If you've been following this blog, you know that we've talked a lot about challenges in the food system:
- The food system is predominantly a for-profit system.
- Ongoing corporate control and consolidation mean concentrated power.
- Masked brands engage in deceptive marketing and false perception of choice.
- We need to learn what it means to be a consumer as well as a citizen in the marketplace.
Equal Exchange launched the Action Forum a year ago as a way to engage around these issues on a deeper level. If we want to drive change in the food system, we have to try to understand its history and complexities, and grapple with things like democracy, food justice, and sustainability - together.
The Action Forum community is invited to monthly interactive webinars hosted by Equal Exchange, and this month we're excited to offer a two-part series unpacking who owns what in the food system today.
Oct. 24, 6pm ET - PART ONE: WHO OWNS IT?
The first session will be presented by Dr. Phil Howard, Associate Professor in the Department of Community Sustainability at Michigan State University. We've been lucky to have Phil present in-person to Equal Exchange staff and Action Forum members in past workshops, and we're looking forward to bringing his extensive food system research to Action Forum members virtually. During this webinar, Phil will walk us through the dominant food system trends of uniformity - and what that means for consumers. If you can't tune in for the live presentation, it will be recorded and shared with Action Forum members.
Oct. 30, 2pm & 6pm ET - PART TWO: NOW WHAT?
In part two, the Equal Exchange Action Forum team will lead a discussion to digest the information Phil shared (we know from experience that it can feel overwhelming). Where do we go from here in building a more authentic, fair, diverse supply chain?
We hope you can join us. Here's how:
- If you're not already an Action Forum member, fill out the application here. (It's a simple process!) As a member you'll get access to our online discussion forum, future webinars, and other exclusive content.
- Once you're a member, you'll receive an email invitation to register for the food system webinars.
For more:
-Here's an old (and still relevant) interview with Dr. Phil Howard from our archives: "Who Owns Organic?"
