Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

This member contributed to:

    • Ms. Teresa Maisano

      Civil Society Mechanism (CSM) for relations with the UN Committee on World Food Security CFS
      Italy

      The Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples’ Mechanism (CSIPM) for relations with the United Nations Committee on World Food Security (CFS) is the largest international space of civil society organisations (CSOs) working to eradicate food insecurity and malnutrition. All participating organizations in the CSIPM belong to one of the following 11 constituencies: smallholder farmers, pastoralists, fisherfolk, Indigenous Peoples, agricultural and food workers, landless, women, youth, consumers, urban food insecure and NGOs. This collective written contribution has been prepared by participants from the CSIPM Urban and Peri-Urban Working Group which was constituted in January 2024 to follow this CFS workstream.

      GENERAL COMMENTS ON THE V0 DRAFT OF THE HLPE-FSN REPORT

      The Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples' Mechanism (CSIPM) welcomes the V0 Draft of the HLPE-FSN report on "Strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems to achieve food security and nutrition in the context of urbanisation and rural transformation". The CFS had a policy workstream on Urbanization and Rural Transformation and Implications for Food Security and Nutrition but despite many efforts and resources dedicated to this workstream, and although there was a consultation process, it did not result in a final negotiated policy document. For this reason, the CSIPM welcomes an HLPE report on this topic and sees the opportunity to raise awareness of the priorities of the most affected constituencies in urban and peri-urban contexts through this work stream.

       This six-chapter report provides a definition of urban and peri-urban food systems in the first chapter, followed by a historical perspective on the process of urbanization, the current context of urban growth and the number of people living in urban areas in food insecurity. The third chapter examines the nutritional transition and food security, and how the human right to food can be guaranteed. The fourth chapter analyses urban and peri-urban food systems, addressing the different processes, actors, and how people access food, such as through reliance on supermarkets and the proliferation of convenience stores. The fifth chapter discusses urban food governance, laws, an urban food policy, the different regional actors, and how participation in urban policy takes place. Chapter six discusses policy partnerships, and the different actors involved in these responses, as well as international issues and the international market.

      The CSIPM recognises that one of the important aspects of the HLPE-FSN report is that it builds its conceptualisation on the six dimensions of food security: availability, access, utilisation, stability, agency and sustainability.

      Furthermore, we also find it positive how the report differentiates between the urban and peri-urban concept for the global north and the global south to recognise the different ways in which poverty, migration and internal inequalities have increased in each country. We also welcome the fact that the report talks about malnutrition, given the impact of the penetration of ultra-processed products in urban and peri-urban contexts.

      However, we also see some weaknesses and spaces for improvement, such as the fact that the report does not look at the human right to food and the different dimensions of human rights in a holistic way. The report should elaborate more on the indivisibility and interconnection between the right to and the right to the city, or to housing, or the right to work and social protection, or the right to a healthy, clean, safe and sustainable environment. There is a very limited section on addressing gender or inequalities that could be expanded, and which could benefit from previous CFS policy outcomes as a reference, especially the “Voluntary Guidelines on Gender Equality and Women’s and Girls Empowerment in the Context of Food Security and Nutrition”. The report should also focus more on youth as agents of transformation in urban and peri-urban food systems. Young people are vital to achieving economies of wellbeing defined by food sovereignty, dignified livelihoods, and healthy environments in rural and urban areas. Food systems transformations are urgently needed to ensure that youth can live well in the countryside and cities, restore ecological harmony, and receive fair remuneration for their work in food systems. Young people are often forced to migrate to cities because life in rural areas is made impossible by structural constraints. Systemic shifts in food systems should centre the core principles of rights, equity, agency, and recognition of the role of youth as collective and individual protagonists of social change.

      The report could also benefit from an additional section in chapter 4 looking at existing alternatives to supermarkets and convenience stores, such as territorial markets, community supported agriculture, food buying groups and cooperatives. There must also be an examination of the proliferation of charitable food aid provision in a variety of settings from food banks to schools and religious spaces.

      While urban and peri-urban agriculture is addressed, the report does not consider agroecology as a transformative approach for urban and peri urban systems. Among the CFS documents we have a basis for moving forward on urban and peri-urban agriculture based on agroecology and the report should refer to the FAO 10 principles of Agroecology and the CFS Policy Recommendations. There is also an increasing body of research on Urban Agroecology and recognition of its practices and values, that address power and injustice, provide social and wellbeing benefits beyond the production of food and embraces a variety of holistic low impact, low input sustainable food production methods. Some references are provided below.

      Moreover, there is no systemic and connected vision between political systems and public procurement services, for example with regard to procurement programmes, there is nothing about a public procurement network. With regard to governance, the report does not touch on urban planning and management instruments, it only calls on social participation councils, but not with the objective to put the food perspective as transversal in the design of urban planning instruments, such as the budget, the urban infrastructure and the different existing public services.

      For the CSIPM, social participation is key to create urban and peri-urban food systems that can impact malnutrition and food insecurity. The most affected people and constituencies -such as gypsy, Roma and traveller communities, youth, refugees, migrants, pastoralists, peasants, homeless people, low income groups, including women, racialised people and ethnic groups, persons with disabilities, older people and children among others living in urban and peri- urban areas- should be included in policy making spaces through transparent, democratic and effective processes that respect the autonomy and self-organizations of social movements, feminist movements and civic movements. For example, there is an absence of the workers' perspective, and the perspective of the social and solidarity economy and social protection that consider the conditions for providing quality of life.

      ASSUMPTIONS THAT SHOULD BE CHALLENGED (SHIFTING THE PARADIGM)

      • The urbanization paradigm, and modernization itself, that requires living in cities away from rural areas. It is well documented that urbanisation often leads to the very problems it is aiming to solve: poor housing, overcrowding, unemployment, poverty and destitution, food insecurity, health disparities, traffic congestion, pollution, lack of proper infrastructure such as a good food environment, schools, transport, water, energy and sewage.
      • Many developed countries still retain a very significant proportion of their total population in rural areas. For instance, countries like Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Ireland and Thailand, among many others, have rural populations of above 40% - close to 50% in some cases. These are indeed real-life examples of countries where the trend does not align with the paradigm, but these examples are often ignored. In China, the successful rural regeneration programme includes many young people and has a strong dimension of Community Supported Agriculture with a key focus on territorial markets.
      • Strengthening territorial markets is key, as rather than focusing on international trade which can have negative consequences and impacts in food security in rural and urban areas and should be further explored.
      • Cities are expanding through urban sprawl. Within and around cities, there were fertile areas for agriculture that now have been converted to built up areas in an alarming manner. It is essential to maintain peri-urban agriculture (using the VGGT where possible), in order to ensure access to fresh nutritious produce for local populations. Furthermore, the rural-urban linkages are critical.
      • The report should take the fact that the urban context is not homogenous and has interconnected institutions or networks made up of different actors who should be taken into consideration. Food security and food sovereignty initiatives, as well as governance and food policy to promote access to food, should pay attention to the different needs, priorities and preferences of the various groups that make up the cities. The urban context includes refugees, immigrants, and different socio-economic classes.

      WHAT IS MISSING OR COULD BE STRENGTHENED

      • Private sector engagement has led to increased production and availability of ultra-processed foods becoming widely available in the urban areas and also widely distributed through food banks. The report should answer the question of how to promote localized food systems and territorial markets in urban contexts to ensure access to affordable, healthy and culturally acceptable diets to consumers. The connection between access to ultra-processed foods and health should be further explored given the rise in consumption of processed foods. On the issue of communal norms and cultural food practices, the report should examine how these influence consumption patterns in urban areas.
      • In Pakistan 65% of population is composed of youth, how can we involve them in this process? Youth make up a large segment of the urban population and rural-urban exodus is on the rise. The potential of youth as actors in the food system in urban areas is crucial and could be further explored. Understanding the context is key, as this baseline study in Uganda shows.
      • Two elements not well addressed in the report are: social function of public procurement services and food provision. This dimension is often absent from analyses but needs to be considered as essential to ensuring food security and food sovereignty. This has been a key focus in Europe in recent years. The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) together with partners such as Slow Food and Urgenci has worked extensively on this question. As the Manifesto for establishing minimum standards for public canteens across the EU. This was also a key part of the work of the European Food Policy Coalition. An excellent example of school organic public procurement using municipal land is the project Une cantine 100 % bio sans surcoût.
      • During the pandemic, we saw how the public supply network and public markets were important to ensure access to adequate food. It is necessary to support the creation of pacts also between municipalities, as they can create pacts and agreements at the national and local level. For example, in Brazil the creation of the national strategy for food security and urban context which intends to create local policies between different actors.
      • The draft is well developed and presents an elaborated description of food security issues in urban and peri-urban areas. However, the concepts of gender and inequality are largely missing from the analysis. Although the report mentions gender briefly as a cross-cutting issue, the report could benefit greatly by developing an inequality framework or proposal on how to address gender, racial, social and economic inequalities when talking about food security in urban and peri-urban areas. An intersectional feminist framework would promote   an understanding of the reasons behind disparities and inequalities in the access and distribution of food, as well as social impacts of these inequalities. See HLPE 18 on Reducing Inequalities for Food Security and Nutrition.
      • Urban areas comprise a large population living in poverty and its impacts affect food security of families and communities, especially women and girls and underserved communities. Moreover, existing literature largely documents that women within families tend to experience more food insecurity, especially during shocks. Therefore, the report should take this into consideration.There is a component of analysis that relates to agency (empowerment), but it is not extensive.
      • Furthermore, the mention of women and gender in the report appears in relation to the children and their role as mothers in addressing the challenges of the children's food insecurity. The report does not offer a critical reflection on the roles of other actors in the nutrition of children, the positive contribution and value of women in the preparation of food and the time dedicated to feed the family.
      • The report should also include a greater focus on widespread practices that contributed significantly to ensuring food security and food sovereignty during the pandemic and the post-pandemic period. Some of these experiences are synthesized in the CSIPM report Voices from the ground: From COVID-19 to radical transformation of our food systems (2020). As well as Enacting Resilience: the Response of LSPA to the Covid-19 Crisis (2021), a significant report published by Urgenci that underlines the importance and relevance of peri-urban agriculture in feeding urban populations. What is clear in both these reports is the birth of spontaneous solidarity-based, bottom-up citizens’ initiatives that made key contributions to ensuring access and the Right to Food and Nutrition.
      • There is no real exploration of land use, including access to land and tenureship for urban and peri urban food producers, regeneration and its impacts.
      • There is no understanding of urban and peri urban food systems, and particularly food production in the planning and emergency resilience of cities. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic there was a lack of preparedness or planning for shocks in the food system for many cities with a reliance on the market to ensure food availability.
      • For the CSIPM there is still more work to do regarding governance. For example, how municipalities can preserve and build more physical and social infrastructure in areas of deprivation. As well as better engagement with marginalised groups who do not participate in the mainstream food system. There  could be more from a legal point of view on how municipalities can create agreements and laws to improve infrastructure and supply.  Some key examples of how this can be done are: https://securite-sociale-alimentation.org/  Other examples exist in Brazil and other countries.
      • It would also be important for the report to include an analysis on loss and waste of food in markets and supermarkets, problems are linked to the just in time system, transport, storage, and the confusing labelling systems of best before, and use by dates that mean that edible food is disposed of before its expiry date. Large quantities of food are also disposed of at source to control prices, such as milk; or to meet supermarket cosmetic standards, or in the home. The report could also provide recommendations on mechanisms that provide better information through scientific recommendations, and that can be useful for many populations, in order to reduce food waste. Studies have demonstrated the fact that food loss and waste are significantly lower in direct consumer food systems such as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), as the one on Food loss and waste in community-supported agriculture in the region of Leipzig, Germany.  There are various explanations for this, especially the extensive use of agroecology in CSA, the proximity of CSA to consumers (both physical and psychological), the fact that consumers always accept all fruit and vegetables, irrespective of size or shape, so no grading and rejection processes exist.
      • Food sovereignty is a concept that does not appear in the report, but it is very important if we take into account the territorial or local perspectives and the agency aspect of food security. We must underline the importance of consumers, who must recognise themselves in the food they eat.
      • The report could also include recommendations with regard to the role of public authorities, for example from the ministries of health and agriculture as well as recommendations on local agroecological/organic production for territorial public procurement
      • Access to and the protection of land; and the succession of existing farms for new forms of collectives and cooperatives, such as community farms in urban and peri-urban areas should be prioritized .
      • It would also be important to include in the report an analysis on oligopolies in terms of agriculture, as we see the same in terms of retail globally. Also public goods and wholesale markets.
      • The report needs to be clear regarding where agricultural food production places in urban and peri-urban contexts, such as the promotion of community gardens, allotment backyard gardens using limited space, technologies such as vertical farming, hydroponics, rooftop farming, among others.
      • Also, it should address how the deficit in local production and reliance on importation have an impact on urban and peri-urban food systems.
      • Community Land Trusts and their equivalents need to be recognised by the report as a means of preserving urban and peri-urban agriculture. This form of preservation is very common in New York and increasingly in the United Kingdom, and is recognised in UN Habitat 2. It is a key form of solidarity economy regarding land usage, and is linked to Local Government legislation.
      • We consider it important to emphasize the fact that certain food consumption and production networks that are below the radar have not been taken into account in the report. There should be an extensive look at existing alternatives to long food chains, including Community Supported Agriculture, producers’ and consumers collectives and cooperative shops, small-scale producers collectives of various kinds, and distributive platforms like the Open Food Network, on-line collective producers’ sales (including criteria such as agroecology/organic production). As well as informal trading networks such as the suitcase trade, often black market, between global south and global north in culturally acceptable food products
      • Food Policy Councils are key to developing successfully sustainable urban and peri-urban agriculture and there needs to be an extensive section developed on this subject.
      • It would be important to explore the food, climate and humanitarian nexus in the urban context. How cities are prepared to respond to shocks and humanitarian emergencies, and build long-term resilience in a climate crisis context. Examples are initiatives on early warning systems in Nairobi, Kenya and a similar project in Philippines-B-Ready project.   

      We need to emphasize the alternatives that do exist are in many cases deeply anchored, and whose resilience during the pandemic was shown to be invaluable, such as in Brazil, where small scale food producers gave food to people free of charge. As documented in the CSIPM report (2022) Voices from the ground 2: transformative solutions to the global systemic food crises.

      • The French and Belgian experimental food social security trials which are currently underway with the basis of food as a human right and as social protection. There is a reference to the French trials in the report to UCLG, which is possibly the first time that a Local Government network has been referenced in the CFS work.
      • Rural regeneration policy in China, where CSA plays a considerable role should also be referenced. The interesting aspect in China is that there is far less of an issue of access to land, due to the fact that all rural families have a land allocation
      • Food policy councils, and the very interesting work being done now in New York City, Toronto, London and other cities should be highlighted. See Milan Urban Food Policy Pact website for examples

      OTHER REFERENCES WHICH COULD BE CONSIDERED

      URBAN AGROECOLOGY REFERENCES

      • Urban Agroecology: Principles and Potential https://edepot.wur.nl/448775
      • Pengue WA (2022) Local Food Systems: Making Visible the Invisible Through Urban Agroecology. Front. Sustain. Cities 4:867691. doi:10.3389/frsc.2022.867691
      • Urbanising in Place Project: Building the Food, Water, Energy Nexus From Below.  http://urbanisinginplace.org/.                      
      • Sustainable Urbanisation Global Initiative (SUGI)/Food-Water-Energy Nexus  https://jpi-urbaneurope.eu/calls/sugi/
      • Resourcing an Agroecological Urbanism: Political,Transformational and Territorial Dimensions. Edited By Chiara Tornaghi, Michiel Dehaene

    • Ms. Teresa Maisano

      Civil Society Mechanism (CSM) for relations with the UN Committee on World Food Security CFS
      Italy

      On behalf of CSM





      Proponent

      Fred Wesonga, Haileselassie Gheberemariam



      Main responsible entity

      Terra Nuova, East Africa



      Date/Timeframe 

      Survey conducted 10th - 20th March, 2016



      Funding source

      Terra Nuova, through EU-funded Development Education “Hands on the Land” project



      Location

      SOMALIA: Wajaale and Hargeisa - key marketing and production centres in Somaliland



      Background/Context

      The Somaliland dairy industry is plagued by a variety of problems such as: lack of commercial dairy farms, low productivity due to poor nutrition, weak infrastructure, lack of financial facilities, and the ready availability of raw milk to a poor and uneducated population. In urban areas, milk is available to consumers in two forms, either as loose/unprocessed milk or as packed/processed milk. Although, there is no reliable data on the proportion of household incomes spent on milk in Somaliland, milk is on average consumed twice a day and provides about 60% of the caloric intake for both rural and urban populations. Milk is highly valued in the Somali food tradition and is an integral part of the pastoral staple food.

      Hargeisa is the main centre for milk trade in Somaliland. The bulk of the fresh raw milk consumed in Hargeisa originates from the agro-pastoral areas of the country. In Somaliland, milk is mainly produced in a traditional system based on nomadic or semi-nomadic low producing indigenous breeds of camels, zebu cattle and goats. The primary objective of the study was to explore opportunities and challenges that exist along the major urban (Hargeisa and Wajaale) milk value chains. The study was designed to provide information to understand how actors along the milk chain are interlinked to facilitate the conveyance of milk from the remote nomadic or semi-nomadic production areas to the consumers. The study also explored if social practices and traditions play a role in the sustenance of the milk marketing system particularly during production shock periods such as dry seasons or droughts.



      Focus/Objectives

      The broad objective of the study was to determine the role of the informal sector in the marketing of milk produced in a pastoral/ urban interphase.



      Key characteristics of the experience/process

      • Milk marketing in Somaliland is characterised by a unique efficient system that contributes to food security in a pastoral milk production environment.

      • The players along the milking chain have developed a system that ensures members have access to milk during periods when there are fluctuations in milk supply.

      • Trading along the milk chain in Somaliland largely operates on shared culture, values, and trust.



      Key actors involved and their role

      Milk marketing in Hargeisa urban and peri-urban areas is largely a woman’s domain, while transportation of the milk is male-dominated. The milk chain consists of primary rural producers, primary collectors, transporters, primary and secondary retailers. Women are key both as primary and secondary retailers and in milk production with regard to the management of small ruminants (goats), while men are central in milk collection and transportation to the markets.



      Key changes observed with regards to food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture and food systems

      The milk marketing system in Somaliland is efficient and sustainable. Trading along the milk chain in Somaliland largely operates on shared culture, values, and trust. This is highlighted by a unique system (known as “Hagbed”) that is in operation in Somaliland whereby producers organize themselves in groups of 10-15 with the objective of minimizing operational costs. Members of the group contribute towards the daily milk requirements of their customers. The milk is then sold to customers on behalf of one of the producers in the group at a time. The selected producer retains the money. Then s/he contributes milk to another producer in the group the following day. This is repeated until all members of the group have had a chance to sell milk. The system benefits the consumers in ensuring a relatively regular supply of milk. This indigenous system also ensures that all actors have equal opportunities of accessing customers and guaranteeing income. This “informal” marketing system plays an important role in food security and should therefore be supported by appropriate policies. This can be achieved through lobbying for policies and services that recognize and favour this kind of “invisible” trade.

      Another important aspect of the Somaliland milk trade is a service offered by cooperatives to ensure members have access to milk during periods when there are fluctuations in supply. For instance, if a milk trader fails to get milk from her /his regular suppliers, the trader can obtain milk from other cooperative members for sale to her/his customers. This system is important in creating strong social and economic bonds among members and in sustaining supply along the milk chain.

      It is also important to note that there are no major multinational companies operating in the country. These companies are known to have a monopolistic approach that interferes with indigenous marketing systems. The unique attributes of the Somaliland marketing system would be ignored if multinational companies were operating in the country and it can be argued it could contribute to food insecurity and the marginalization of women who are the backbone of the milk supply chain.

      There is rapid increase in the urban population of the country, mainly attributed to rural urban migration. Increasing and un-met demand for fresh/raw milk particularly in the rapidly growing urban centres is reported to be increasing the demand for packaged/processed milk particularly among the middle class. Although the changing pattern in milk consumption in urban areas has so far not had significant impact on the consumption of raw milk, the changing rural–urban population dynamics is likely to influence milk consumption patterns in the long run. This is an aspect that cannot be ignored when formulating milk trade regulation policies in the country.



      Challenges faced

      The challenges include poor milk hygiene, under-developed transportation infrastructure, inadequate credit facilities, lack of cooling facilities along the milk chain, poor market infrastructure and nascent milk trade regulation policies.



      Lessons/Key messages

      In spite of absence of a strong lobby movement on consumption of locally produced products, the community using the platform of a growing co-operative movement is able to sensitize the population on the benefits of consuming raw milk, especially the economic benefits which trickle down to household level. Milk marketing in Somaliland plays an important role in food security and provision of balanced and nutritious food. Investing in milk production and trade will therefore improve food provision, social and environmental sustainability and safeguard livelihoods for the majority of the population, as livestock is the country’s main source of livelihood.

    • Ms. Teresa Maisano

      Civil Society Mechanism (CSM) for relations with the UN Committee on World Food Security CFS
      Italy

      On behalf of CSM

       

      Proponente

      CHIRAPAQ Centro de Culturas Indígenas del Perú



      Principal entidad responsable

      CHIRAPAQ Centro de Culturas Indígenas del Perú



      Fecha/periodo

      El proceso abarca los 1999 -2017, dentro del cual hay diferentes etapas.



      Fuente de financiación

      Pan para elmundo



      Lugar

      Perú, departamento de Ayacucho, periferia urbana de la ciudad de Huamanga y comunidades de la cuenca del río Pomatambo, en especial del distrito de Vilcashuamán.



      Antecedentes/Contexto

      La propuesta de alimentación basada en productos indígenas se inició hacia 1986 en la ciudad de Huamanga, Ayacucho, durante el conflicto armado interno que atravesó el Perú entre 1980 y el año 2000.



      Las comunidades indígenas estaban siendo desplazadas hacia las periferias de las ciudades tanto en Huamanga en los Andes como en la ciudad de Lima, capital del Perú, ubicada en la zona costera. Al desarraigo, se unía la pobreza, discriminación y desnutrición, siendo los principales afectados la niñez y adultos mayores, quedando la responsabilidad de la sostenibilidad de los hogares en las mujeres indígenas.



      En este panorama, CHIRAPAQ inicia su propuesta de alimentación, basado en productos nativos de probada calidad alimenticia, pero socialmente despreciados por ser “comida de indios”. Los resultados inmediatos, fueron motivo de reconocimiento y estudio por parte de diferentes entidades quienes vieron una sostenida recuperación anímica y física entre la niñez y población adulto-mayor indígena. Esta iniciativa se diversificó en diferentes programas de educación alimenticia para aprovechar la producción local originaria.



      En 1999 se inicia una segunda etapa basada en la producción agrícola a partir de conocimientos indígenas sobre tecnologías agrícolas, biodiversidad, abonos orgánicos y recuperación de la flora y fauna local. Es esta segunda etapa la que se encuentra en proceso dentro de una perspectiva de soberanía alimentaria en contextos de cambio climático con cultivo de plantas resistentes a los extremos climáticos.



      Enfoque/Objetivos

      El enfoque es el del derecho a la alimentación con identidad, con reconocimiento de los derechos territoriales y la visibilización del aporte cultural, económico y social de las mujeres indígenas para su empoderamiento económico e incidencia en diferentes espacios de decisión.



      Entre los objetivos de la presente propuesta de soberanía alimentaria tenemos:

      1. Recuperación de la diversidad de semillas y sus variedades.

      2. Recuperación, registro y utilización de los conocimientos indígenas, en cuanto a tecnologías agrícolas, para una producción orgánica.

      3. Fortalecimiento de la producción agrícola familiar-comunal.

      4. Mejoramiento del uso de suelos de acuerdo a las tecnologías ancestrales indígenas.

      5. Recuperación de la flora y fauna nativas.

      6. Visibilizar, fortalecer y valorar el aporte de las mujeres indígenas en cuanto a los conocimientos agrícolas, desarrollo de actividades productivas complementarias etc.



      Características principales de la experiencia/proceso

      1. Se parte de los conocimientos y experiencias de las comunidades, este conocimiento muchas veces se encuentra fragmentado, la labor consiste en recuperarlo desde las diferentes localidades y articularlo como un conocimiento común.

      2. La relación es horizontal, pues no se trata de “enseñar” sino de avanzar juntos.

      3. Se afirma la “complementariedad” es decir, el intercambio entre diferentes zonas, obteniendo de unas lo que falta en otras y viceversa.

      4. No se busca la autarquía, sino la autonomía, es decir la capacidad de desarrollar las propias capacidades y hacer la propuesta sostenible.

      5. Se busca preservar el mayor número de tierras frente al avance de las industrias extractivas, en especial la minería, la agroindustria y la sobreexplotación sin rotación en el uso de las tierras debido a la demanda de productos nativos por mercados externos.

      6. Revaloración de los productos indígenas, como alimentos altamente nutritivos y con capacidad de revertir la desnutrición.

      7. Ver el medio geográfico como una unidad, en donde cada elemento forma parte de un todo y en ese sentido, se hace necesario recuperar las “geografías indígenas” o el medio natural con la flora y fauna originaria.

      8. Incorporación de nuevas tecnologías que potencien los conocimientos tradicionales pero que no los desvirtúen.

      9. Enfocar la experiencia como un proceso continuo, de mejora e investigación permanente, de ahí que el impacto del cambio climático en la modificación de las estaciones sirve de escenario para identificar y experimentar con variedades de plantas que se adapten mejor a las cambiantes situaciones climáticas.



      En cuanto al proceso, no ha sido continuo y la demanda del marcado empuja a la disponibilidad inmediata de productos para la venta que no permite una mayor aplicación de la producción orgánica que demanda mayor tiempo, mayor dedicación y no existe una cultura alimenticia que valore la producción saludable, solo la disponibilidad inmediata de alimentos, su rápida circulación y su mayor rentabilidad.



      Actores clave involucrados y su función

      Las comunidades, como espacio de conocimiento y producción.



      Las mujeres indígenas, como organizadoras de la economía familiar y depositarias del conocimiento en cuando a diversidad y selección de semillas.



      Los Yachaq (denominación quechua para los especialistas o sabios en algún conocimiento, conocimientos y manejo de tecnologías), quienes se encargan de guiar y capacitar a los miembros de la comunidad en la construcción de canales de regadío, construcción de terrazas, preparación de abonos, elaboración de insecticidas naturales, etcétera.



      Autoridades, con quienes se viene incidiendo para que puedan apoyar iniciativas de transformación de alimentos por parte de las mujeres indígenas, construcción de invernaderos y fitotoldos, su participación, si bien importante aún no se traduce en apoyo concreto.



      Principales cambios observados que suponen una mejora de la seguridad alimentaria y la nutrición

      1. Mayor rendimiento de las tierras de cultivo, con mayor capacidad de almacenar y transformar alimentos.

      2. Incremento de cultivos asociados, como es el caso del maíz con los frejoles.

      3. Mayor diversificación en la disponibilidad de alimentos mediante el complemento de la producción agrícola con la de huertos familiares.

      4. Incorporación de más practicas alimentarias, mediante educación alimentaria para dosificar adecuadamente los alimentos de acuerdo a edad.

      5. Mejoramiento en talla y peso de niños y niñas indígenas. No se ha podido verificar si esto se ha traducido en mejor rendimiento escolar.

      6. Identificación de variedades de plantas denominados “alimentos del futuro” por su capacidad de adaptarse al cambio climático y su menor demanda de agua para su cultivo.



      Desafíos a los que hubo que enfrentarse y cómo se superaron

      Los desafíos son constantes y permanentes. Al ser una propuesta que involucra a contadas comunidades y no un programa completo que articule regiones o cuencas hidrográficas, la necesidad de dinero para la compra de productos, empuja al uso frecuente de abonos químicos.



      Esta situación se viene afrontando mediante el valor que se da en las ferias nacionales de productos alimenticios, en donde se ha podido comprobar la mayor demanda de productos orgánicos y libres de agroquímicos. Sin embargo estos mercados y ferias no se dan de manera constante y no son una alternativa constante para los productores indígenas.



      Otro desafío constante es el del racismo y la discriminación, que trata a los productos y sistemas de vida y producción indígenas como inferiores y de menor valía. En el caso de los alimentos, los productos industriales gozan de mayor prestigio, y se ha comprobado diversos casos en donde se destina la producción orgánica para la venta y la utilización del dinero para adquirir alimentos industriales.



      En este sentido, un desafío importante es construir o contar con un mercado interno para los productos indígenas y la incorporación de estos alimentos dentro de las políticas de apoyo alimentario que se da desde el Estado a los centros educativos y programas sociales.



      Otro desafío es la presión para una mayor producción de alimentos debido al rápido y sostenido crecimiento urbano, el área de la Costa del Perú viene perdiendo sus campos de cultivo y la presión es sobre las áreas de la sierra y selva, que también vienen experimentando un crecimiento urbanístico pero con mayores tierras para el cultivo, cuya producción se está orientando ya sea para el mercado exterior o para la demanda de alimentos desde los gustos y perspectiva urbana, perdiéndose en este proceso diversos productos originarios altamente nutritivos.



      Enseñanzas/mensajes clave

      1. Los conocimientos y productos existen, solo se requiere de políticas de apoyo y de priorización de la producción local-familiar y comunal.

      2. La biodiversidad es el mejor laboratorio para dar respuesta a los desafíos del cambio climático.

      3. Se requiere de transformar los productos indígenas a gran escala de acuerdo a las prácticas tradicionales indígenas.

    • Ms. Teresa Maisano

      Civil Society Mechanism (CSM) for relations with the UN Committee on World Food Security CFS
      Italy

      On behalf of CSM





      Proponent

      The Cumberland County Food Security Council is currently conducting research to identify where and how “local food” is getting into the hands of food insecure people in Cumberland County. We are calling this research “ Closing the Hunger Gap with Local Food. ”



      The primary purpose of this research is to collect data on the various food access programs currently utilizing “local food” in efforts to reduce food insecurity for persons experiencing hunger in Cumberland County.



      For our research purposes, we have generally defined “local food” as Maine-grown food.

      Our Hypotheses:

      1. “Local food” in access programs can increase food security for hungry people in Cumberland County while also contributing to creating a more robust and resilient food system in our County and in Maine.

      2. Agriculture and Gardening programs provide food insecure people with opportunities to learn and grow food for themselves and their families. We believe putting the means of food production into the hands of food insecure people is the most effective strategy for eliminating food insecurity. This can happen on a scale ranging from mid-size farming to backyard gardening.

      3. Consumer incentive programs support people experiencing low income in Cumberland County accessing healthy and fresh “local food” that otherwise would be restricted to those with higher income.



      Main responsible entity

      The Cumberland County Food Security Council's mission is to advocate, educate and take action toward increasing food access for food-insecure people in Cumberland County. We do this by working together to initiate, strategize, and innovate solutions to our community's hunger problem.



      The Food Security Council itself is made up of engaged citizens, community leaders, and representatives from local organizations that are leading the efforts to build food security in Cumberland County and across Maine.



      Our efforts focus on educating our community about why our neighbors are food insecure and what can be done to create greater food security in Cumberland County.



      We advocate for policy changes and decision-making that support systemic change and ground level action relevant to alleviating hunger.



      We believe that we can accomplish more together and that collaborative advocacy and collective action can result in a hunger-free Maine.



      Date/Timeframe

      From January - June 2017 we will gather the data to establish baselines of where local food is already helping to close the hunger gap in Cumberland County.



      Funding source

      USDA Community Food Project Grant and Local Private Foundations



      Location

      The scope of our research is Cumberland County and the Council itself is based out of Portland, Maine.



      Background/Context

      Many Maine households are having a difficult time putting food on their tables. People are not deprived of food because food is unavailable in the market, but rather because the ability to get that food is restricted, most often by limited income.



      The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) defines food security as “access, at all times, to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members.” Current research ranks Maine third in the nation for people experiencing very low food security.



      “Very low food insecurity” is when eating patterns of one or more household members are disrupted and food intake is reduced because the household lacks sufficient income and other resources necessary to acquire food.



      Approximately 14.2% Cumberland County’s residents are food insecure.



      Fresh, nutritious, local food is not just for the affluent. If you work each day to create a community where no one goes hungry, local food must be a tool.



      Local food supports nutritious diets, stimulates regional economies, sustains healthy environments and creates strong social connections.



      As a result of this research, we hope to illuminate the various ways local food is and can further be used as a tool to reduce hunger in Cumberland County, Maine.



      Focus/Objectives

      CCFSC’s strategic framework for this research prioritizes activities according to their effectiveness in improving access to local food for people vulnerable to food insecurity.



      Results we intend to achieve and measure in order of priority:

      1. Farming and Gardening Programs: Food Insecure People Producing Food; Increase the number of limited resource farmers and gardeners, the quantities of food these growers produce for their families and distribute to people vulnerable to food insecurity and the amount of income these producers are able to generate through selling food.

      2. Farm Direct to Food Insecure Consumer; Increase the numbers of farmers markets that accept and process SNAP EBT payments. Increase consumer use of SNAP to purchase local food at farmers markets and other local produce sellers. Increase direct access to local food by seniors through farm shares and meal programs. Increase farmer awareness and participation in local food access and incentive programs.

      3. Farm to Institutions Serving Low Income People; Increase the amount of local food purchased by schools, meals programs and hospitals.



      Key characteristics of the experience/process

      We recognize that many of the ways that individuals and organizations try to take care of people by supporting food access is not truly solving the underlying systemic problem that perpetuates the existence of food insecurity. In order to effectively solve the problem, people must have access to the resources necessary to solve the problem themselves. There are systemic interventions that can point to more holistic solutions, e.g. local food procurement at institutions, consumer incentive programs, local whole foods replacing processed foods in banks and pantries, and more.



      Key actors involved and their role

      Jim Hanna, Executive Director, CCFSC

      Ali Mediate, Research Assistant, CCFSC



      Key changes observed with regards to food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture and food systems

      Thus far in our research, it is clear that local food has already played a role in closing the hunger gap in Cumberland County. However, the numbers are small in comparison to the scope of food insecurity in our communities. With this research, we hope to illuminate ways to measure and further guide collective progress toward connecting food insecure individuals with healthy and nutritious local food in our communities.



      We are currently establishing baselines based on the assumption that there is more local food available to support hunger alleviation in Cumberland County.



      Challenges faced

      Farmers are aging. Farmland is available. People either don’t want to farm or don’t have the resources to farm in a financially feasible way. Urban land is contaminated. There are not enough urban community garden plots.



      Lessons/Key messages

      Collaborative and strategic efforts can increase and broaden positive impact in hunger relief while empowering people as producers and strengthening our local food system.

    • Ms. Teresa Maisano

      Civil Society Mechanism (CSM) for relations with the UN Committee on World Food Security CFS
      Italy

      On behalf of CSM

       

      Proponent

      Valerie Dantoin – faculty, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College



      Main responsible entity

      Wisconsin State Technical College System – Northeast Wis. Technical College



      Date/Timeframe

      2008-2017 and beyond



      Funding source

      Wisconsin Tech College System



      Location

      Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA. A regional-center city of about 100,000 people with a strong interface between its rural (mostly dairy farm) area and its urban (not very wealthy) working-class citizens.



      Background/Context

      In 2008 a federal grant was received to create a Sustainable Agriculture credential (a certificate) at our regional college. A process was developed to a) interview the emerging Sustainable Agriculture & Food System “industry” members, b) outline and develop College courses, c) recruit students and begin teaching courses. This occurred from 2009 – 2012. In 2013 a two-year Associate Degree in Sustainable Agriculture grew out of the original certificate, due to its popularity. The intent of the program is to create more small scale farmers.



      Local food and agriculture system members recognized that it is irresponsible and impractical to graduate new farmers and “release them into the wild” without collaborative efforts to support crop prices and the sustainability of their new businesses. For that reason, we chose to form the SLO (Sustainable, Local, Organic) Farmers Cooperative. The Cooperative is an attempt to work together, rather than compete, for the customers in our region. Without Cooperation, we will do what farmers (especially the inexperienced) have always done; we will compete on price until we drive each other out of business. We then abandon the growing local food movement in our working class region to only a few strong players or to national scale businesses. This is a new model for not only getting new farmers started, but also supporting their success.



      Focus/Objectives

      Objective 1) Create an Associate Degree in Sustainable Farming & Food Systems that is accessible and affordable. (about 20 students have enrolled in each of the first four years)

      2) Graduate 15 people each year to work in the regional food system. About ¼ will create their own small farms. Help them network and grow.

      3) Support students beyond the classroom by creating internships and apprenticeships where they can learn to grow food while working with an experienced local farmer.

      4) Properly introduce new farmers into the local food eco-system so that they do not disrupt the current small scale farmers currently in the marketplace.



      Key characteristics of the experience/process

      Accredited adult education and use of the Cooperative model are keys to the process.



      Key actors involved and their role

      Valerie Dantoin – Curriculum developer, Lead Instructor

      Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Leadership Team – Amy Kox, Associate Dean

      SLO Farmers Cooperative

      Wisconsin Farmers Union Cooperative



      Key changes observed with regards to food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture and food systems

      We grow the capacity of local farmers to successfully supply our region with high quality, sustainable food. SLO food is become more widely available at prices that are fair to both producers and consumers.



      Challenges faced

      The biggest challenge is funding to operate the SLO Farmers Cooperative until sales volume is large enough to make it self-sustaining. The Co-op is run by individual farmers and does not have a supporting agency. Also, there is never enough “people power” to provide adequate follow-up and support for graduates of the associate degree program.



      Lessons/Key messages

      It does not make sense to create new farmers unless we have a mechanism to support their successful entry and integration into the marketplace. A fisheries example is analogous. If we hatch a bunch of small fry and invest in growing them up to fingerling size, we should be careful to release them into the wild in an estuary first – a protected place where they can learn to swim strongly and evade predators. Likewise, we can continue to grow new farmers in a classroom relatively easily; but we will have a high failure rate until we provide proper habitat when we re-introduce them into the wild. In our programming, let’s remember to include care and support for newly minted farmers rather than just throwing them into the rough waters of a competitive marketplace.

    • Ms. Teresa Maisano

      Civil Society Mechanism (CSM) for relations with the UN Committee on World Food Security CFS
      Italy

      Dear CFS Secretariat,

       

      on behalf of the CSM please find uploaded an overview of positive civil society experiences in addressing food security and nutrition in the context of changing urban-rural dynamics. Attached you will also find annexed 8 concrete experiences. 

      Kind Regards

       

      Teresa Maisano

      CSM Secretariat

      See the attachments: