In this episode inspired by the “Fair Food in the City” scenario, small-scale producers Jacki Hinchey from Blue Dog Farm, Matt Bakker and Micah Oberon from Neighbourhood Farm, and Phil Garozzo and Alice Star from Loop Growers share their first-hand experiences with recent crises, such as the 2022 floods and the COVID19 pandemic. Our guest speakers explain how their ongoing resilience was possible thanks to the social connections they built with their communities over the years, which played a key role in their recovery and adaptation processes.  

Our guests share their insights on what a truly resilient food system looks like, touching on elements of hyper-localization, direct producer-consumer networks, the role of education about food system dynamics, the need for policies supporting small-scale producers, as well as the essential contribution that regenerative agriculture, permaculture, and agroecology make to agrobiodiversity and soil quality. 

The conversation also brings our guests to demonstrate, from first-hand experience, how resilience is increased through alliances with a broad range of stakeholders across the food system, such as consumers, chefs, activists, academics, agri-food movements, and indigenous peoples, among others. Examples of alliances and networks such as REKO, Young Farmers Connect, and the Moreton Bay Food & Agribusiness Network are described as examples of the possibilities that alliance-building brings for more resilient, sustainable, and fair food systems in Australia. 

Lastly, our guests share down-to-earth advice on how listeners can improve and grow resilience for the future. 

More information about the Fair Food Futures Project and the scenarios for food justice HERE.   

Important links:

Loop Growers 

Neighbourhood Farm 

Blue Dog Farm 

Moreton Bay Food & Agribusiness Network 

REKO Australia 

Young Farmers Connect 

Like and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more updates about fair food systems in Australia 

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The Fair Food Futures project is led by Dr Kiah Smith from The University of Queensland and funded by The Australian Research Council (DE190101126). This podcast is produced by Dr Kiah Smith, Dr Daniel Cruz, Joanna Horton and VMP Studio, and funded by the Future Earth's Pathways Initiative.

Visit our website at: https://fairfoodfutures.com/