26 Oct The Agenda | Vol. 42 | Global Food Security

by the Global Impact Relations Network

OCTOBER 27, 2021 | THE AGENDA VOL. 42

Showing the world how impactful storytelling drives behavior

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One of the most consequential effects of the climate crisis is a looming global food shortage resulting from droughts, floods and wildfires. In response, a growing contingent of scientists, farmers and advocates are calling for food security to have a larger part of the agenda at the upcoming COP26 conference in Glasgow than it currently occupies.

In this month’s Agenda, we look at how communicators are helping to advance both the discourse on, and potential solutions to, global food security challenges.

SDGs covered in this issue:

Coalition aims to bring global knowledge to local farmers markets

Image: Foodtank

A new coalition launched at the U.N. Food Systems pre-summit aims to help farmers markets around the world thrive through the exchange of knowledge and experience. The coalition, in which 11 nations are participating so far, is working on its first research report, First World Farmers Markets Report, along with campaigns to promote the replication of successful farmers markets models around the world. Organizers will be channeling support from the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization toward setting up robust internal and external communications. Some of the challenges to be addressed in research and campaigns include urban planning policies that displace markets, accessibility for low-income shoppers, and fostering trust between urban and rural communities. 

World Farmers Market Coalition Launches to Cultivate Lasting Food Security – Food Tank

Community-led advocacy group goes toe-to-toe with developers over farmland

Image: Hamilton Spectator

Hamilton, Ontario is known historically as the center of Canada’s steel industry, but is also situated next to some of Southern Ontario’s most fertile agricultural land. A group of community organizers is locked in battle with developers and Premier Doug Ford, who favor building car-dependent residential subdivisions on 3,300 acres of prime farmland to accommodate Hamilton’s growing population. Through social media blasts, lawn signs, organized delegations at City Hall, citizen op-eds and partnering with other advocacy groups, Stop Sprawl Hamilton is advocating for growth within the city’s existing boundary, where it argues many suitable sites exist for medium and high-density housing development. The group’s tactics resulted in an overwhelming “no” response to the city’s survey on urban boundary expansion (16K of 18K total responses) and inspired stories and segments on Global News, CBC, The Agenda on TVO and more.

From the Impact Relations Community…

To coincide with becoming the Global Impact Relations Network’s newest member agency, Zak Communications founder Laurie Zakreski penned a blog post about the evolution of PR, and how, in an age where brands are recognized as stakeholders in the world’s most pressing social challenges, not doing nothing is everything.

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Thanks for reading,

— Ashley Letts, Managing Editor

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