The term ‘food systems’ refers to interconnected activities involved in the production, processing, distribution, and consumption of food. They are enormously complex and important. And while food systems are now globally influenced, their impacts are invariably local.
The Pacific region’s crop diversity and sustainably managed tuna fishery are major contributors to the global food system but micro-nutrient deficiencies and the staggeringly high rate of non-communicable diseases in the region are direct outcomes of a regional food system in transition from one based on locally sourced and grown crops and catch, to one based largely on processed foods.
Add in the impacts of climate change, sea level rise, droughts, loss of biodiversity, the poor quality of small island soils and limited access to fresh water and you have local food systems that are especially precarious.
The Pacific Community’ Food Systems Flagship Programme is taking a long-term systemic and interconnected approach to understand, protect, and strengthen the Pacific Food System and ensure a future where everyone in the region is food secure and well nourished by a resilient and equitable food system.
Here are three of the many ways the Pacific Community (SPC), supported by the Australian Government, is working towards this goal together.