Since 2019, in addition to my emeritus academic role, I have been an elected city councillor and have developed a clearer understanding of how to translate policy into municipal action. I welcome this consultation as it highlights the important role local government can play in enhancing resilient local food systems. Important to this is listening to local people and understanding drivers to behaviour. Food security in all dimensions is critical to allow consideration for the key rate limiting steps that limit food security. Availability is obviously important, but may depend on adequate income, linked to employment. Use of urban spaces, such as allotments ( UK model) can contribute if access is equitable ( refugees etc)and linked to communities so produce is available to all. We have local experience of establishing food co-operatives that support poor families, while also stopping food being wasted. Our group takes food that would otherwise be discarded by big supermarkets and distributes it to families and vulnerable groups including homeless people. While better to grow food locally, can’t ignore role played by big supermarkets that use longer supply chains. Local councils also have a role in regulating the marketing and promotion of unhealthy food. We have also found that to get councils to act, need a nutrition in all policies approach, with responsibility and accountability at leader level and regularly scrutinised by full council. School feeding, incorporating using school space to grow food, is a key part of local food security. Local government can also affect supply through their local procurement policies and insisting on local suppliers thus bringing jobs and shorter supply chains. This keeps the money local.
I would very much echo the comments of Claudio and Florence. It is also important to ensure that any community based approaches also take all forms of malnutrition, and not ignore food systems that are driving obesity. As Corinna Hawkes said at the recent WPHNA congress on World Nutrition in Cape Town, we need to think about diet quality, and not be driven by reductionist science that favours single nutrient interventions using supplementation or fortification without addressing the underlying causes. Key to changing the apporach is building capacity, of all involved.
Prof. Barrie Margetts
Firstly, need clarity as to what is a relevant CSO, who is involved, under what auspices, who funds the organisation, who they represent, leadership structure and how they deal with vested and conflicts of interest.
Secondly, how does the CSO represent its members, how do they ensure the views expressed in consultation with FAO, reflect members views.
Thirdly, funding. How do small community organisations fund their activities. If only bigger, industry funded organisations are represented how does FAO ensure balance and proper community perspective and representation. Industry funding, with conflicts of interest, will likely bias the representation of o unity views to be more sympathetic toward inaction that allows vested interests to dominate. Simply completing COI forms may not be enough to avoid this bias. Ideally, a separate, blind fund should be available to ensure small but representative groups are able to contribute and ensure small holder/community groups are heard and solutions offered reflect their views and the impact policy will have on them.
Fourth, FAO needs to be more open and inclusive. People and small groups need to believe FAO represents and listens to them, and not just to big food/industry dominated organisations. Umbrella organisations like SUN, with conflicted interests and perspectives should not be allowed to dominate the conversation. Difficult, but FAO truly needs to be able to listen to small holder farmers to ensure climate challenges address their concerns and brings them along with actions that protect their livelihoods.
Fifth, national and local representation at meetings.