In this episode of the Fair Food Futures podcast we begin our journey alongside leaders of civic food networks in Australia, learning from them how they uphold intersectional solidarity and care practices in their work. This episode brings together three examples of how the “Long Table” scenario identified by the Fair Food Futures project can look like in practice.
Francis Nona and Dr Preetha Thomas, from the UQ Reconciliation Garden, explain how the garden aims to promote the voices of First Nations peoples and embed indigenous food knowledges within the public and academic discourse, while providing a safe space for First Nations students and community members.
Dr Daniel Cruz from the Green Pea Community Farm talks about the community building and partnership-building strategies they employ to facilitate the empowerment of the 61 refugees of the community farm, who come from Bhutanese , Solomon Islands, and Karen backgrounds primarily.
Susannah Holmes, from Your Farm, narrates the story of how this community-based organisation succeeded in establishing a spray-free farm in the middle of a racecourse, as well as a veggie distribution network at Deagon.
Our guests speak about the deeper meanings of food (e.g.: spiritual, cultural), based on their experiences working in partnership with First Nations, grassroots, and refugee communities. They discuss the encounters with marginalisation experienced by these communities in their interaction with the food system and describe how their initiatives have promoted ways of caring between the members and supporters of these projects.
Finally, our guests reflect on the key role that intersectional strategic alliance building plays in the transformation of the food system, and share their lessons and advice to progress a fairer food future that is more inclusive.
More information about the Fair Food Futures Project and the scenarios for food justice HERE.
UQ Reconciliation Garden: https://public-health.uq.edu.au/article/2022/06/indigenous-heritage-and-flora-flourishing-uq-reconciliation-garden
Green Pea Community Farm ABC’s documentary and associated pages:
https://www.sandbag.org.au/visit-green-p-farm/
https://www.facebook.com/greenpfarmdeagon
Your Farm Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/yourfarm.4017
Article: “3 ways community gardens often exclude migrants and refugees — and how to turn this around”
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The Fair Food Futures project is led by Dr Kiah Smith from The University of Queensland and funded by The Australian Research Council (DE190101126). This podcast is produced by Dr Kiah Smith, Dr Daniel Cruz, Joanna Horton and VMP Studio, and funded by the Future Earth's Pathways Initiative.
Visit our website at: https://fairfoodfutures.com/