Invitation to Review: Draft Strategic Framework for Food Systems Resilience

Date: Feb 6, 2023 | Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Process Energy and Environmental Technology Station (PEETS), Research

Food 4 Rebuilding: Strategy to Build Food Systems Resilience.

The Covid-19 Pandemic, floods and droughts, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and civil unrest have all negatively impacted the South African food system and left South Africans in an even deeper state of food insecurity.

The crises have disrupted food value chains, severely impacting the distribution of food. Many vulnerable households became more food insecure as disruptions reduced food availability and accessibility. Food-related livelihoods across the food system – from production via processing, distribution to retail – were compromised.

The multiple shocks and stressors have emphasised the need to act urgently to instill resilience and equity within the South African food system so it is better able to withstand future crises. Shocks and stressors rarely happen in isolation, always impacting the wider food system. Learning from and adapting to crises is crucial to achieve food security, to protect livelihoods and to ensure environmental sustainability.

In light of this, in 2022, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) commissioned ICLEI Africa to conduct a study to offer insight into these disruptions and inform the development of inclusive, resilient and sustainable food systems. Whilst the focus will be rebuilding two provincial economies, those of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng (GP), the project will inform food systems resilience planning on a national level.

The project provides an in-depth understanding of the challenges experienced by vulnerable groups and how disruptions in the South African food system exacerbate existing challenges. A draft strategic framework to guide policy interventions towards a resilient, equitable and sustainable food system is now up for review. ICLEI Africa has partnered with the Food Imbizo to offer a platform for an inclusive review of the framework.

You are invited to an interactive workshop to discuss the draft strategy, identify any gaps it may have and provide recommendations to strengthen it. Please find the Draft Strategy attached and prepare your recommendations.

Date: Monday, 13 February 2023
Time: 10:30-12:30
Place: Online Zoom Meeting