Week 4: Readings

It was very intriguing to learn of the following trends and tendencies at play within our corporate food regime and food movements:

• The Neoliberal trend supports the idea that “hunger can be eradicated by expanding global markets and by increasing output through technological innovation. This trend reinforces a model of chronic overproduction and the corporate monopolization of the food system” (Holt-Gimenez, 2011). For some reason I was surprised to see that the USAID was listed as one of the governments that supported this trend. 

• The Reformist trend seeks to “mainstream less inequitable and less environmentally damaging alternatives into existing market structures” (Holt-Gimenez, 2011). The goal for this trend is to modify industrial behaviors through the “power of persuasion and consumer choice” (Holt-Gimenez, 2011). Many humanitarian and food banks are established in this trend because they are dependent upon government agricultural surplus.

• The Progressive trend is based in the concept of “citizen empowerment” and incites a “gradual, grassroots-driven transition, or passage, to a more equitable and sustainable food system” (Holt-Gimenez, 2011). This trend represents “smallholders seeking support for organic agriculture and family farming over corporate agriculture and genetically-modified organisms (GMOS)” (Holt-Gimenez, 2011). This trend is supported by local initiatives and Food Policy Councils.

• The Radical trend seeks “the radical transformation of food systems addresses the root causes of poverty and hunger in the food system, based on the notion of entitlement to food-producing resources and redistribution of wealth” (Holt-Gimenez, 2011).

Reading these trends confirms the need for us to take a more reflexive approach to our food system.  This view “works within an awareness of the tensions between different definitions of justice, environmental and bodily health, and good food, while admitting that localist strategies are imperfect and contradictory” (E. Melanie Dupuis, et al., 2011). 

Now understanding how our food system is imperfect and fluid, it automatically draws my thoughts to the disparities found within the Tallahassee food system and what are probable ways to address them. Frenchtown, which was a food desert that previously lacked resources, such as, the Frenchtown Heritage market and the Dunn Street Farm (iGrow), is an example of a change that has occurred through grassroots efforts. What will it take to see similar changes and resources provided on the Southside of town? I’m currently unaware of any food justice initiatives that have taken root. Could the implementation of a Food Policy Council that consists of Tallahassee residents, especially individuals that reside on the Southside, city and county personnel, local businesses, farmers and gardeners address the root causes of poverty and hunger? Even though this inequality issue affects the Southside of town, this is an issue that should involve all Tallahassee residents.