What does food sovereignty mean?

Food sovereignty refers to the right of communities, peoples, and countries to define their own agricultural and food policies, prioritize local food production, and secure access to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods. It emphasizes the importance of local control over food systems, enabling communities to make decisions about their food sources, production, and consumption.

By focusing on community control, food sovereignty advocates for the ability to protect local food systems from outside influences and economic pressures. This involves ensuring that local farmers and producers have the resources and support necessary to grow food that meets the community’s needs, rather than being wholly dependent on global markets or multinational corporations. This concept also ties into issues of land rights, environmental justice, and cultural preservation, promoting a holistic approach to food systems that respects local traditions and practices.