Food Sovereignty

Fall Quarter 2015:

Building the Food Sovereignty Movement and Creating a Solidarity Economy

Panelists share their insights and experiences of transforming food systems and economies in Latin America and the U.S.

Presenters:
  • Eric Holt-Giménez, Executive Director of Food First
  • Cecosesola Cooperative members–Darwin Salas, Yadira Oliveros, Herlinda Giménez, and Roberto Pérez– from Barquistimeto, Venezuela

 

 

Inequality Town Hall small
 Eric Holt-Giménez spoke about his work with Latin American and U.S. farmers to create sustainable food systems.

Members of CECOSESOLA discussed their internationally known 50-year old worker-owned cooperative, the network of cooperative enterprises they have developed, including cooperative farms, food distribution centers, neighborhood clinics and a hospital, and their vision of a solidarity economy which has created non-hierarchical mechanisms for planning and decision-making while meeting community needs.

Resources:

Impact and Effect:

“It was really powerful to hear the stories and insights of the cooperative. Within the group of member-owners there is a significant amount of time spent building relationships and listening to everyone’s voice. I found this inspiring and challenging to consider the implementation in other regions. I am grateful for the ways my thinking was expanded and insights into a different model of co-existing with others in a meaningful way”. -Evergreen Student Participant

“There was a thought-provoking comment from one of the members of the cooperative who said ‘It is hard to work without a boss because you have to give up your own privilege’. I am struck by the power and challenge of relinquishing your privilege for the sake of the good of all”. -Evergreen Student Participant

Sponsors:

  • President’s Diversity Fund
  • Center for Community-Based Learning and Action
  • Evergreen Fund for Innovation
  • Deans’ Match

Participating Programs:

Faculty:
Programs:
Anne Fischel, Michi Thacker and Grace Huerta Local Knowledge: Building Just and Sustainable Communities
Martha Rosemeyer and Donald Morisato  Ecological Agriculture: Crop Botany and Plant Genetics
 Sarah Williams, Steven Scheuerell and Abir Biswas  Terroir: Chocolate, Oysters and other place-flavored foods
 Alice Nelson, Savvina Chowdhury and Therese Saliba  Reinterpreting Liberation: Third World Movements and Migrations