Explore Official Dialogue Feedback

There were clear differences in perspectives on the complexity of climate change and its impacts on the agri-food system between the on-line public forum and the individual FGDs. From a top-down policy perspective represented by the on-line public forum, addressing climate change is viewed as a complex system with agriculture being both casualty and a driver of climate change. This viewpoint was less prominent in the FGDs, where local discourse on climate resilience was mostly centred on the impact of climatic hazards on the agro ecological landscapes and how this leads to significant losses i... Read moren productivity and income. Building resilience to these hazards also entailed interventions such as changing cropping systems, adopting productivity-enhancing technologies and infrastructure—which require financial investments that vulnerable smallholder farmers were unable to afford. Access to financial mechanisms and other necessary resources was particularly limited for women and youth, as well as those living in remote, less developed communities. Convergence and organization of key stakeholders at multiple levels were proposed as solutions. These include institutional mechanisms, such as merging government development schemes with agricultural plans, and expanding disaster risk, reduction and recovery plans to cover smallholder farmers. Organizing and clustering farmers is needed to improve their access to inputs, capacity building, and formal financial services. Mechanization and its associated increased productivity were also seen as pathways for increased participation of women and youth. Crop insurance and other safety nets can help smallholder farmers bounce back from climatic shocks. Identified priority areas for research and development are dependent on landscape and climatic conditions. These include the development of lower cost and scale-neutral stress tolerant rice varieties, improving rice-fish systems and polder farming, and the establishment of climate smart villages. It was also suggested that promising new technologies must be made readily available in the public domain. Read less

The agri-food system is undergoing profound and drastic changes: globalization, demographic shifts, and changing dietary preferences, amplified by transforming land-water systems, climate change and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Urgent and collective action is required of all stakeholders across the system to ensure that it is able to build resilience to these changes and provide access to safe, nutritious and sustainably produced food for all. The food systems approach calls for an integration of the food system with the social system and the environment, and a clear recognition that equitab... Read morele access to food is a human right. Climate change is a global phenomenon that has location-specific impacts. As such, some of the solutions that can help build climate resilience are necessarily local. For the countries included in this dialogue, rural and agricultural investment priorities include the development and dissemination of climate-smart crop varieties and technologies, pivoting to more resilient farming systems, nutrition-sensitive cropping systems, crop insurance, digitalisation of agriculture and real-time access to weather data, among others. Regional cooperation is also important for policy development, knowledge exchange and capacity building. It is now evident that climate change reduces productivity—and the lack of access to appropriate mechanized tools, machinery and other resources hinders the participation of women and youth. Making food systems more inclusive means that all actors—even vulnerable and underserved sectors—have equitable income earning potential. Social safety nets and incentives that allow access to financing, capacity building, and appropriate varieties, technologies and other resources are necessary to ensure that women and youth are able to meaningfully participate in the food system. Organizing and mobilizing constituencies play a key role in providing access. Discussions around nutrition-sensitive interventions also fall under the theme of inclusive value chains. Such interventions require that producers,value chain stakeholders and policy makers consider the nutritional needs and dietary preferences of consumers, while providing a compelling case for consumers to shift towards more nutritious diets. Rice will continue to play a key role in mediating the region’s food and nutrition security goals as a staple crop that billions of individuals rely on for sustenance and livelihoods. Improving agricultural value chains plays a critical role in rural reinvigoration: improving access to inputs, building storage and processing facilities, strengthening transportation systems and broadening market access through stakeholder linkages, digital platforms, and demand-driven production. Mitigating the impacts of male out migration through rural job generation, strengthening social safety nets, and safeguarding farmers’ incomes through the enforcement of minimum standard pricing and the promotion of domestic production can also contribute to rural reinvigoration. COVID-19 underscored the vulnerabilities of the food value chain that can be addressed through infrastructure investment, but opportunities were also identified in broadening markets, particularly in establishing digital platforms that can help producers, value chain actors, consumers, and policymakers make informed decisions. Digitalisation is perceived to be a lever of transformation, but current gaps in implementation must be addressed in order to reap its expected benefits. Human intervention remains necessary for technology adoption, and extension and advisory services can complement digital tools in strengthening the right to information. These outcomes are discussed in further detail in the following sections. While the goal of food systems transformation, in broad terms, can be envisioned as providing healthy, sustainably produced food on the plates of all people at all times, specific indicators for measuring the success of food system transformation have yet to be clearly articulated in detail. A proposed initial step in articulating these indicators would be through establishing multi-stakeholder participatory monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to enable vulnerable groups and underserved sectors to provide grassroots perspective that can inform research and development priorities and policy recommendations. All stakeholders across South Asia must have a say on where time, money, resources are invested to maximize impact. Read less

The success of efforts to develop rural economies, ensure food and nutrition security, and eradicate rural poverty depend on building climate change resilient agricultural systems managed by smallholders and the widespread adoption of innovations at the technical, institutional, social and policy levels. However, although there are “islands” of climate-resilient agriculture practiced in the Global South, what has been lacking to date has been change at scale. The COVID-19 pandemic may present an opportunity to build back better if public and private investment is directed towards reinvigor... Read moreating rural communities by developing an inclusive, climate-resilient smallholder agriculture sector that meets the needs of people and the planet. The Independent Food Systems Dialogue that we organized aimed to bring together a range of stakeholders across the food system -- from producers to value chain actors, consumers and policymakers -- to respond to the challenge of nourishing South Asia in a post-COVID 19 context. Specifically, the dialogue addressed the following questions: 1)What are the main barriers to agricultural innovation for climate resilience in South Asia? Who should be involved in research for development, investment, and deployment decisions for building climate resilience at scale? 2) How do we ensure that food value chains in South Asia are inclusive? 3) What kind of investments in food system transformation in South Asia can help reinvigorate rural communities? For example, investments in cold chains, custom hiring centres and mechanization? 4) How should digitalisation of the food value chain be implemented in South Asia in a way which benefits smallholder farmers? Will this help to build back better after COVID-19? The dialogue consists of two parts: a) a series of in-country focus group discussions (Bangladesh; Assam and Odisha in India; Nepal) with farmers, value chain actors, and policy makers addressing these questions, and b) an online public forum with stakeholders and experts at the regional level. The Bangladesh FGD was held on 8 July, focusing primarily on the themes of climate- and COVID-19 resilience, inclusive value chains, and rural reinvigoration. The Nepal FGD was held on 12 July and focused on the themes of climate- and COVID-19 resilience and inclusive value chains. FGDs for Assam and Odisha were simultaneously conducted on 13 July; Assam focused on inclusive value chains and digitalization, while the Odisha discussion centred on climate- and COVID-19 resilience and rural reinvigoration. Key findings were reported in the online public forum on 14 July to high level ministry officials and a panel of experts from Bangladesh, India and Nepal, who provided feedback and their own insight on these themes. Read less

Complementary pathways towards food systems transformation emerged during the discussion, particularly in the sessions on food and nutrition security research and in sustainable investments. Improving access to nutritious foods can be approached in two ways: by improving the nutritive value of staple crops like rice, and by diversifying production in order to diversify the food that consumers can afford to eat. These approaches are intended to improve market access, making it profitable for producers and other value chain actors, and affordable for consumers. Prioritizing research on productio... Read moren, whether on staples or diversified crops, would benefit from adding a lens on consumer research: understanding their knowledge, attitudes, and practices in order to shift behavior towards healthier food choices. Stakeholders involved in investments approached the issue of sustainability in two ways. First, by focusing on production systems that provide tangible benefits to investors and end-users; and then via a more transformative approach that incentivizes broader sustainability impact within a longer timescale. These pathways generally align with short- and long-term views on food systems transformation, and can be implemented in parallel if there is coordination and collaboration among the relevant sectors. It was generally agreed that grassroots sectors should be prioritized in investments, but different entry points were identified for their inclusion. Streamlining existing mechanisms—making value chains more efficient, improving access to information, technology, and finance–- can facilitate meaningful participation. However, it is important to note that participants working at or with local communities suggested the increased involvement of grassroots sectors in identifying their needs and planning, implementing, and scaling solutions, as well as in developing the evidence base that can be used to inform policy recommendations. The urgency and complexity of food systems transformation underscores the need to consider multiple perspectives and pathways. Read less

Breakout Session 3 focused on sustainable investment and ensuring inclusive access to resources.Two investment tracks emerged during the discussion: 1) a focus on production systems (affordable, adaptable and profitable inputs and technologies, and/or more efficient value chains) that provide tangible benefits to investors and end-users; and 2) a more transformative approach that incentivizes investments with long-term sustainability impact despite little immediate benefit. These include nature-based solutions and natural resource management, and ensuring the equitable participation of underse... Read morerved sectors in the agri-food system. Another investment area considered was communication, in terms of infrastructure and as an extension service/activity, as a means to bridge the digital and information gap and enable grassroots end-users to make informed choices about investments or access resources for their livelihoods. Multi-stakeholder engagement was underscored throughout the discussion: as a top-down approach with government-industry-academe partnerships; and from the bottom-up, where grassroots stakeholders are empowered to participate in identifying and developing solutions for their community and financial mechanisms, project planning, and investment opportunities are devolved to local government units. Innovative financing instruments such as impact bonds and blended finance were viewed as potential tools for increasing investments from the private sector; it was also suggested that new investors should be cultivated from the younger generation. Strengthening the enabling environment was also emphasized: developing investment criteria and governance mechanisms, and ensuring that supportive legal instruments for sustainable investments are in place. Read less

Breakout Session 2 focused on the research-policy interface, and what needs to be done to ensure the development and implementation of evidence-based policies. Multiple gaps were identified in the process of translating research into policy, beginning with the disconnect between the available evidence base and the intended outcomes that policymakers want to address. This was understood to be primarily a lack of access to data, though it could in some instances refer to a lack of relevant research for specific concerns, which points to the need to strengthen implementation of national research ... Read moreagendas. The issue of access to data is multi-faceted, ranging from lack of infrastructure widening the digital gap, the need to consolidate evidence into relevant open-access dashboards or platforms, to the comprehensibility of the presented data. Data quality is perceived to be important, and the need to independently validate data was raised. Streamlining bureaucratic processes was also identified as a barrier for evidence-based policies, particularly in the context of accessing and adopting the latest technologies such as gene editing. Some feedback was also provided on the nature of research—bringing in cross-sectoral expertise to provide the necessary cultural and social contexts, and the value of effective feedback mechanisms in generating quality evidence. Effective communication, lobbying and interfacing between research and policy is necessary. There is a perceived lack of information sharing from sectors involved in research (whether from academia, research institutes, or the private sector) and the need to have a regular platform for knowledge exchange or research dissemination was identified as a possible solution. Extending the conversation to the public sphere – through traditional or social media – was also viewed as a viable way for policymakers to be made aware of relevant research. Putting these recommendations into action would entail a baseline understanding and alignment among researchers and policymakers of their respective processes and languages. Researchers should be aware of which key areas are policy priorities, the types of evidence policymakers need and how these should be presented, while policymakers should be aware of the research process, the appropriate timeframes and success indicators, and how these can feed into the development of realistic outcomes that policy changes can help address. Read less

Breakout Session 1 focused on food and nutrition research areas, stakeholders that need to be engaged, and barriers to innovation uptake. It was noted that the Covid-19 pandemic response is a learning experience that can drive food systems transformation. It exposed inequalities inherent in the current food system, and underscored the importance of proper nutrition and good health in maintaining quality of life. An increased interest in food and nutrition security was demonstrated through the broad scope of suggested research areas spanning across the agri-food system (albeit mostly dependent ... Read moreon the participants’ expertise). Common themes include sustainability, value chain upgrading, availability and access to more nutritious food crops, a focus on aquaculture, and consumer research. Two parallel pathways for improving access to nutritious foods were presented: 1) improving the nutritive value of staple crops like rice, and 2) diversifying farm systems in order to diversify the food on consumers’ plates. Identified stakeholders were also spread out across the value chain: what was emphasized was the importance of acknowledging the different views, concerns and perspectives of producers, value chain actors, consumers at all stages of the program cycle. Barriers to innovation uptake were identified at the individual level: resistance to change or lack of acceptance among end-users, as well as insufficient financial capability—and at the institutional level, or the lack of an enabling environment or policy support for nutrition-related innovations. While poor knowledge, understanding or skills were identified as underlying factors, a lack of understanding on the part of program implementers about the social, cultural, behavioural factors of end-users was also acknowledged and the need for more participatory dialogue mechanisms was presented as a possible solution. Lack of evidence was also presented as a barrier: for as long as innovation has demonstrable benefits for its intended end-users, uptake will not be an issue. Participants acknowledged the importance of changing mindsets from “feeding to nourishing” to prioritize nutritive value over yield, and from “short-term to long-term” to emphasize more sustainable pathways to achieving nutrition and public health goals. This entails social and behavior change, which would require the participation of communication- and culture-focused stakeholders such as extension workers and social scientists, as well as “non-traditional” stakeholders such as designers and members of the creative sector, in food systems transformation. A roadmap to a sustainable food system should be collaboratively developed by agriculture, nutrition, health sectors, with clear targets, commitments, and accountability measures. This would help pivot towards a food systems mindset and adopt a more holistic understanding of how nutritious food is produced and consumed in a safe and sustainable manner. Read less

Initial context setting recognized the challenges and opportunities that emerged due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The economic disruptions caused by restricted mobility amplified the social inequities of vulnerable sectors, and raised concerns about rising food insecurity and its consequences on nutrition in a region where the multiple forms of malnutrition continue to be a prevalent public health concern. The agriculture sector suffered its share of setbacks, but may have proven more resilient than other industries, such as tourism. Regional cooperation reduced the early disruptions to agricultu... Read moreral trade, and opportunities arose from changing consumer behavior and the rapid pivot to digital platforms, and a demographic shift from urban to rural locations could impact future agricultural labor practices and initiatives. Food Systems champions were invited to give their perspectives on how to catalyze food systems transformation in order to meet regional food and nutrition security goals in a post-COVID-19 context. The first champion, Dr. Shakuntala Thilsted of WorldFish, drew lessons from her experience in shifting mindsets on nutrition and aquaculture and how this can be applied to revisioning rice as a part of sustainable healthy diets. Diversity is a crucial element of change: in terms of solutions needed for diversifying diets, but also in perspectives engaged. Elevating the role and visibility of underrepresented sectors like women, youth and indigenous peoples throughout the research, development and deployment process would help contextualize global agendas into local solutions. Good quality data is necessary, and care must be exercised to ensure that the data provided does not mask inequalities and lead to mismatched policy priorities. Policy interventions must also be guided by a food systems approach, bringing in multiple disciplines and providing multiple pathways to address solutions. The second champion, Dr. Glenn Gregorio of SEARCA, viewed food systems transformation from the perspective of improving the agricultural research and development pipeline of technology generators, adopters, and end-users. By strengthening the academe-industry-government linkages through research collaboration and co-sharing of resources, the delivery of innovation from research to market can be expedited. Identified priority areas include: developing well planned local food production systems, improving fintech and investments in agriculture-adjacent sectors to sustain the growing interest in agripreneurship, and—from a regional cooperation perspective—striking a balance between trade priorities and food security. These science-based solutions must be underpinned by an understanding of Southeast Asian cultures and lifestyle in order to be sustained and scaled up. Sectoral responses provided multiple entry points on how food systems can be transformed. Representatives from the farming sector underscored the importance of social safety nets and access to financial mechanisms to ensure resilience from external shocks, while advocating for the promotion of sustainable and healthy consumption among consumers so that production processes in support of this advocacy will be profitable to farmers. A younger farmer-entrepreneur echoed the need for a supportive ecosystem to encourage the youth to engage in agriculture, and noted that transformation begins with habits, mindset, and culture. Two key policy recommendations were presented by the development sector representative: diversifying agri-food commodities to meet market demand, with a focus on food and nutrition, safety and quality; and greening and enhancing resilience of investments, with a focus on pricing environmental services and establishing incentive mechanisms. From the perspective of the value chain actors, profitability, demand creation and sustainability must be addressed in order to engender food systems transformation for people and planet. Sustainable crop production practices and market inclusiveness must be encouraged, and an evidence base must be developed for an enabling policy environment. These findings were discussed in further detail in the breakout sessions that followed (see succeeding responses). To close the opening forum, convenors reiterated the need to restructure food systems towards delivering healthier diets, economies, and environment through a holistic food-land-water approach and repurposing public support for agriculture to prioritize nutrition, deliver public goods like research and extension, and reduce market distortions and inefficiencies to ensure meaningful and equitable participation in the agri-food system. What is apparent from the conversations that took place is that all stakeholders understood the urgency of transforming food systems and the collaborative action necessary for change. They also highlighted the importance of building the resilience of food systems for future shocks and changes. Based on the identified priorities and proposed solutions, it was also clear that sustainable and inclusive transformation can and should take place at multiple levels and timescales, with some sectors and stakeholders focusing on short-term goals, while others can appropriately address medium- and long-term benefits. Read less

COVID-19 has exposed vulnerabilities in the agri-food system, which further threatens the nutrition and food security of already vulnerable groups. Building resilience is key and this entails exploring innovative solutions and collaboration among all stakeholders. Research will be crucial in informing policy decisions and future directions for food systems transformation, and the agricultural sector joins the movement to reformulate a shared vision of future food systems, anchored on socio-economic and health inclusiveness to ensure that no one is left behind. This Independent Food Systems Dia... Read morelogue aimed to bring together a range of stakeholders across the food system -- from producers to value chain actors, consumers and policymakers -- to respond to the challenge of nourishing Southeast Asia in a post-COVID 19 context. Specifically, the dialogue aimed to address these three questions: 1) What areas of food and nutrition security need to be addressed and who are the stakeholders that need to be involved in the research, development, investment, and deployment process? What are the barriers to innovation uptake? 2) How can policymakers efficiently access research that can help inform the development of data-driven and evidence-based policies? What mechanisms should be in place to monitor, evaluate, and feedback results? 3) What investment support is needed to strengthen food systems transformation? How can we make access to resources more equitable to vulnerable and underserved sectors? The Dialogue consisted of two parts: an agenda-setting online public forum that serves as a conversation starter and ceremonial call to action, and a smaller private breakout session where key stakeholders can further discuss these ideas in depth. Read less

Overall, Dialogue participants came from a diversity of experiences in the food system, which led to a rich and vibrant discussion. Despite many different ideas and thoughts being expressed, there were no large points of contention in the group discussions. One area of divergence among the planning committee was on the decision to host the Independent Dialogue. The current structure of the Independent Dialogues for the Food Systems Summit works very well for corporations and governments, but we also believe that it neglects grassroots voices and voices of those who operate on the small-scale i... Read moren the food system. The group discussed the critiques and counter events to the Food Systems Summit that have been taking place around the world, such as the one hosted by The Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples’ Mechanism (CSM). We decided to participate in the Food Systems Summit’s Independent Dialogue as a youth group because we were curious and wanted to give our voice, but we demand that voices of youth globally be incorporated through the UN Food Systems Summit. We hold the UN Food System Summit accountable in practicing anti-oppression approaches to collaboration and supporting under-represented voices to be heard , especially if they challenge the status quo. In the process of planning the Independent Dialogue, the planning committee has recognized some areas of improvement for the Summit Dialogue Method. While a standardized approach allowed for efficiency in organizing and implementing the Dialogue, there was a lack of flexibility and originality during the planning process. Following the Dialogue, it was evident that participants required food systems language and vocabulary to be a part of these conversations. It is difficult to attract a youth audience if youth do not have a basic understanding of concepts and terms the Summit uses, e.g. equity. Youth with a lack of food systems education, a discussion theme that emerged (see Main Findings), may not view these Dialogues as an entry to food systems discussion. The language and communication methods used by the Summit create a barrier to participation for youth. In regards to the Participation data collected for the Official Feedback Form (OFF), we found that it does not uphold the “Be Respectful” Principle. The 3 options available to choose a gender (Male, Female, Prefer not to say, and other) are not inclusive to trans, two-spirit, non-binary and gender non-conforming peoples. This method of data collection perpetuates the gender binary and literally “others” people into a separate group that is not male/female. We disagree with the marginalization of people based on their gender for the sole purpose of collecting participant information. Lastly, the ‘Number of participants from each stakeholder group’ section in the OFF Participation does not uphold the “Embrace Multi-stakeholder Inclusivity” Principle. It is disappointing that Youth is not included as an option for stakeholder groups in the OFF, yet there are 3 international organization options. If the Summit recognizes youth as stakeholders, this should be reflected in its processes. The Summit needs to acknowledge that many youths are interested in joining stakeholder groups like ‘Farmer’ but face barriers to entering this group, and thus, a student or youth option is necessary. Read less

How to break down barriers for youth in the food system? Youth are key players in creating change in food systems, thus it is important to create incentives to encourage youth to get involved and pursue careers in the food system sector. Representation and education are critical factors in supporting youth involvement. In order to improve representation in the food system, the idea of agriculture as a viable career path needs to actively be shared with youth. Students should be exposed to farming as a career path while in school and food system sector careers should be portrayed in a positive ... Read moreand encouraging light. There are opportunities to use social media, such as Instagram, to share information about careers in the food system. Education, both in school curriculums and outside of school, should focus on how we can transform the food system and alternatives to current practices. Financial incentives such as grants and scholarships should be made to support youth performing internships or other forms of education needed for careers in the food system. In addition, more opportunities and student placements should be created so that students can get experience and have the opportunity to try out this career field. Many farming jobs require 2-3 seasons of prior experience, which can make it very difficult for someone who does not have family connections or the necessary resources to get into the industry. Read less

What does a sustainable diet look like for you? What values does a sustainable diet need to display? A sustainable diet should take into account the use of production and natural resources. Participants identified that plant-based or vegan diets can be beneficial in that alternative proteins require fewer resources to produce (e.g. water, feed, land). There are also options for more sustainable animal proteins, such as pasture-raised cows for beef or accessing alternative low waste protein sources such as crickets. However, there are many challenges to some of these practices. For example, pas... Read moreture-raised cows are significantly expensive and take up more land than conventional industrial beef farms. A sustainable diet should be financially accessible to everyone. Participants identified that vegan or plant-based diets are becoming trendy and have become a “rich person diet” despite numerous communities across the world that have been eating plant-based diets for generations. Vegan or plant-based foods and products are often marketed to and enjoyed by middle and upper-class citizens as they are relatively expensive and more prevalent in exclusionary grocery stores such as health food stores and premium grocery chains. Excluding such foods from people of lower socioeconomic status limits the number of people adopting sustainable diets and can consequently increase the population forced to adopt unsustainable, non-nutritive diets. Therefore as sustainable diets become more financially accessible (for instance, through government subsidies), such diets can become easier to adopt and more widespread. It is also important that food is produced locally. Participants recognize that certain plant-based foods and ingredients eaten in North America have been shipped great distances, which increases their carbon footprint (e.g. coconut oil, cashews). Working alongside Indigenous communities is important because they have been using sustainable growing and hunting practices for centuries. For example, when Indigenous communities hunt, they make sure to use the entire animal and let nothing go to waste and show that there are ways to incorporate animal protein into a sustainable diet. In addition, Indigenous communities have been using a Three Sisters growing technique for generations, in which they plant corn, bean and squash crops together that all benefit each other’s growth. Indigenous growing techniques are very different from the conventional monoculture crops grown at a large scale today. However, it is important to ensure we work alongside these communities to create sustainable change by utilizing their methods of sustainable agriculture and not taking their ideas without credit. There are many chemicals used in food production that end up in our diet and it can be very difficult to remove these from one's diet. Participants identified examples such as bleach used to clean produce that ends up in the food we eat and mycotoxins secreted from fungi (moulds). Furthermore, antibiotics that are injected into animals to keep them free from disease also harm the human microbiome. Overall, participants identified that a sustainable diet should be locally sourced, financially accessible and culturally appropriate. In order to improve our diets, it will require collaboration among different communities, governments, and stakeholders across different sectors. Read less

What barriers do youth face in getting involved in a sustainable food system? Educational barriers prevent youth from being aware of issues in the food system. Participants identified that unless you are exposed to the food system field, you would not know about the people, organizations or the challenges that are faced. Participants identified that curriculum about food systems in Canadian schools and exposure through hands-on experience are currently limited. Financial barriers prevent youth from getting involved in food systems or from developing sustainable practices and lifestyles. Interg... Read moreenerational wealth is almost a necessity to be able to afford land and start-up costs in Canadian agriculture. In addition, shifting agricultural, diets and food system practices to be more sustainable is costly and a financial risk. Youth who are just starting in the agriculture or food systems sector may not be able to risk changing their practices for fear they do not work and do not produce enough product to break even. Participants identified that perhaps the government could provide financial incentives to landowners who own land not used for agriculture and share the land use with youth or other farms for regenerative agriculture purposes. Youth can feel powerless to create change when working with limited resources. Participants identified that big corporations can be intimidating since they have vast financial resources and power. It can be discouraging because youth may believe they need extensive resources to accomplish impactful change. Participants also identified that “greenwashing” can further complicate youth’s ability to take part in sustainable initiatives. Participants identified that it is important to move away from commercialization and focus on local and resilient change. On the other hand, it was emphasized that a barrier to facilitating sustainable food systems at the local and individual level includes housing without a garden or a green space to grow your own food (e.g. apartments without balconies and housing with unusable or inaccessible backyard space). Therefore, community-level initiatives such as community garden spaces are essential for sustainable food systems to be accessible to all youth. Read less

How to get youth leaders involved in sustainable food systems? Education and opportunities for engagement are critical for getting youth leaders involved in sustainable food systems. Participants identified that learning can take many forms such as through school programs, urban gardens and eco-tourism. Schools can implement seed education programs or teach science and numeracy through food. It is important for students to get the opportunity to spend time out on the land, such as through school gardens, where they can build an appreciation for nature. Furthermore, youth should learn about cri... Read moretical issues in the food system and should be encouraged to take action. One participant shared an example of youths at their university who had organized a climate strike where youth gathered and led a large group of their peers to walk out of class in support of climate justice. Youth need to see examples of successful change so that they are not discouraged about standing up for issues they believe in. Urban farms and urban gardens can be a gateway for youth to learn more about food systems issues and to connect with farmers. These spaces can expose youth to different career prospects and build an appreciation for nature. These spaces are especially important in urban areas where youth may not have other opportunities. Participants identified that eco-tourism can have numerous benefits such as exposing youth to nature, helping to build a convention with Indigenous communities in the area and strengthening the local economy. Eco-tourism is a form of tourism involving responsible travel to natural areas. Participants also identified that eco-tourism does pose some challenges as it can result in damage to the ecosystem. For example, some of the Canadian and American national parks are treated like a theme park instead of with the respect and understanding that it is a living ecosystem. Read less

What does sustainability and a sustainable food system mean/look like to you? A sustainable food system is one that does not harm the environment, is economically viable and promotes justice for all its workers. Environmental sustainability involves the system as a whole to ensure that no harm is being done to the environment. This can be achieved by ensuring the food system is low waste and that individual daily habits demonstrate sustainable practices. The Seventh Generation Principle was appreciated by participants, which is a concept by the Haudenosaunee in that “the decisions we make to... Read moreday should result in a sustainable world seven generations into the future.”[1] Participants identified how the understanding of sustainability has been altered to seeing surface-level changes, such as using paper straws or bamboo cutlery, as methods to maintain sustainability; In reality, it is the system as a whole that needs to change. Participants also identified the ethical dilemma for grassroots organizations to secure funding. For example, grants for grassroots movements, such as youth food policy councils, may come from corporations with activities that result in environmental degradation. This is a double-edged sword that allows companies to “greenwash” themselves and hide the damage they are doing to the environment. Participants also noted food waste as a major sustainability issue that should be addressed on an individual and corporate level. People should be encouraged to be mindful of their food waste and take steps to mitigate it. Moreover, corporations should also be held accountable. Economic sustainability is essential to ensure that companies in the food system are able to use sustainable practices. For example, while regenerative agriculture on farms is ideal, it may be a financial risk that farmers are not able to take or invest in. Participants identified that it is important to create legislative changes that incentivize farmers to move towards sustainable practices. Equity and justice need to be at the forefront of a sustainable food system. Participants identified that there is an inequity of access to and availability of food across the world where some communities have an abundance and others do not have enough. Participants also suggested the importance of “Treating others the way you want to be treated” in that we have a responsibility to take care of the environment and take only what we need. These values were also reflected in the conversation of fair financial compensation for individuals working across the food system. [1] https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/seventh-generation-principle Read less

What opportunities do you see to create a more just food system? Indigenous communities face many inequities in the Canadian food system. There are numerous Indigenous communities in Ontario and across Canada that still have boil water advisories and do not have reliable or easy access to safe drinking water. In Northern Canada, food prices are much higher than in the Southern provinces, which makes it very difficult for families to afford food. In addition, some areas in Canada have hunting bans, which prohibit access to traditional hunting grounds and limit the food sovereignty of Indigenous... Read more communities. Participants identified that in order to create a just food system we need to reform our food system to address the inequities that Indigenous communities face. Participants also expressed the need to involve and listen to the voices of Indigenous people in the food system. Food insecurity is often addressed by the use of food charity in Canada. Participants identified that there are areas of improvement in Canada’s food charity system. Individuals can be more comfortable using food charities, such as food banks, when they are certain the organization is non-judgemental and confidential. Food charities also need to be accessible so that individuals can easily locate them and that they are able to access them. Participants identified that some individuals who could benefit from food charities may not access the services because they do not think they fit the criteria or feel shame in accessing the services. To help lessen the negative stigma attached to food charities, the participants suggested these services advertise that they are open to all people without requirements. Food charities also need to have good quality and healthy food available. Participants identified that a barrier to individuals accessing a food charity such as a food bank may be that food is served on a first-come-first-serve basis and people arriving late will get the “ugly-looking” produce. Temporary foreign migrant workers are essential to food and agriculture production in Canada, yet face discriminatory policies. Migrant workers' visas are often tied to their employer therefore employers hold power over job security. This can cause workers to be hesitant to speak up about injustices. Participants identified that it is important for migrant workers to receive “landed status” upon arrival in Canada and for workers to have access to the same rights that any Canadian employee would have. Legislative changes are needed to create equity among the people who work in the production and agriculture sector of our food system. The introduction of Bill 216, Food Literacy for Students Act, 2020 into the Ontario education system in Canada presents an opportunity for curriculum change. Supporting the bill as a youth group would support other youth from grade 1 to 12 to receive food literacy education in the classroom, which currently is not mandated or permanent across the system. The amendment to the current school curriculum states that “Food literacy, including experiential or hands-on skills learned in gardens and kitchens, is critical for making healthy food choices that enable self-reliance and improve human health” in the Food Literacy for Students Act, 2020. The approval of the Act which is currently under-review will help us in applying educational change to youth in Ontario, Canada. Read less

What are the challenges/barriers youth face in food systems in contributing towards food systems that prioritize food justice? Lack of education around food systems in schools is a barrier to Canadian youth getting involved in the food system. Participants commented that in Canadian schools, food systems and agriculture careers are presented as unappealing because they are associated with poverty, lower-class and large investments of time and money. Participants called for schools to provide a robust education on food system careers and how the food system works. Participants identified that o... Read morepportunities to get on the land and hands-on experience in nature or gardens are an important part of building an appreciation for food and the people who work in the food system. In addition, participants noted that taking students out on the land is particularly important for urban and low-income neighbourhoods where the youth may have few other opportunities. The curriculum should also cover social justice issues and exploitation of marginalized communities in the food system, such as foreign temporary migrant workers and Indigenous people. To achieve this, participants suggested that leaders in food system reform, including Indigenous elders, should be consulted during the curriculum revision process. The food system curriculum should be universal instead of being taught by a non-profit so that everyone has the same level of access. Participants identified that it can be daunting to participate in a discussion because often the vocabulary is unfamiliar to people who do not have a formal education regarding the discussion topic, therefore education is key for youth to get involved and participate in the discussion around food systems. Representation is an important aspect of encouraging youth to engage in the food system. Participants commented on seeing few people of colour, women and young people in the food system. In Canada, approximately 2% of the population are farmers and the typical image of farmers are “old white men”. The involvement of youth in agriculture could be increased if youth can “see themselves” in the food system. A fair and equal food system needs to represent the community that is participating in it. Additionally, it was noted that less than 2% of the 2% of farmers in Canada are involved in the National Farmers Union. As this was described as the most progressive farmers union in Canada which supports all the values that Dialogue participants discussed, there must be greater incentives and encouragement for farmers and youth interested in farming to get involved with this union. Unity of people with shared beliefs and power in number is imperative for food system policy changes. Unpaid work is a barrier to youth participating in the food system. Many internships in agriculture and food systems are unpaid, which makes them inaccessible to many students. Unpaid labour can result in “burnout” if students have to financially support themselves while balancing internships, school, and extracurricular activities. It is discouraging for youth who are interested in getting involved if they are not fairly compensated. Furthermore, participants commented that intergenerational wealth is almost a necessity to afford land and start-up costs in Canadian agriculture. In addition, working on farms requires long hours of hard work which is not always compensated with fair wages. It is imperative that youth are compensated fairly for their hard work so that they are able to take part in the food system. Read less

What values should a just food system demonstrate? Diversity was largely emphasized by participants, both in the food we eat and in people who work in the food system. A just food system should provide culturally-appropriate foods that are easy to access, which includes seed sovereignty in order for citizens and farmers to grow their own culturally-appropriate foods. Therefore, food sovereignty is a key contributor to a just food system. Participants agreed that freedom means not relying on (predominantly Westernized) grocery stores for food. People should not need to rely on supermarket chain... Read mores where culturally-relevant foods are sparse and nutritious foods such as fresh produce are expensive relative to cheaper, calorie-dense processed foods. People should be able to grow their own foods in response to the inaccessibility of nutritious foods due to financial or geographic barriers. Additionally, relatively expensive and inaccessible foods, such as whole vegetables and fruits that are recommended by the 2019 Canada’s Food Guide, should be subsidized in order for the food system to reflect accessibility to a nutrient-diverse, healthy range of food for consumers. Diversity in people working within the food system calls for their appreciation, namely towards farmers and temporary foreign migrant workers. The voices of such food system workers, especially marginalized and racialized workers, must be prioritized and listened to for the food system to be just. Participants stated that this can be achieved through a democratic system where workers have a platform for their voices, concerns, and suggestions for improvement. Their voices should be considered when decisions are made regarding the food system and policy, instead of prioritizing the voices of those not directly affected by the food system. Fair compensation, living wages for farmers and food system workers, and land access for farmers are also necessary for a just food system, and can be made more attainable with a democratic system. Appreciation to farmers and food system workers should also be given by consumers. It was also commented that a just food system is one that works parallel to nature and regenerates soil. As soil health is often neglected and is far from a renewable resource, regenerative agriculture should be a primary aim towards a just food system that supports future generations of farming. Read less

Our Independent Summit uncovered the challenges and opportunities faced by youth—the participants and facilitators alike—that could be used to educate and uplift youth contributions to an equitable and sustainable food system in Canada and across the world. Youth face many challenges getting involved in the food system. The most critical barriers that our Independent Dialogue uncovered are lack of food systems education, unpaid work, and underrepresentation of youth in the food system. In Canada, food systems careers and social issues in the food system are not a part of school curriculums... Read more. Youth may not even be aware of the career possibilities and opportunities for involvement. In addition, many internships in agriculture and food systems are unpaid, which makes them inaccessible. Most farms and businesses want 2-3 years of experience for starting positions, but there are limited pathways that are actually accessible to youth. Furthermore, the prevalent image of a farmer in Canada is the “old white man”. Youth need to be able to “see themselves” in the food system in order to be encouraged to take part. The Dialogue also uncovered numerous facilitators that can uplift youth into the food system and identified opportunities for innovation in our institutions. For example, to address the lack of intersectional food systems education in the Canadian school systems, it is crucial to set a curriculum surrounding food literacy and opportunities in the food system. It is also important to provide students with experiences out on the land to build an appreciation for nature and the food system through school gardens or access to urban farms. Grants and bursaries for programs and learning opportunities that expose youth to careers in the food system can help address financial barriers. It is particularly imperative to create programs and mentoring opportunities for BIPOC youth to get involved so that the food systems workforce reflects the diverse make-up of Canada. Combatting whiteness in the food system and greenwashing is critical to ensure we honour all cultures and ways of growing food. In accordance with the sustainable development goals set out by the UN, our Dialogue was also able to highlight areas of improvement for the Canadian food system as a whole. The Dialogue identified opportunities to improve environmental sustainability and equity in the food system. Environmental sustainability involves the system as a whole—to ensure that no harm is being done to the environment. This can be achieved by ensuring the food system is low waste and that individual daily habits demonstrate sustainable practices. Regenerative practices need to be incorporated in agriculture and should be encouraged through government grants and bursaries. Individuals should be encouraged to follow sustainable diets which generate low and decreased food waste. Sustainable diets should be locally sourced, financially accessible and culturally appropriate for all Canadians. A just food system is one where everyone has access to healthy and culturally appropriate foods that are made using fair methods. Many Indigenous communities live in communities with boil water advisories and it is essential to improve their access to safe drinking water. In addition, it is important to create more opportunities for Indigenous food sovereignty. Moreover, there is room to improve the food charity methods we use aimed to address food insecurity, to ensure that individuals are aware of these programs and can access them with dignity. Furthermore, temporary foreign migrant workers face many discriminatory policies despite being essential to Canada’s food production system. Read less

This Independent Dialogue was formed to capture youth voices as young people will inherit the future food system and therefore, youth play a critical role in transforming food systems. This youth-led Dialogue, titled Empowering Youth Food Systems Leaders, focused on food systems issues and how we can support youth to be agents of change in food system transformation. Food systems face plenty of challenges from labour issues, to food waste, to hunger, therefore the need to make food systems more innovative, inclusive, just, and sustainable was identified by dialogue convenors. Two discussion to... Read morepics, convened over two days, were selected as key areas of concern for youth in food systems: Food Justice and Sustainable Food Systems. Food justice needs to be centred in food systems discussions and food system transformation. As youth conveners, we used a food justice lens: acknowledging that several forms of oppression (e.g. racism, colonialism, classism, sexism) have formed and are embedded in our current food system. Food justice is a call to dismantle inequities in the food system. Food injustices are a result of policies, actions, and rules by institutions and systems that hold the most power. Some examples of food injustices are the dispossession of land, hunger as a weapon, prevalence of higher food insecurity rates in Black and Indigenous households, and poor working conditions for migrant food workers. The role of youth in sustainable food systems was also important for this dialogue since the SDGs are yet to be achieved. The youth conveners recognize a food system to be sustainable when it is profitable throughout (economic sustainability), it has broad-based benefits for society (social sustainability), and has a positive or neutral impact on the natural environment (environmental sustainability). Two youth farmers were selected as speakers to inspire dialogue on food justice and sustainability. Speaker 1 presented on and educated participants on food security, food sovereignty, and food justice. Speaker 1 discussed how food intersects with many social issues such as gender inequality, housing, and income. The speaker also emphasized food system inequities, particularly the exclusion of peasant and Indigenous voices in the UN Food Systems Summit 2021. The dialogue convenors also acknowledged this inequity during the planning process. Speaker 2 educated participants on regenerative agriculture and climate change. Speaker 2 discussed climate change as the most pressing issue we are facing as a global community. Agriculture is both impacted by climate change and offers solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Speaker 2 emphasized agroecology and regenerative agriculture as the future of agriculture. However, as sustainable food systems include social, environmental and economic sustainability, the speaker noted that while regenerative agriculture offers many benefits such as improved soil health, plant biodiversity, and carbon sequestration, there are many risks and challenges involved. Farmers may face challenges such as lack of sustainable financing, pests, and consumer demand for a variety of crops. Since empowering youth food systems leaders was the major focus and title of the Dialogue, discussion questions prompted by facilitators for each discussion topic (Food Justice and Sustainable Food Systems) focused on the youth perspective of a just and sustainable food system, identifying barriers and challenges youth face in contributing towards food systems that prioritize food justice and sustainability, and strategies to overcome these barriers and challenges. Read less