US Food Sovereignty Alliance

The USFSA supports local farming and access to healthy, sufficient food.

US Food Sovereignty Alliance (USFSA) is a coalition of food justice, sustainable agriculture, and social justice organizations working together to build a more just, sustainable, and equitable food system in the United States. The alliance is part of a global movement advocating for food sovereignty, a term coined by the international peasant movement La Via Campesina in 1996. Food sovereignty emphasizes the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems.

History

The US Food Sovereignty Alliance was founded in 2010, following a series of discussions and meetings among various U.S.-based organizations that recognized the need for a national platform to advocate for the principles of food sovereignty. Inspired by global movements and the work of La Via Campesina, the founding members sought to address the systemic issues affecting food systems in the United States, including corporate control of agriculture, the marginalization of small-scale farmers, and the environmental degradation caused by industrial farming practices.

Principles

The USFSA operates based on several core principles that align with the global food sovereignty movement. These include:

• Promoting sustainable agriculture and agroecology as key to ensuring food security and sovereignty.
• Advocating for the rights of farmers, fishers, and indigenous peoples to control their lands, seeds, water, and other resources.
• Supporting local food systems and opposing the globalization of the food market.
• Ensuring that food workers have fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to organize.
• Challenging policies and practices that undermine the right to food and food sovereignty.

Activities

The USFSA engages in a variety of activities to promote food sovereignty, including:

• Organizing national and regional assemblies to discuss strategies and share knowledge.
• Participating in advocacy and lobbying efforts to influence food and agriculture policy.
• Supporting community-based projects that embody the principles of food sovereignty.
• Collaborating with international partners to build solidarity and share experiences across borders.

Membership

Membership in the USFSA is open to organizations and individuals who support its principles and are committed to working towards food sovereignty. The alliance includes a diverse range of members, from grassroots community organizations to national advocacy groups, all united by a common vision for a just and sustainable food system.

Impact

Since its inception, the USFSA has played a significant role in raising awareness about food sovereignty in the United States and advocating for policy changes at both the national and local levels. Its efforts have contributed to the growth of the food sovereignty movement and have helped to foster a greater understanding of the connections between food, agriculture, social justice, and environmental sustainability.

Challenges

Despite its achievements, the USFSA faces ongoing challenges in its work. These include the entrenched power of agribusiness and the food industry, the complexities of changing food and agriculture policies, and the need to build broader public support for food sovereignty. Nevertheless, the alliance remains committed to its mission and continues to work towards a food system that is truly democratic, sustainable, and equitable.