Understanding and Addressing Inequalities in the Food System

Webinar Series – Fall 2020 – September 17, October 15, and November 19

Understanding and Addressing Inequalities in the Food System. This unique series starts with an overview of inequalities in the food system. Following webinars explore inequality issues and solutions in both rural and urban settings. Explore additional learning materials here.

Series Schedule

What is inequality? How do inequalities play out in the food system? (Slides and Recording)
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Speaker: Dr. Sarah Cramer, Visiting Assistant Professor of Sustainable Food Systems, Stetson University, Deland, Florida
Suggested Reading: Structural Roots of Food System Inequalities by Dr. Josh Sbicca

Addressing food system inequalities in rural areas (Slides and Recording)
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Speaker: Margaret Krome-Lukens, Senior Program Manager, Come to the Table, Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA), Pittsboro, North Carolina
Suggested Video: Freedom Farmers: Black Agricultural Resistance and Creating Sustainable Communities by Dr. Monica White, 2019 RAFI Come to the Table Conference

Addressing food system inequalities in urban areas (Slides and Recording)
Thursday, November 19, 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Speaker: Erica Williams, Founder and Executive Director, A Red Circle, St. Louis, Missouri

Inequality is defined as the condition of being unequal, uneven, or unfair. In the food system, inequalities are found when looking at issues such as food access and availability; access to land; and working conditions for farm workers. These issues highlight how people in different groups, or people who live in different places, may experience vastly different outcomes.

Food system inequalities disproportionately affect low-income communities, communities of color, and can be found in both urban and rural areas. Inequalities in the food system and society at-large are not natural. They often have their roots in systems of race and class-based discrimination.

For more information about this series, please contact Bill McKelvey at McKelveyWA@missouri.edu.

This series is sponsored by the University of Missouri Interdisciplinary Center for Food Security and the University of Missouri Extension Community Economic Development Food Systems Team.