Food Democracy
The mainstream food system and supply chain is unfair and unsustainable. Decisions and profits are taken by a handful of large companies driving down prices and maximising profits at the expense of farmers, local communities & the environment. Our current unsustainable food system has turned us into a nation of passive consumers in a top down system from which we expect unlimited 'choice' but over which we have little control.
Food democracy is about reconnecting people to food and taking responsibility for it, ensuring control by and fairness among local producers, suppliers and consumers, and working to reduce inequality in the food supply chain.
Leading by Example:
2011 sees the start of Manchester Veg People a new collective of local organic growers and buyers. The idea is to bring together organic producers with Greater Manchester's caterers, increasing understanding and therefore fairness in the food supply chain, and making small-scale organic production more resilient.
The group will offer the most locally produced organic fruit and veg to Manchester - food that is seasonal, low carbon and, because the prices will cover the real cost of production, it'll be the fairest veg in town!