Being a refugee is rarely a brief, temporary situation. Urban agriculture and greening innovation can provide sovereignty, empowerment, and dignity in crisis. We spoke with the Lemon Tree Trust, a UKK nonprofit working in refugee camps across the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Family Farming
Mondelēz International’s Cocoa Life Program Promises Farmers a Sweeter Deal
The world’s largest chocolate company sets the standard for corporate sustainability in food, targeting 100-percent sustainably-sourced cocoa.
Food Fight: the Battle Over Sri Lankan Food Production
Once known as ‘the granary of the East’, Sri Lanka’s food production has suffered over recent decades, with civil war, natural disaster, and failed policy all contributing to a fall in domestic food production and a rise in imports. In 2016, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena published an ambitious three-year agricultural plan to build a ‘toxin-free nation.’ The plan reimagines the country’s agricultural future based on the principles of agroecology: an approach which prioritizes sustainable and people-centered practices over corporate profit.
18 Veterans Programs Feeding the Food Movement
This Veteran’s Day, Food Tank brings you 18 organizations and initiatives from around the U.S. that are working to help veterans transition to healthy, productive civilian lives through farming and agriculture.
Sundari Kraft: “People eat more veggies when they take part in gardening”
How Sundari Kraft is changing the Denver food system and cleaning up food swamps through education, grassroots movement building, and policy change.
19 Farm-to-School Initiatives Making an Impact
To celebrate national Farm-to-School Month, Food Tank has compiled a list of 19 unique, innovative, and effective farm-to-school programs from around the globe.
Family Farms Will Feed Farm Aid Concert
Farm Aid’s concert food will “reflect an authentic representation of Western Pennsylvania’s food culture” to connect farmers and eaters and promote family farming.
Justin Kamine: “Society needs to move toward the notion of a circular economy”
Justin Kamine, Co-Founder and Partner of KDC Ag, believes looking to nature to form large scale infrastructure solutions is the quickest and most effective way eliminate food waste.
Loren Cardeli: “Agriculture got us here, and agriculture can also save us”
Loren Cardeli, Founder and President of A Growing Culture (AGC), has worked closely with smallholder farmers around the world and helps consumers to reevaluate how their relationships with farmers.
Brian Roe: “Shop your fridge first!”
Brian Roe spoke to Food Tank about the potential gains from food waste reduction: improving local and global food security, improving our stewardship of natural resources and the environment, and improving the economic efficiency of farms, businesses, and households.
Two Farmer Cooperatives in Arkansas are Helping Fight Food Insecurity One Farmer at a Time
Two farmer cooperatives in Arkansas, New South Co-op and Grassroots Co-op, are helping fight food insecurity in a region where 20 percent of families go hungry
Africa Needs Better Farm Policy—Not Better Farmers
I’ve recently spent several weeks in Malawi, and for about 15 years I have been working with colleagues on measuring the impacts of agricultural input use in Africa. With American budget cuts looming, I spent some of my time overseas…
Census of Agriculture 2017: Sign Up by June 30
The 2017 Census of Agriculture provides an opportunity for farmers and ranchers to influence the future of agriculture, including policies and budget priorities, by giving them a voice.
New Partnership Pursues Sustainable Rice
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the International Rice Research Institute are joining forces to promote sustainable rice production and improve the lives of small-scale farmers and women in developing countries.
FAO Family Farming Platform Seeks an Informed Policy Debate
Food Tank speaks with Francesco Pierri, Head of the U.N. Food And Agriculture Organization (FAO) Advocacy Unit, about the Family Farming Knowledge Platform. This online platform seeks to collect information on international, regional, and national regulations and laws that are relevant to family farmers around the world.
Lindsey Shute: “Agriculture is the wealth of the nation”
Lindsey Lusher Shute, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the National Young Farmers Coalition, is speaking at the inaugural Boston Food Tank Summit, “Investing in Discovery,” on April 1, 2017.
Paul Willis, Niman Ranch: “Every person can ask and inquire about their food”
Paul Willis, Farmer and Founder of Niman Ranch Pork Company, is speaking at the inaugural Boston Food Tank Summit, “Investing in Discovery,” which will be held in collaboration with Tufts University and Oxfam America on April 1, 2017.
Alfrea Plants Garden Spaces into the Sharing Economy
Food Tank had the opportunity to interview David Wagstaff. He founded Alfrea, the company with an online marketplace for landowners, garden helpers, and farmers who want to sell produce.
Teaching Self-Sufficiency and Gender Development in East Africa
In countries of East Africa, Send a Cow’s training experts share new ideas about gender equality and organic agriculture in order to bring balance and self-sufficiency to communities.
Roger Johnson on the Importance of Remembering Family Farmers
Roger Johnson, 14th President of the National Farmers Union, is speaking at the third annual D.C. Food Tank Summit, Let’s Build a Better Food Policy, which will be hosted in partnership with George Washington University and the World Resources Institute on February 2, 2017.
