What is the definition of food sovereignty? How can you become part of a food control organization? Learn more about his important issue in this practical guide.
What does food sovereignty mean? The term food sovereignty may be confused with food justice. Food justice has been defined as a holistic view and structure of a food system that recognizes healthy food as a human right and addresses structural barriers to that right. However, Food sovereignty is defined as people’s right to access healthy and culturally appropriate food produced in environmentally friendly and sustainable ways and the right to define their own food system. While food justice emphasizes the human right to food, food sovereignty encompasses all factors involved in food production, as well as the right to adequate food for each unique person. Another form of food sovereignty is Indigenous food sovereignty, which is a way of addressing the problems that exist in Indigenous communities by giving communities control over their food system so that they can respond to their health needs and choose culturally appropriate foods. Although these definitions differ slightly in meaning, the common theme between food sovereignty and indigenous food sovereignty is that People should have the right and power to get food that is culturally appropriate for their lifestyle.
Principles of Food Governance
Food sovereignty is defined by the following principles, which help to ensure that all living people have the right to culturally appropriate food, to define their food system, and to work in harmony with nature.
1. Food for people.
Human nutrition highlights people’s need for healthy, culturally appropriate food that is the focus of agricultural, livestock and fisheries food policies. This system does not support the business empire that the food industry has built, or the health consequences of this industrial food system.
2. Food Supplier Prices
Acknowledging all food providers, such as women, family farmers, herdsmen, fishermen, forest dwellers, indigenous people, and migrant workers, helps to dismantle commodity interests and rebuild relationships within the food system.
3. Includes Meal Plans
A local food program creates a relationship between local farmers and the customer, which helps the farmer improve security. In addition, this system reduces the number of kilometers the food travels to the consumer, thereby consuming fresh produce.
4. Puts Control In Local Hands
Putting control in the hands of food providers allows for more diversification and control over their land, seeds, and water resources. Without adequate control, farmers are limited in the amount of resources at their disposal that they must use to maintain the health of the environment and the health of people.
5. Builds Knowledge and Skills
Building on knowledge and skills is a principle that encourages agricultural traditions to be passed down from generation to generation. Cultural traditions help establish the concept of thinking about how the outcome of a decision will affect generations later in the future.
6. Works with Nature
Working with nature increases the contribution the ecosystem provides to people, avoids toxic inputs, improves the resilience of the food system, and helps to fight climate change.
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
The article “The Thankful Nation Still Fights for Food Sovereignty” provides an example of food sovereignty by showing the efforts of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to regain control of their food systems. This article shows the pros and cons of food sovereignty. We can see how the nation is working to restore traditional farming methods and focus on sustainable practices that protect the environment. They are able to encourage and teach others about agriculture in the community. For example, a greenhouse is used to grow natural herbs. Things that may conflict with food sovereignty are that they have not regained their ancestral home which limits their access to manage their food sources. Due to the loss of land, they have lost touch with their traditional food and customs which unfortunately leads to the loss of culture.
How to Support Food Sovereignty
In order to support food sovereignty, it is important to be aware of the policies that support this idea. Supporting grassroots food sovereignty organizations is a great way to get personally involved with the organization. Organizations you can support are:
Finally, every food item you buy is a way to vote with your dollar for companies that support food sovereignty. Participating in the food independence movement will help ensure that all people have culturally appropriate food as a human right and are able to make their own decisions about their food system.
References:
NA (2020). The Kingdom of Traditional Food. Indigenous Food Systems Network.
NFFC. (2020). What is Food Royalty? National Family Farm Coalition.
Tala, Alexandra. (2021). A ‘Grateful Nation’ Still Fighting for Food Sovereignty. Civil Eats civileats.com/2020/06/26/the-thanksgiving-tribe-still-fighting-to-eat-kingship/
Big picture: Traditional herbs in Thailand
All photos by Sharon Palmer
For more blogs on sustainable food systems, check out the following:
Growing Food Diversity for a Healthy Planet
Thousands of Benefits of Community Gardens
Three Tips for a Low Carbon Diet
Farmers Market Food Assistance Programs
5 Ways to Get Involved in Your Local Food Program
Sustainable Cooking Tips
What is Regenerative Agriculture?
Volunteer Opportunities to Help Reduce Food Insecurity
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