Food Solutions New England

"Without proper safeguards, these ('nature-based solutions') could lead to adverse outcomes, particularly for smallholder farmers. While capital is necessary to transition agricultural practices to more sustainable forms of land management, concerns arise that investment by corporate banks and funds could lead to consolidation of power, wealth, and control over farmland and its ecological assets. (...) To address these concerns (...) a critical approach to analyzing the emerging investment landscape in agriculture must be taken." Read and download the "From Extraction to Regeneration: A Just Transition Approach to Financing Climate Resilience in the Food System" issue from FSNE at https://lnkd.in/e36-G3Rb

Don't forget what is being fought for - everyone deserves to experience joy! Enjoy these moments of joy in the food system from the past few weeks. There are nearly 100 entries from folks across the New England region, country, and world! Check them all out and add your own at https://lnkd.in/eFn9AywY

"Informal ‘policies’ in agrarian or hunter-gatherer food cultures were often – and sometimes continue to be – based on values of solidarity and reciprocity. (...) This resulted in social safety networks that ensured access to food and water for current as well as future generations." https://lnkd.in/eGH-_BFk

"Whether it's light or dark meat, Sydney said, she likes knowing where it came from and taking responsibility for killing it herself. Growing up hunting, she continued, helped her see the cycle of life and value meat in a society she called "highly disconnected" from its food sources." Food, conservation, sovereignty, land access, education - they're all wrapped up together.

Protecting biodiversity through healthy forest management is an important aspect of any future building. A thriving food system depends on a whole host of species and adopting an integrated approach to justly stewarding the land that makes it possible for all to live. Read more about biodiversity of forestry from New England Forestry Foundation at https://lnkd.in/eTmDdXmd

"In the realm of food systems and planetary health, innovation often emerges from unexpected places." Read more about the gathering hosted by Conscious Food Systems Alliance and The Garrison Institute from UVM Institute for Agroecology and FSNE at: https://lnkd.in/evdjBhHd

A shared community meal, cherry pies, and the view from a working landscape. Food imbues joy into the world at every twist and turn. Take in all the mapping joy submissions and add your own at https://lnkd.in/eFn9AywY

Apple picking, farms dogs, and dancing! Enjoy these few moments of joy from the food system from the past few months. Relish all the Mapping Joy in the Food Systems submissions and add your own at https://lnkd.in/eFn9AywY

"In reflection on these insights from the FSRC Summit, several key implications emerge for food systems researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. There is an acute need to: - Embrace community-based participatory research methods to ensure research is relevant, equitable, and actionable. - Prioritize equity and lived experience in all food systems initiatives, from research design to policy implementation, especially for those who have been subjected to discrimination. - Invest in regional governance structures and projects that can bridge local and national efforts while fostering a sense of shared identity and purpose. - Critically examine and strategically shape narratives about food systems, with a focus on those that drive structural transformation. - Use institutional procurement as a lever for broader food system transformation, addressing issues of land equity, conservation, and economic development. - Develop integrated approaches that combine community-based participatory research, regional governance, equity-focused initiatives, and powerful narratives to drive systemic change. Embracing these and integrated approaches will allow the work towards food systems that are more resilient and sustainable as well as just and equitable for all to flourish." Read the full write up from Karen Nordstrom, Policy Program Co-Director, FSNE.

Volunteering, berries, and stories - oh my! Bask in these wonderful Mapping Joy in the Food Systems submissions, view the full map, and add your own at https://lnkd.in/eFn9AywY #MappingJoy #MappingJoyintheFoodSystem