is our goal in FEAST - let's work together to overcome corporate and regulatory capture and get these important policies implemented! https://lnkd.in/gwCqn3MX

*Seeds of Sovereignty: Contesting the Politics of Food* A dossier from the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Foundation and Alameda Institute  2024 June by @Benjamin Fogel, @Jan Urhahn, Million Belay, Jennifer Clapp, @Sabrina Fernandes, @Ansar Jasim, Raj Patel, Schluwa Sama, Ranja Sengupta https://lnkd.in/evqearTx The dossier centres on interlinked questions of how to organize, how to support organizing, and how to build alternatives that practically transform food systems. At the core of the dossier lays the argument that this can only be done by shifting our thinking about food crisis from the concept of food security, based on the question of availability of food, which in effect normalizes crisis, to the concept of food sovereignty. According to the international movement La Via Campesina, food sovereignty can be defined “as the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems.” “It puts the aspirations and needs of those who produce, distribute and consume food at the heart of food systems and policies rather than the demands of markets and corporations”. In essence, food sovereignty moves the debate on food from questions of access to questions of power and production that go beyond food per se. This dossier brings together leading experts and thinkers on the food crisis such as Jennifer Clapp and Raj Patel, in dialogue with practitioners and activists like Million Belay of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (@AFSA), which is directly involved in the struggle to create just and sustainable systems of food production and distribution. The dossier presents the food crisis as global in scope. As argued by Sabrina Fernandes, this requires a renewal of internationalism, connecting local efforts to organize for food sovereignty (by, for example, farm worker unions in South Africa) to questions of global strategy. The contributions of Schluwa Sama and Ansar Jasim on the role of empire in Iraq and of Ranja Sengupta on international trade address the latter directly. This dossier thus takes a broad approach that addresses the interconnectedness of current crises. We hope it can contribute to a sustained strategic dialogue around food that supports organizing for alternate futures.

#WorldFoodDay 2024 Theme: “Right to foods, for a better life and a better future. Leave no one behind.”    The right to food is recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as part of the right to an adequate standard of living. The International Convenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) is the international treaty which contains provisions on the right to adequate food, as part of the right to an adequate standard of living, as well as the right to be free from hunger. Parties to the ICESCR have the obligation to respect, protect and fulfil the right to food.  Consequently, State parties have taken measures to enshrine the right to food in their national constitution. The level of constitutional recognition of the right to food varies among countries. According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) database on “The Right to Food around the Globe”, the constitutions of 29 countries provide explicit protection of the right to adequate food or freedom from hunger. However, explicit recognition of the right to food does not necessarily mean that the right to food is fulfilled. The right to food that meets dietary needs and preferences is essential for a healthy, active, decent and dignified life. This fundamental human right is related to food security which is achieved when everyone in a specific context, at all times, has physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe, nutritious and quality food for an active and healthy life. However, the right to food is not limited to access to diverse, safe, nutritious and affordable food for everyone, everywhere. It is also about the way food is produced, stored, transported, distributed, marketed and consumed. Sustainable food systems that address economic, social and environmental challenges can contribute to make the right to food a reality for present and future generations.  Globally, the right to food is jeopardized by armed conflicts, climate change, biodiversity loss and inequalities which are important drivers of hunger and malnutrition. The prevalence of food insecurity in the world calls for a holistic and human rights approach to overcome hunger, promote good health and wellbeing. The right to food is closely linked to other human rights such as the right to water, the right to health and the right to work and fair remuneration. Thus, realization of the right to food depends on fulfilment of other human rights. A rights-based approach applies the following principles: accountability of duty-bearers to right holders; active participation of all stakeholders in policy development; non-discrimination; transparency; empowerment; human dignity; the rule of law. Policies and actions need to create an enabling environment to ensure that everyone can feed oneself in dignity. Human rights must be placed at the heart of food systems transformation to fulfill the right to food, for a better life and a better future, leaving no one behind.

"He says a comprehensive food strategy should look in a holistic way at all aspects of how food shapes our society, including cost, availability, societal health, cultural significance and economic benefits from exporting." Thank you Ian Proudfoot for your continous support for a strategically designed food system and national food strategy. https://lnkd.in/g-s3kHqQ

Ever heard of a food systems approach? It's all about understanding how everything in our food world is connected! From how food is grown, to how it's distributed, eaten, and even wasted, it's all intertwined. The food systems approach involves everyone - farmers, chefs, policymakers, and of course, us as consumers! By looking at the big picture, policymakers can create better policies that cover everything from supporting farmers to promoting healthy eating. This June, #FeedTheChange and #useyourvote for a future of food in the EU that's fair, sustainable, and transparent! 👉 How? 💡 Be informed! Read our new article here https://lnkd.in/d7ePkaps 💻 Stay tuned for more critical analysis 📣 Support our demands ahead of the #EUelections2024 at https://lnkd.in/dsidvA7d

'Policy mapping followed by a theoretically guided evaluation of policy actions. This involved three steps: 1) identification of government departments and agencies that could influence Australia's food system; 2) identification of food policies and policy actions within these departments; and (3) use of a conceptual framework to evaluate policy actions' potential of changing the food system as adjust (first-order change), reform (second-order change) or transform (third-order change). Australia is likely to proceed incrementally towards achieving food system change through adjustments and reforms but lacking transformative impact. To promote transformative change, all three orders of change must be strategically implemented in a coherent and coordinated matter. A comprehensive national food policy and a national coordinating body are needed to ensure a cohesive approach to policy.' https://lnkd.in/gx8TWdK4

"The industrial food system as it stands perpetuates harm to our health, local economies and the environment while upholding chronic hunger in the United States. To break free from this harmful cycle, we must recognize food as a basic human right, embrace the cultural significance it holds, and prioritize sustainability and equity over corporate profits. Universal Basic Food is not just a utopian idea. It’s a tangible solution that empowers communities to transform their food systems, paving the way for a healthier, more just future." By Emily Settlecowski Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ed3uM2sR

The World of Food Today: A Vital Sector in the Global Economy Amid changing global economic dynamics, the world of food is emerging as a vital sector that not only feeds the global population, but also drives economic growth, promotes innovation and plays a critical role in environmental sustainability. Today, more than ever, the food sector stands out as one of the fundamental pillars of modern society, surpassing many other businesses in importance. The Economic Importance of the Food Sector: The food sector is one of the largest employers globally, providing job opportunities to millions of people around the world, from small farmers to employees in the food supply chain, distribution and sales. Furthermore, food trade represents a significant part of international trade, generating income and economic opportunities for countries of all sizes. Innovation in the Food Industry: The food industry is a breeding ground for innovation, with constant advances in technology, production processes and product development. From functional and fortified foods to plant-based alternatives and sustainable production techniques, innovation in the food industry is driving significant changes in the way we produce, distribute and consume food. The Role of Food Security and Sustainability: In an increasingly interconnected world, food security and sustainability are critical concerns affecting all aspects of the food chain. Ensuring access to safe, nutritious and affordable food is essential for the well-being of communities and social stability. Furthermore, adopting sustainable agricultural practices and promoting more fair and equitable food systems are crucial to protecting our environment and ensuring a sustainable food future for generations to come. The Resilience of the Food Sector in Times of Crisis: The world of food has proven to be surprisingly resilient in times of crisis, as evidenced by the sector's ability to adapt and respond to challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite closures and supply chain disruptions, food workers have continued to play a crucial role in providing essential food to the population, once again demonstrating the critical importance of this sector to society. In conclusion, the world of food occupies a prominent place in the global economy and plays a vital role in the lives of people around the world. From its economic impact to its role in innovation and sustainability, the food sector remains a driving force driving progress and prosperity in modern society.

Creating new ways to diversify food protein production can help prevent future food crisis. 💡 Our industry is focused on finding new ways to produce food proteins that can help de-risk our food system by anticipating potential future shocks caused by climate or geopolitical crisis that can impact food production. We are committed to providing fermentation-enabled foods that require little land and water resources, minimise links in the supply chain, provide economic opportunities for farmers and meet the demand of European consumers. But we need to work together to overcome the current obstacles in changing how we produce and consume protein. We're excited to have collaborated on this New Food article discussing the interconnectedness of global food systems and the importance of collaborative, cross-sector solutions to strengthen food resilience. https://lnkd.in/dikAzh3x #Fermentation #ClimateChange #FoodSystems #FoodCrisis