keyword – Fernanda Díaz-Osorio

“Food security” is enjoying physical and economic access to reliable sources of sustenance. The safe and non-exploitative nature of a food source is integral to its role in “food security.” Non-exploitative access to food requires alignment with cultural and physiological preferences of a community as well as control over food sources on a community level. This is a condition of having “food security” more so than externally provided or selected food sources. Access to nutrition is a universal need and right of every community and individual, making this a vital consideration when examining indigenous history and relations with colonial occupations. “Food security” can be considered to exist when all people in a community have access to safe and reliable foods whenever necessary.

Pinstrup-Anderson describes food security as meaning “that enough food is available, whether at the global, national, community, or household level” (5). They also make reference to a definition that was created at the World Food Summit in 1996: “food security exists when all people at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for a healthy and active life” (5). They highlight that people with equal access to food could show different levels of food security, due to having different food preferences (5).

The 2009 Bolivian constitution recognizes both the human rights to water and food; and potable water, sanitation, irrigation and small-scale agriculture are all deemed important. In reality, tensions between water for agriculture, urban use, mining and industry abound and often get in the way of ensuring the water and food security of indigenous and poorer populations (Mehta, 1).

Works Cited:

Pinstrup-Andersen, P. “Food security: definition and measurement”. Food Sec. 1, 5–7 (2009). https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/10.1007/s12571-008-0002-y

Mehta, L., Oweis, T., Ringler, C., Schreiner, B., Varghese, S. Water for Food Security, Nutrition and Social Justice, 2019. 1st ed., London: Routledge, https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/10.4324/9781351747622

Entry by: Cynthia, Fernanda, Natalia, Ili with minor revisions by Tamara ????

This is not my first food-related class, and it would definitely not be the last one. It was hard for me to choose from all the words that were analyzed, but I decided to talk about “Food systems” as it can encompass all the other terms in one way or another.

I was first introduced to the Food Systems concept in my first year at university. I mean, I am in the Faculty of Land and FOOD SYSTEMS. You may or may not be surprised to learn that everyone in my faculty must take LFS 100, LFS 250, and LFS 350, classes that teach us about food systems in BC and worldwide. Dr. William Valley, my professor for two of those classes, challenged my way of thinking. He introduced me to system thinking, wicked problems and to approach food more holistically.

I used to think about food systems as a linear process. However, food systems are everything but linear. The more I study food, the more I realize how complex it can be. Reading the food systems definition, I was surprised to see that waste management was not included. I think that studying food waste is as important as analyzing food production and distribution. Mostly when 35% of our food is being wasted.

I could keep talking about food systems all night long, but instead of stating what I have learned in my previous classes. I started thinking as well about all the things I haven’t yet explore. I grew up in Oaxaca, which is one of the poorest states in Mexico, one with the highest numbers of Indigenous communities, and known in Mexico for its food. I have known these facts for a long time, but I haven’t taken the time to think about the connection between them. This is not my first food class, but my first Indigenous studies class, and I can’t wait to keep learning.

Picture 1 – Duo de moles – Zandunga, Oaxaca, Mexico

Picture 2 – Quesillo, Chapulines, y emoladas, El Coronita, Oaxaca, Mexico

Picture 3 – Esquite, La Calle, Oaxaca, Mexico

Tag: keyword

Keyword 1: Food Security

Blog 3 – Keyword Reflection (Food systems) – Oaxaca