Our Food System & Empire

Plan for Tonight Our food system: at home &

abroad

The concept of “Empire”

Consider parallels between them

Evaluate the strengths and limitations of the “Empire Lens”

Tips for finding alternatives

Evaluation

Our relationship to food Our relationship to food says a lot about ussays a lot about us

Canadians spend < $100 billion at grocery stores & restaurants / year.

On average, we spend a total of 46 minutes each day cooking & eating.

800,000 Canadians use food banks each month. 1/3 are employed.

½ of food banks in rural areas.

Canadians eat fast food 3 - 4 times a week (twice while driving).

Everything is on the Everything is on the rise...butrise...but

Prices

Production

Revenue

Exports

Output / acre

Output / farmer

Net Farm Income: 1926-2005

the Agri-Food Chain the Agri-Food Chain

in Canadain CanadaUPSTREAM

9 companies control the chemical & seed sectors.

3 companies control the farm machinery sector.

87% of nitrogen fertilizer in Canada is produced by 3 companies.

the Agri-Food Chain the Agri-Food Chain

in Canadain CanadaDownstream

89% of cattle slaughter & processing is in the hands of 3 corporations.

Four companies mill most of the flour in Canada.

Six companies control food retail in Canada. Does this reflect your

experience?

...And a quick look ...And a quick look at the Global Southat the Global South

Ranching in Brazil 70% of formerly forested land in the Amazon is used for cattle grazing.

It is also used to grow soy. Brazil #2 exporter of soy Cargill controls most soya

production & is the main supplier to fast food chains.

2000-2005: an area just smaller than Lake Winnipeg disappeared / year.

Almost 1/5 is gone.

Testimony fromTestimony from our partners in our partners in

HaitiHaitiFarming in Haiti Jewel of the Caribbean in

1492. Today only 2% covered by forests

Farmers have < 1 hectare of land.

Colonization deforestation for export (sugar, cotton, coffee, wood)

Free trade dumping: rice production fell by 25%.

ResultsResults Every week 1.3

million people around the world leave their farms to find work.

The majority of the one billion people on the planet who are chronically hungry are farmers.

Discussion Question Discussion Question II

How would you describe this interconnected food system?

EmpireEmpireWhat comes to mind What comes to mind when you think of when you think of Empire?Empire?

What do you think What do you think is Empire?is Empire?

The Unfinished Wheel

CORE

PERIPHERY

A Definition of A Definition of Empire?Empire?

“Empire is the convergence of economic, political, cultural, geographic and military imperial interests, systems and networks that seek to dominate political power and economic wealth. It typically forces and facilitates the flow of wealth and power from vulnerable persons, communities and countries to the more powerful.”

Discussion Question Discussion Question II: Making the II: Making the

ConnectionConnection

Do you see similarities between our food system & these definitions of Empire?

““Empire Lens”Empire Lens”as a Toolas a Tool

To help increase our ability to do complex analysis of systems.

Can be applied to different domains: food, consumerism, militarism.

The focus is the impact of systems on people.

We can see more...We can see more...

...when we change ...when we change lenseslenses

Discussion Discussion Questions IIIQuestions III

What things can the empire lens help us see better?

What things are we likely to overlook now?

What are some of the strengths of the Empire lens?

What are some of its limitations?

Signs of HopeSigns of Hope“To locate ourselves in spaces of hope is to

begin working beyond Empire. It is to create life-giving alternatives for everyone.… But for this faith to become reality we cannot wait for time to pass and for the governing powers to fall by themselves. It is necessary to begin to demonstrate in our perceptions, relationships, and communities that another world is possible; that other ways of living bring dignity and plenitude…through the extension of alternate symbols and lifeways, of which we are heirs.”Nestor Miguez, Living Faithfully in the Midst of Empire, General Council 2006

Stories of HopeStories of Hopein Haitiin Haiti

“Economy of Solidarity”: Coops Fair-trade arrangements

Micro-credit & Pass-along schemes.

Creating conditions for community collaboration.

Education for environmental protection & political action.

Looking for Looking for Alternatives HereAlternatives Here

Focusing on one aspect of Empire can make the task more manageable.

Remembering we are many.

Telling our own stories.

What alternatives exist near you now?

What alternatives can we help create?

Thank you &Thank you &EvaluationEvaluation

Usefulness of the content

Clarity

Medium

Inclusiveness

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