Глобальный форум по продовольственной безопасности и питанию (Форум FSN)

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[1] Submitted on June 26, 2024 to Svetlana Livinets, FSN Forum Manager at Email: [email protected]

[2] Dr. Santosh Kumar Mishra (Ph. D.) (He/his), Independent Researcher (Scholar) [Post-retirement from Population Education Resource Centre (PERC), Department of Lifelong Learning & Extension (DLLE), S. N. D. T. Women’s University (SNDTWU), Mumbai, India, https://sndt.ac.in]    

Mailing Address:

Dr. Santosh Kumar Mishra (Ph. D.) (He/his), Gomes Residency C. H. S. Ltd., Flat No. 11, 2^nd Floor, Lourdes Colony, Orlem, Off Marve Road, Malad (West), Mumbai-400064, Maharashtra, India [Tel.: (+91) 9224380445 (WahatsApp), Email: [email protected]]  

Note/Comments: (1) Views expressed below are mine and NOT of the PERC, DLLE, SNDTWU, where I was employed previously. (2) Some potion of the contribution has been taken from previously published work, sources have been quoted in the text. 

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1. Different ways of defining resilience:

• How do different groups define resilience (e.g. Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations, the scientific / peer reviewed literature, other key rights holders)?  

It is pertinent to note that a resilient food system is able to withstand and recover from disruptions in a way that ensures a sufficient supply of acceptable and accessible food for all. Disasters can upend food access and incomes in the short term, stretch food system businesses and safety net programs to the limit, and cause longer-term harm to people and systems that produce and distribute food. Due to structural inequities and racism, the consequences are typically worse for marginalized communities. The hazards are many, and often co-occurring: (1) climate change, (2) pandemic, (3) supply chain disruptions, (4) rising prices for food and production inputs (e.g., fertilizer), (5) conflict, and (6) worker shortages Importantly, a resilient food system is able to withstand and recover from disruptions in a way that ensures a sufficient supply of acceptable and accessible food for all.

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://clf.jhsph.edu/projects/food-system-resilience#:~:text=A%20resilient%20food%20system%20is,and%20accessible%20food%20for%20all. 

• What are the main types of vulnerabilities facing food supply chains and what are the potential consequences for food system actors (including input suppliers, food producers, traders, food system workers and consumers), considering different kinds of potential shocks?

Main types of vulnerabilities facing food supply chains:

Failures in the food supply chain can occur at the stages of production, processing, wholesale, distribution, retail, or food donation sources. Each of these levels is vulnerable to events caused by adverse weather, contamination, and insufficient resources.

Potential consequences for food system actors:

Food systems comprise all the people, institutions, places, and activities that play a part in growing, processing, transporting, selling, marketing, and, ultimately, eating food. Food systems influence diets by determining what kinds of foods are produced, which foods are accessible, both physically and economically, and peoples’ food preferences. They are also critical for ensuring:

1. food and nutrition security, 

2. people’s livelihoods, and 

3. environmental sustainability.

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/information/about-food-systems 

• What kind of inequities and power imbalances are present in food systems and how do they affect resilient FSN and especially for those groups facing multidimensional and intersectional aspects of inequality and vulnerability?

What kind of inequities and power imbalances are present in food systems and how do they affect resilient FSN?

Making food systems more equitable is necessary for the sustainability of our food systems and for the wellbeing of people, particularly those most vulnerable. And transforming food systems under a changing climate and accelerating biodiversity loss– to ensure food and nutrition security for all – demands action from all actors. It also requires (a) building agency and the capacities of the underrepresented; (b) changing power relations: both in the formal and informal spheres, and confronting harmful and discriminatory social norms; and (c) practices that are embedded in structures which systematically privilege some groups over others. In addition, there must be:

1. a greater investment in development that is people-centered, consistent with a human rights-based approach; 

2. better and more democratic tools for monitoring and implementing policies on economic, social and cultural rights; 

3. increased implementation of social protection programs; 

4. promoting the right to collective bargaining, livable wages, and social protection measures offered by the private sector; 

5. strengthening the capacity and self-determination of marginalized communities to advocate for their needs and hold governments accountable; 

6. increased social and environmental safeguards and regulations; investments and protections of indigenous knowledge; and 

7. traditional lands; better data; and localized solutions.

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://www.unfoodsystemshub.org/fs-summit-legacy/food-systems-summit-compendium/chapter-2-levers-of-change/equity-in-food-systems/en#:~:text=Income%20and%20Socioeconomic%20Equity,(World%20Bank%2C%202021). 

How do they affect resilient FSN and especially for those groups facing multidimensional and intersectional aspects of inequality and vulnerability?

Today’s food systems are highly unequal, exacerbating hunger and malnutrition around the world and hampering any successful transformative change. When food systems are unequal, it leads to a poor quality of life, low productivity, and perpetuated poverty, limiting people’s opportunities and economic growth. Climate change and conflicts further exacerbate these disparities. Even in rich countries, these inequalities systematically strike certain groups of people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, and these populations often face compounded disadvantages. In addition, inequalities in food security and nutrition (FSN) fuel instability at large, such as sparking protests, food riots, and political unrest.

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://www.siani.se/news-story/addressing-inequalities-in-food-security-and-nutrition/ 

• What resilience frameworks are there that should be explored? 

The framework is structured around following three components: 

1. the mapping of the actors and the local food system; 

2. the assessment of the resilience of these actors and that of the food system, and 

3. the outcomes of this resilience, assessed in term of local population's food security.

• What are the determinants, assets and skills that lead to resilience at different scales (household, community, national, regional)? 

Food systems are defined as social–ecological systems, formed of biophysical and social factors. The behaviour of a system is defined by an interplay of interacting subsystems, in which feedback plays a key role, rather than a simple chain of cause-effect relationships. Since this process includes feedback loops, the cause-effect relationships are not linear and often not predictable. For example, better access to agri-inputs can lead to more income, which in turn can lead to farmers purchasing more agri-inputs. Systematic attention is required to understand the complex behaviour of food systems. The system behaviour is defined by interactions between elements or subsystems of the system (e.g., between production and consumption), different levels of the systems (e.g. local and national) and the food system and other influencing systems (e.g. food and energy systems).

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://www.leap4fnssa.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Studyreport_food-sytem-resilience_final-11_06_21_CS.pdf 

• How can resilience be evaluated and/or measured at different scales (household, community, national, regional)? 

Food system resilience can be measured at different scales by considering multiple dimensions. At the field scale, resilience can be assessed by evaluating the use of diverse crop varieties, livestock breeds, and forage species, as well as the promotion of ecosystem functions. At the farm scale, resilience can be measured by examining the diversification of crops and livestock, as well as the implementation of adaptive approaches in response to perturbations. Resilience at regional and global scales can be evaluated by coordinating and implementing resilience approaches among farms, providing advice to farmers, and conducting targeted research. 

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://typeset.io/questions/what-are-the-dimensions-of-measuring-food-system-resilience-o5g19b571m

• What indicators would measure that food systems are resilient across their different components (e.g. consumption, supply chains, retail and production)?

It is key to broaden the approaches used in food security assessments and indicators to encompass the entire food system and complement those with a narrow focus on food availability, access and utilization. The state of key natural resources and supporting services such as transport, storage and energy and the management systems of these resources is as important as food production. Additionally, supporting policies and institutions that frame the capacities of people to address food insecurities when they occur also need to be considered. These need to be designed and adjusted in ways that support climate resilient food systems. The process of developing indicators is as important as the results. The adoption of iterative participatory processes to develop indicators is key to ensure their relevance and buy-in from involved communities and to decrease the risks of further marginalizing vulnerable groups. It is also important to identify and engage practitioners and policy-makers acting at the various vertical and horizontal spatial scales and involve them as early as possible throughout this process.

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/measuring_food_resilience_honduras_nicaragua.pdf?q=sites/default/files/publications/measuring_food_resilience_honduras_nicaragua.pdf

• Which and where are the weak points in global food systems in terms of ensuring the resilience of food security and nutrition? 

Food security means always having physical, social and economic access to sufficient safe and healthy food. This food must also meet food preferences and dietary needs for an active and healthy life. Ensuring food security poses major challenges as 9.3 billion people worldwide will need to be fed by the year 2050. Reducing food waste, enhancing infrastructure and promoting more efficient production techniques are key ways to improve food security. However, in terms of weak points, food insecurity will become an increasing problem over the coming decades. Food prices are likely to rise due to climate change and a growing world population. Nutritious food is therefore likely to become unattainable for more and more people.

Source: Accessed on June 24, 2024 from: https://www.wur.nl/en/show/food-security-11.htm

• What evidence bases are there to measure resilience and the effectiveness of interventions?

Widespread hunger, malnutrition, and water insecurity have devastating impacts on the health and well-being of millions of people. Evidence on what approaches are most effective to address these challenges and increase resilience can help make better investments and decisions. 

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://www.3ieimpact.org/research/mapping-evidence-resilience-and-food-security 

2. Understanding what we must be prepared for – the nature of shocks:

• What types of shock are more relevant to food systems and which ones are more likely to affect FSN? What type of shocks have been under-researched, especially regarding their impact on FSN and food systems? 

Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Many factors cause food crises and hunger. Nevertheless, the leading causes are poverty, war, economic fluctuations, natural disasters, as well as the ongoing pandemic. In addition, Due to the constant increase in population every year, the food system faces challenges regarding producing adequate amounts of food to feed the entire humanity. It is estimated that, by 2050, the world food system will have to provide food for more than 9 billion people.

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://www.lifefoster.eu/major-challenges-of-the-world-food-system/

• How might different kinds of shocks (e.g. climatic, social, financial or political) affect different regions and different aspects of the food system (e.g. production, processing or distribution)? 

The inability to access sufficient amounts of food is an issue that plagues populations globally. Limited mobility, economic barriers, and a lack of fresh food options prevent certain low-income communities from obtaining healthy and affordable food. This problem has only been exacerbated by the farm policy incentives that drive an excess production of sweets, fats, and meats, and producers choosing to cut costs through extensive food processing and use of high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated soy oil to increase product self-life and convenience. In addition, globally, consumers and farmers alike are unable to access the market or afford the costs of consumption or production. 

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://www.ampglobalyouth.org/2019/08/16/top-5-problems-global-food-system/ 

• How to balance preparing for short-term shocks (e.g. droughts and floods) versus the need to ensure food systems fit within planetary boundaries and long-term sustainability of systems? 

Food systems around the world are expected to deliver on a formidable “triple challenge”. The first requirement is to ensure food security and nutrition for all. The second is to provide livelihoods to farmers and others in the food chain, and promote rural development. The third is to do all this while ensuring environmental sustainability by (a) using natural resources sustainably (including protecting valuable ecosystems, biodiversity); and (b) reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Source: Accessed on June 24, 2024 from: https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/edf73cce-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/edf73cce-en

• Are there ways of enhancing resilience to unknown and unforeseen shocks? 

A resilience framework in food security and nutrition (FSN) can help bolster support for interventions, such as safety-net programs, that bridge relief and development. Several decades ago, short-term shocks were only of peripheral concern to most development experts. Helping people survive natural disasters, like floods and droughts, or manmade ones like civil unrest, was considered the responsibility of humanitarian aid organizations. Conversely, humanitarian agencies have historically focused mainly on relief rather than on the kinds of longer-term development-oriented interventions that might reduce exposure or vulnerability to shocks.

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://www.globalhungerindex.org/issues-in-focus/2013.html

3. Understanding and mitigating trade-offs:

• Are there trade-offs between increasing adaptation to one type of shock and creating other types of fragility? 

Today’s food systems are failing to deliver minimum food security and nutrition outcomes and to support equitable livelihoods for over 800 million people worldwide. They are exposed to increasingly complex risks, shocks, and stressors, including (a) conflict, (b) climate change, (c) COVID-19, and (d) the soaring cost of food. They can negatively impact the environment and can contribute to increasing vulnerability, especially in fragile areas. 2. Food systems should have the capacity to provide sufficient, safe, and affordable food and healthy diets for all, while aiming to be resilient in the face of major shocks and stressors, economic disturbance, and climate change, whilst recognizing that widespread violence and conflict as well as catastrophic climatic and other natural events are likely to affect any food system.

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://www.shareweb.ch/site/Agriculture-and-Food-Security/news/F2F%20Rome%202023%20%20All%20slides/Resilient%20Food%20Systems%20Framework_LV_NOV2022.pdf 

• What is the impact on resilience programming of different understandings of food security and nutrition (e.g. focus on nutrition, the four pillars, the six dimensions of food security, etc)?

Since the COVID-19 crisis food systems resilience is becoming an increasingly popular concept in the journey toward global food security. However, defining and assessing resilience remains a challenge. As it is such a broadly applicable concept, it needs to be operationalized for each specific case to make it meaningful. A resilient food system is able to withstand and recover from shocks and disruptions, such as natural disasters, economic downturns, or pandemics while providing access to nutritious, affordable, and culturally appropriate food for all. Incorporating these elements requires a holistic approach and does not add up to a single, straightforward approach to assess and build resilience at food systems level.

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://www.nfpconnects.com/conversations/the-abcd-of-food-system-resilience 

4. Existing programmes and policies to promote resilience – a gap analysis of current strategies and recommendations:

• How are countries preparing for food systems resilience today?  What are the main policies and documents that can provide information on these national level plans?

Global food systems impacts people’s lives and livelihoods, and are a high-emitting sector for carbon emissions, making them a priority in multilateral dialogue. Local contexts vary and agricultural methods must adapt accordingly, so farmers must be at the forefront and centre of change initiatives. Technology and innovation will drive climate adaptation and food systems resiliency; several initiatives have emerged to catalyse the right investment, ecosystem and market conditions for suitable solutions. Progress has been made in prioritizing global food and water systems through milestones like the UN Food Systems Summit, UN Water Summit and UNFCCC dialogues. However, the harsh truth is that up to 783 million people faced hunger in 2022, an increase of 1.3% from pre-pandemic levels.

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/12/food-systems-connection-climate-action-cop28/ 

• Are there current or recent partnerships / initiatives proven to contribute to building resilience? What are the lessons learned? 

The global food system (from farm to fork) is facing dramatic changes. Food production has evolved from a predominantly local effort to meet the nutritional needs of small communities to one dominated by sophisticated supply chains that span the globe. The relationship between the production and consumption of food has been impacted by urbanization, population growth, and changes in consumer tastes and dietary habits. Globally, climate change has now risen as a fundamental challenge to the world’s efforts to feed itself. In response to these challenges, technological advancements, data analytics, agriculture research and development (R&D), and new farming practices offer significant opportunities to transform food production and promote more sustainable practices. 

Within this changing landscape, public-private partnerships (PPPs) are a vital tool to achieve a more sustainable, efficient, and equitable global food system. By combining the strengths of the public and private sectors and incorporating actors such as philanthropies, multilateral organizations, and civil society, these multi-stakeholder partnerships can drive and support innovative solutions in food production, distribution, and consumption.

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://www.csis.org/analysis/partnership-opportunities-transform-food-systems 

• Could you provide success stories and best practices examples that can be applied to other locations?

Food companies are uniquely positioned to integrate innovative solutions and mobilize funding to transform food systems in response to climate change. One example is developing climate-resilient crops. Crops can be engineered to withstand extreme weather conditions, offering a profitable and sustainable solution to the challenges posed by changing climates. In addition, food companies are leaders in the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices among their suppliers through practices such as regenerative agriculture, biodiversity enhancement, soil enrichment, and watershed improvement. These practices are vital to creating a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector capable of withstanding the challenges posed by climate change. Companies are also implementing ground-breaking technologies to address pressing climate change issues. Precision agriculture is a prime example, where data analytics and internet of things (IoT) devices can be used to enhance farming efficiency, reducing waste and optimizing resource use. These are some of the ways that the global supply of food can be made more resilient in light of rising climate-based stressors.

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://www.csis.org/analysis/partnership-opportunities-transform-food-systems

• Is the currently portfolio of resilience programming well aligned to different types of foreseen and unforeseen shocks, scales, or parts of the food system? 

There is now wide agreement that the interactions among climate change trends, ecosystem fragility and geo-political instability have produced new configurations of risks that are increasingly difficult to predict. The combined effect of these new risk configurations has in turn placed a more pronounced set of negative pressures on the agro-ecological systems, economic resources, and social institutions that affect welfare dynamics. Consequently, the well-being of the world’s poor, that portion of the world population with the fewest protections, is now subject to a more challenging series of shocks and stressors. Viewed by many as a strategic approach to deal with the range of unpredictable risks that undermine well-being, resilience has recently emerged as a key concept for policy and program development. The concept of resilience is now at the center of policy discussions.

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://www.fsinplatform.org/sites/default/files/paragraphs/documents/FSIN_TechnicalSeries_1.pdf 

• What gaps are there in the current portfolio of country adaptation / resilience policies? 

Climatic variability has been acquiring an extensive consideration due to its widespread ability to impact food production and livelihoods. Climate change has the potential to intersperse global approaches in alleviating hunger and undernutrition. It is hypothesized that climate shifts bring substantial negative impacts on food production systems, thereby intimidating food security. Vast developments have been made addressing the global climate change, undernourishment, and hunger for the last few decades, partly due to the increase in food productivity through augmented agricultural managements. However, the growing population has increased the demand for food, putting pressure on food systems. Moreover, the potential climate change impacts are still unclear more obviously at the regional scales. Climate change is expected to boost food insecurity challenges in areas already vulnerable to climate change. Human-induced climate change is expected to impact food quality, quantity, and potentiality to dispense it equitably. Global capabilities to ascertain the food security and nutritional reasonableness facing expeditious shifts in biophysical conditions are likely to be the main factors determining the level of global disease incidence. It can be apprehended that all food security components (mainly food access and utilization) likely be under indirect effect via pledged impacts on ménage, incomes, and damages to health. The corroboration supports the dire need for huge focused investments in mitigation and adaptation measures to have sustainable, climate-smart, eco-friendly, and climate stress resilient food production systems. 

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.927535/full 

• What types of policy changes are needed to enhance the resilience of local, regional and global food systems, including with respect to global trading rules and considering inclusive and equitable employment opportunities, environmental sustainability, access to healthy diets and human rights?

Food systems have long faced simultaneous challenges related to environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability1. The broader debate engaging both academics and societal actors on how to ‘solve’ food system challenges tends to reduce the solution space to dichotomous perspectives. One example is the dichotomy of scale, where one narrative advocates for more localized food systems, while the opposite highlights the need for efficient coordination of food systems at the global level. The “local-global debate” is not new. Shifts to or calls for local or global food systems can be found in response to many historical food system crises. However, the local-global debate is now resurfacing under drastically altered conditions. Thus, it is timely to revisit the core tenets of the local-global debate and understand how to more constructively reframe food system challenges and solutions.

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-022-00662-0 

• What is the role of states in building more resilient food systems, including with respect to providing infrastructure, regulatory measures, international policy coordination and policy coherence?

Collaboration between governments, civil society, the private sector, and research institutions is key to implementing holistic and inclusive strategies. Effective policy and governance frameworks are essential for driving the transformation of food systems towards climate resilience.

In addition to traditional adaptation strategies, innovation plays a vital role in transforming food systems for climate resilience. Research and development in areas such as climate-resilient crop varieties, biofortification, sustainable aquaculture, and alternative protein sources are critical for addressing food security challenges in a changing climate. Advances in digital agriculture, blockchain technology, and data analytics also offer new opportunities for improving resilience and transparency in food supply chains.

Effective policy and governance frameworks are essential for driving the transformation of food systems towards climate resilience. Integrating climate change considerations into agricultural policies, promoting sustainable land use planning, incentivising climate-smart practices through subsidies and incentives, and fostering international cooperation and knowledge exchange can be adopted. Collaboration between governments, civil society, the private sector, and research institutions is key to implementing holistic and inclusive strategies.

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/creating-climate-resilient-food-systems#:~:text=Collaboration%20between%20governments%2C%20civil%20society,food%20systems%20towards%20climate%20resilience. 

• What measures are necessary to incentivize private sector strategies and investments that promote supply chain resilience?

Resilient food systems can withstand short and long-term shocks and stressors such as natural disasters and extreme weather events. They are described as diverse, integrated, self-regulating, adaptive, inclusive, and equitable. Examples of food system resilience, including food sovereignty, are found globally, often led by civil society and Indigenous peoples. These systems guarantee and protect people’s space, ability, and right to define their own models of food production, distribution, and consumption. Food-system resilience begins by supporting sustainable farming businesses that prioritize both environmental and human health. Over the last century, global competition has led to enormous consolidation of agricultural production. Large industrial farms, many of which lack diversity and only produce one or two commodity crops, degrade soil health, reduce biodiversity, pollute water, threaten food security for local communities, limit employment opportunities, and exploit farm workers. Micro, small-, and mid-sized sustainable farms, by contrast, contribute to a vibrant agricultural economy with more farmers and local jobs, keep more money circulating within regional economies, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other off-site environmental impacts on communities. They can also reduce food safety risks for consumers.

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://navigatingimpact.thegiin.org/strategy/sa/increasing-resiliency-of-food-systems-through-agriculture/

5. Share recent literature, case studies and data that could help answer the questions listed above.

By 2050, the United Nations expects the percentage of the global population residing in cities to increase from 55 to 68%. Already, up to 70 percent of the food produced worldwide is consumed in urban areas, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Cities are responsible for approximately 70% of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions.

In order to support urban food systems, the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP), an international agreement of mayors aimed at tackling food issues at the city level, was introduced in the year 2015. Bringing together more than 210 cities worldwide, it represents a working tool to help build sustainable urban food systems that are inclusive, safe, and diverse.

The cities that have signed on to the MUFPP are home to projects working to better food production, improve social and economic equity, make diets more sustainable and nutritious, and reduce food waste. Presented below is brief description of ten projects (designed and implemented in different countries) that are aimed at increasing the resilience of urban food systems:

1. Community Urban Gardening Program, Araraquara, Brazil:

Located in Araraquara, São Paulo, the Municipal Community Urban Garden Program is helping the city work toward food and nutrition security. In addition to growing fruits and vegetables, the garden offers a certification program through which participants can gain agricultural experience. To increase its impact, the program is also working to install vegetable gardens in regions around the city.

2. Esquela de Gigantes, La Paz, Bolivia:

Esquela de Gigantes, which translates to School of Giants, is a food and nutrition educational program helping to cultivate organic school gardens. The program strives to emphasize intercultural knowledge and healthy eating habits while improving the academic performance of students. When in-person programs were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program shared educational videos and hosted workshops and webinars on gardening and nutrition.

3. Food Policies for a Resilient City, Barcelona, Spain:

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city of Barcelona is working to make its food system more resilient by introducing new programs and strengthening partnerships. These projects are helping to support a distribution center that allows farmers to sell directly to retailers, strengthen markets that offer sustainably grown food, and improve food aid to help the most vulnerable communities. Through a systemic approach, they hope these new projects can improve the quality of life of residents and reduce the impact of the food system on the planet.

4. H.O.P.E., Surakarta, Indonesia:

In Indonesia, Surakata’s government is working to empower city residents to improve community wellness and food security. Encouraging people to utilize land around their homes, the city hopes that more households will begin growing their own produce. To support these efforts, city agencies are collaborating to provide both agricultural inputs and training for those who are interested. The city is also working to increase food access through a supplementary feeding program for young children.

5. Mérida Nos Une, Mexico City, Mexico:

Mérida nos une is a network intended to bring together residents of Mexico City and build resilience. Through a digital platform of the same name, residents in need of food, basic necessities and services can connect with those able to help. Since April 2020, the project has aided more than 2,600 individuals and families.

6. Mezitli Female Producers’ Market, Mezitli, Turkey:

Mezitli Female Producers’ Market was the first market in Turkey run entirely by women producers. The project reached women in neighbourhoods across the city, providing them with stands to sell their products, which range from olive oils and marmalades to cheeses and baked goods. The project is helping local residents gain independence and today, roughly 650 women producers run stands at nine producers’ markets across the city.

7. Micro-gardening in the City of Dakar, Dakar, Senegal:

To address the social and economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city of Dakar helped launch micro-gardens to bolster food security in the area. The gardens, located in neighbourhoods across the city, provide residents access to produce. According to residents utilizing the gardens, the spaces promote the consumption of healthy food and increase self-sufficiency in the face of the pandemic.

8. Resident Food Equity Advisors, Baltimore, the United States of America:

Baltimore’s Resident Food Equity Advisors (RFEA) are cohorts of local residents working to drive equitable food policies through an inclusive and collaborative process. Drawing from their own experiences with the city’s food system, each group of Advisors tackles a different issue requiring attention. The most recent cohort of Advisors developed a set of recommendations to improve food equity in and around the Housing Authority of Baltimore City Family Developments.

9. Responding to Food insecurity: a Made in Toronto Solution, Toronto, Canada:

To help vulnerable communities, Toronto’s emergency food providers mobilized to get food to those in need at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In partnership with nonprofit organizations, the city opened 11 temporary food banks at library branches across the city. In four months, these services reached more than 12,000 households. Once libraries reopened to the public, the food banks moved to other sites around the city and today, two of the temporary food banks are still in operation to meet residents’ needs.

10. Turning the Crisis into an Opportunity, Tel Aviv, Israel:

When COVID-19 hit Tel Aviv, the city’s government focused on helping families eat healthily and affordably by launching an online educational campaign. As part of the city’s Bon Appetit program, they published a variety of videos to help parents prepare nutritious meals on a budget, establish gardens to grow their own vegetables, and cook with their children. Other videos, designed for children, included an interactive story time to encourage viewers to try new foods.

Source: Accessed on June 26, 2024 from: https://foodtank.com/news/2021/10/projects-increasing-the-resilience-of-urban-food-systems/