The current AFSA committee is made up of small-scale farmers and other people who are engaged in the food system. Photo: AFSA.
The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance is inviting people involved in the food system at any level – including First Peoples, farmers, eaters, hospitality workers and policymakers – to help shape the future of Australia’s food movement at their annual convergence.
Food sovereignty asserts the right of peoples to nourishing and culturally appropriate food produced and distributed in ecologically sound and ethical ways and their right to collectively determine their own food and agriculture systems.
The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance (AFSA) is a not-for-profit, farmer-led organisation that aims to grow the agroecology and food sovereignty movements in Australia. In October, it is leading a series of on-farm dialogues and town-hall events in regional New South Wales and Queensland, and the ACT to hear from local food and farming communities. The penultimate event on this tour is the Annual National Food Sovereignty Convergence, which will be held this year in Bermagui, ahead of a final town hall event which will be held at Canberra Food Co-op on 21 October.
Convergence, like all of AFSA’s events, will be structured as an ‘un-conference’ that aims to promote democratic participation from all attendees. Convergence is an opportunity for the organisation to set an agenda for the coming year based on the priorities of its members.
The ‘un-conference’ style of Convergence encourages equal participation and robust discussion. Photo: AFSA.
AFSA Vice President and Moruya resident Eliza Cannon told Region that small-scale farmers across the country share similar concerns.
“We’re hearing that people are concerned about successive climate disasters and the impacts they will have in the future. There’s also concern around a lack of government support and opportunity for small-scale farmers to access the same resources as larger businesses while at the same time being subject to unscaled regulations that will have a greater financial impact on small businesses,” she said.
Another widespread concern is reduced access to vital infrastructure like abattoirs, flour mills, dairy processors and food hubs for small-scale producers.
In Moruya, the community is working on a solution to keep a local business in local hands.
“Southlands has been a locally owned greengrocer for 40 years, and it’s been a pillar of support for small-scale vegetable growers in the area. The business is now up for sale, so there’s a risk that whoever buys it won’t have the same support for local growers,” Ms Cannon said.
“The community is looking at buying the business to turn it into a member-owned co-operative.”
A recent meeting about the project saw over 140 locals attend, and there’s now agreement for a working group to move forward to plan the governance and operation of the business.
“AFSA advocates for communities who are taking action to build resilient local food networks. This community-driven plan for Southlands to become a co-op is a prime example of food sovereignty in action on a local scale.”
The underlying principles of Agroecology will be discussed as part of the Agroecology Roadshow. Photo: AFSA.
Convergence will take place over two days at The Crossing Land near Bermagui. Friday’s un-conference will be a dynamic discussion where attendees can address key issues, share strategies and map out actions for AFSA to take in the year ahead. AFSA members will also provide updates about ongoing projects such as the NSW Legal Guide for Producers, the Peoples’ Food Plan and the Agrarian Trust. This campaign will secure the future of agricultural land. Saturday’s activities will include the AGM for AFSA.
“The aim of the event is to talk about real, actionable steps for building a stronger, more resilient food movement in Australia,” said Eliza.
“We want to encourage anybody who has a passion for strengthening local food systems to come along, especially First Nations people who feel like their voices haven’t been heard by food industries, farmers, eaters and anyone interested in strengthening communities through collectivisation.”
Find out more about AFSA’s Agroecology Roadshow and buy a ticket for Convergence, which will be held on 18 and 19 October at The Crossing Land, Bermagui. Follow AFSA on Facebook or Instagram.
Lucy Ridge is a volunteer member of the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance National Committee.
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