Let's talk about the future of food

As the world moves toward the third global food price spike in the last five years, governments, UN agencies, NGOs, farmers and agribusiness are concluding that the global food system is under serious threat and they are struggling to define the solutions that will shape the food future for the planet.

World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim warns that rising food prices are “… threatening the health and well-being of millions of people. Africa and the Middle East are particularly vulnerable, but so are people in other countries where the prices of grains have gone up abruptly.”

Tuesday 16th October is World Food Day and the theme this year is “Agricultural cooperatives – key to feeding the world”.  It highlights the important role of cooperatives in improving food security and contributing to the eradication of hunger.  The message is clearly local! 

Indeed, AFAP and ActionAid programs around the world show that investing in local food economies ensures that communities are more resilient to external shocks like climate change. In Australia, the demand for organic, locally grown produce is outstripping supply as communities recognise the need for local, more sustainable sources of food.

But can localism address the multiple challenges of the global food system? This is the question we pose to our expert discussion panel on Thursday 18th October.  Amidst the photo exhibition “Exposing Hunger: Capturing Solutions” at Tap Gallery, which displays the ingenuity, strength and resilience of Kenyan and Zimbabwean communities fighting poverty and hunger, the panel will discuss "How well placed are local food movements and cooperatives to address the global food crises?"

Moderated by prominent journalist and media personality Tracey Spicer, our international panel of experts are:

Bijay Kumar - Head of International Emergencies, ActionAidBill Pritchard - Economic Geographer and Associate Professor, University of Sydney Julian Lee - General Manager, Food Connect Nobukhosi Ncube - Zimbabwe Shared Futures Project Coordinator accompanying smallholder farmer Sarudzai Nyakusekwa

Delicious, locally sourced produce from Food Connect, will be served up by Rosada's Kitchen.

Attendance is free; please RSVP @http://www.eventbrite.com.au/event/4416788734 by Wednesday 17 October.

We really hope you will care about this discussion as much as you care about your next meal, and hope to see you there!