Agronomy and Horticulture Department
Date of this Version
2020
Citation
Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (2020) 44(9): 1,118–1,123
doi: 10.1080/21683565.2020.1775752
Abstract
The current COVID-19 pandemic has brought attention to challenges associated with our dominant industrial food system in the U.S. The general public now has more appreciation for farm workers and meatpacking employees, as well as those in grocery stores and in food transportation who are suddenly recognized as essential frontline workers. It apparently takes a crisis for us to focus clearly on the fragility of this system and the lives of people on whom we depend. In this commentary we discuss the definition of food sovereignty, how it manifests in urban areas, and how the COVID-19 pandemic can trigger viable responses to increase urban food sovereignty. While recognizing and appreciating the value of trade and comparative advantages of some regions with long seasons to produce food for others, there is strong reason to explore the potentials of local and urban production and governance to avoid serious impacts of unexpected interruptions in the world order.
Included in
Agricultural and Resource Economics Commons, Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Environmental Policy Commons, Environmental Public Health Commons, Other Nutrition Commons, Sustainability Commons, Virus Diseases Commons
Comments
Copyright © 2020, Taylor and Francis. Used by permission