There is a growing recognition that existing agri-food systems, dominated by corporate interests and neoliberal policies, are working against the environment, health, and well-being of the people.
Consequently, continuous efforts are needed to build mechanisms that enable sustainable, just, and inclusive transitions. Various national and international agencies are experimenting with improving food production, promoting sustainable and healthy consumption, and a combination of both. Worldwide, farm-to-school programs remain one of the most popular approaches in this regard.
In this seminar, Dr Poonam Pandey will focus on the case of ecological canteens or Ecocomedores from the Las Palmas region of Canary Islands in Spain.
In the Ecocomedores program, government agencies have mobilised innovative approaches to enable sustainable production and consumption. While the project started in 2010 with the twin aim of supporting agroecology and healthy school lunches, its success has been constrained by limited interest from schools and ecological farmers. A mismatch of expectations has translated into livelihood challenges for farmers and lack of access to adequate ecological food for the school canteens.
Drawing from social constructivist and feminist STS, Dr Pandey will explore how policy-makers, farmers, school chefs, and administrators frame the challenges associated with Ecocomedores.
Dr Pandey will also explore what these actors consider as the most relevant component of a ‘good’ school lunch, and innovative solutions proposed to overcome challenges. The analysis directs the speaker to the problematic space of neoliberal and capitalist systems where agri-food transitions are unfolding.
To ensure that these transitions are inclusive and just, public policies need to critically reflect on the basic assumptions behind techno-managerial approaches that currently shape farm-to-school programs.
Speaker
Dr Poonam Pandey is a Senior Research Fellow at the Post Growth Innovation Lab, University of Vigo, Spain.
Chair
Lidia Cabral, IDS Research Fellow
How to watch
You can attend in person, or you can register to watch online on Zoom.
Accessibility
This event will take place in the IDS Room 220 on the 2nd floor of the IDS Building. If you need to use a lift then press floor 2.
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