“Food from Somewhere” – A global report makes the case for building food security and resilience with the help of small producers, agroecology and local food systems

What are ‘Territorial Markets’?

‘Non-capitalist markets’ is the shortest definition given. The longer version reads like a list of the benefits such markets bring: “‘Closer to home’ (local and regional), webs of food provisioning that are largely or fully outside of corporate chains, and characterized by shorter food chains as a key mode of organization (…) Spaces where relationships are built (…). Markets/systems that involve smallholders and other small-scale actors (e.g., traders, transporters, processors) in positions of significant autonomy, and characterized by diversity”. The list goes on.

According to the report such markets contribute to food security, as “over 70% of the world’s population is fed by small scale food producers and workers in ‘peasant food webs’”. They help small scale growers and producers to diversify and make a living. In many countries they allow women to earn an income. And they boost biodiversity and enhance climate-resilience. “Sitting alongside and overlapping with agroecology, ‘territorial food systems and markets’ provide a useful shorthand for resilience-building food provisioning webs outside of corporate chains”.

Why aren’t Territorial Markets everywhere?

Because there are a gazillion things that prevent that from happening. From closures, evictions and “other forms of violent discrimination” to lack of funding for the necessary infrastructure on and off farm, lack of storage space, cooling systems and processing capacity, lack of training and information, to lack of communications technology infrastructure. In many regions “health, hygiene, and certification standards are developed according to the norms of industrial food systems, and (…) often shaped by large corporations themselves”, such corporations often “appropriating terms like ‘local’ or ‘family farmer’ and the positive qualities associated with them. And let’s not forget global trade rules and the growing perception that food should be cheap.

What can be done?

Lots apparently. A graphic illustrates the wish list: “Curb corporate power over food systems. Shift subsidies towards infrastructure & networks for territorial markets. Put resilient local food networks at the heart of planning for future shocks. Use state purchasing & public procurement to support local small-scale producers. Link social and anti-hunger services to the markets serving low-income communities. Build shared visions across movements for resilient markets & food systems”. The tools to do all that? Networking, changing funding priorities to “access to subsidies, credits, investment and insurance (…) scale appropriate infrastructure” and training. The list goes on: strengthening collaboration and connection, improved governance and “curb the ability of corporations to shape food systems and diets” for example by “leveraging antitrust/competition policy”.

“And I want a hamster that eats my sprouts.”

When I went through this list of proposals I was reminded of that line in an ad for a British supermarket chain some years ago. It’s not as if no one has thought about this before. Take antitrust policy. The US Senator Amy Klobuchar has written a whole book[1] about US antitrust legislation and why corporations are still getting bigger, richer and more powerful. Take the enormous lobbying power corporations yield at government level, they can make or break politicians not just in the US. Who is to take this on? NGOs? Academics? Private citizens? Local officials? All of them can and already do.

The opportunities and challenges in each country differ vastly, they may even differ within a country, depending on location and circumstances. There cannot be a global blueprint.

The report mentions positive examples, such as Barcelona having 39 public food markets, with the city being a major funder. Nice to know and well done Barcelona.

But what if the experts on the panel had used the input from over 100 countries to examine examples where territorial markets were successfully established? What were the existing parameters, who was involved and in what capacity, which strategies worked? Such analysis could be a starting point for those hoping to change the food system in their region – to get ideas, feel inspired and find others who share their goals and are willing to put in the work. If that’s what you are looking for: By all means read the report – but then come to the Terra Madre conference in September in Turin to hear about solutions, meet like minded people and get stuck in once you get home.

Marianne Landzettel, journalist writing and blogging about food, farming and agricultural policies in the UK and the rest of the EU, the US and South Asia.

@M_Landzettel

[1] Amy Klobuchar: Anti Trust. Taking on Monopoly Power from the Gilded Age to the Digital Age. Vintage 2022