Occupy Wall Street.
Occupy the Food System.
Last week Sienna Chrisman posted a great piece on the Civil Eats blog describing recent happenings in the food system: food speculation driving up food costs, land grabs, and the consolidation of the food industry throughout the entire food chain. In her piece, “Why the Food Movement Should Occupy Wall Street,” Chrisman makes an argument that the food justice movement should link up to the Occupy Wall Street movement because both struggles beg the question, “how do we bring about fundamental change?”
“All along the food chain, people are squeezed by powerful corporations: Walmart demands low prices from its suppliers, so the suppliers cut wages for workers in the factories and fields; most food stores rely on a single national buyer, so it is almost impossible for small producers to get products onto the shelves; supermarket chains buy out the competition and then close the only store in a low-income neighborhood.”
A week later, the Huffington Post published an article by Eric Holt Gimenez, Executive Director of Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy, entitled, “Occupy the Food Movement!” arguing that it is time for those of us concerned about delivering the supply of healthy food to get more political and fight for needed policy changes that keep power in the hands of agribusiness.
Both articles highlight the need for structural change, not just market solutions. Ultimately both are needed. We need folks on the ground, in the trenches, working to build models for alternative supply chains that emphasize small farmer, local, and co-operative business structures. We also need food justice activists who are organizing to change policies, such as the U.S. Farm Bill and unfair Free Trade bills such as the ones with Colombia, Panama, and Korea, that unfortunately were just approved by Congress.
The Fair Trade system was created as a movement that works on the ground, with farmer organizations, progressive, independent food stores, consumer co-operatives, and Alternative Trade Organizations, to create a new model. Not only was the idea to provide healthy food through an independent supply chain, but the theory was that once organized, farmer organizations would also be better able to effect broader economic and political changes in their communities. Through practical, concrete actions, we built a system rooted in good business practices, as well as broader economic development and social justice strategies.
The key in all of this is transformation. Let’s not lose sight of our original vision. Occupy Fair Trade.
Cartoon by John Klossner. Copywrite 2011
Occupy Fair Trade! Occupy Boston has arranged a series of “Free School University” teach-ins. How about a Fair Trade/International Trade issues teach-in?
The Free School University doesn’t organize… they provide a space and promotion for individuals/working groups/organizations, etc who want to organize teach-ins and forums. If you have the initiative… look at the schedule, find a free time, contact the FSU, and set up a Fair Trade / International Trade teach-in: http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/FSU.
I feel for greater legitimacy purposes, we must distinguish our movement from the Occupy movement. Many of the principles that are hindering our progression toward a more sustainable food system are the same that Occupy participants feel are holding them back from their shot at ‘the dream’.
However, a more sustainable food system is a do or die situation, unlike some of the issues that Occupy is stressing.