Future Food System Summit Summary

FUTURE FOOD SYSTEM SUMMIT

Puebla

November 16 & 17 2023

BUAP Botanical Garden, Puebla

In our recent Future Food Systems Summits we brought together a diverse group of food system experts and change-makers.

This provided a unique platform for networking, identifying common goals, and developing actionable plans for a brighter future.

What happened in our Future Food Systems Summit

Day 1

Building a common vision for Puebla’s future food system at an individual and group level.

To reach a shared vision, we began with individual perspectives of a desirable food system. Participants then collaborated in three diverse groups to create group visions. Together, we identified key values from these visions, which ultimately guided us in forming a collective shared vision.

Common Values:

Si somos responsables vamos a ser responsables con el ambiente, vamos a ser responsables con la salud, que es un tema importantísimo, no es producir por producir alimentos, tienen que ser estos también nutritivos, tienen que ser saludables y pues ser responsable implica cooperación, implica participación, implica la conciencia que tienes que generar en todo lo que haces.
– Summit participant

Participants came together and identified common values across the three group visions

Ecological culture
Responsibility
Cooperation, networks, connection (social)
Societal participation
Sustainable feeding/consumption (alimentacion)
Information and exchange of knowledges
Love and empathy

Se basa en intercambio de conocimientos, quitarnos ese miedo a si se puede hacer algo diferente, no, no vas a quedar con hambre si vas a tener acceso a lo que tú gustas, deseas tener acceso. Incluso con una visión de un cambio de paradigma en la producción de alimentos, para mí sí es abrir los conocimientos otros a otras formas de vida.
– Summit participant

Final Vision:

Based on common values, participants created a shared vision of a desirable food system in 2050

Now, in the year 2050, food production is done with innovative and environmentally friendly practices. We produce sufficient, nutritious and healthy food. There are revitalized soils that allow us to produce sustainably.
There are production and distribution networks, based on cooperation, linkage and social participation with a fair trade approach, based on responsibility and knowledge sharing, accessible to the whole society. There is a reciprocal link between the urban and the rural, product of an ecological culture based on love and empathy. The rules under which we live are self-managing and allow us to value and revalue the food production systems.

Art representation of the vision

What happened in our Future Food Systems Summit

Day 2

Networking and guided visit to Centro Agroecológico Los Volcanes

During the visit to the Centro Agroecológico Los Volcanes, several sustainable initiatives were explored. The center has constructions using ecotechnologies for example: ecological dry toilets, wetlands for natural water treatment, and the production of organic compost. In addition, the presence of an edible forest was highlighted, which integrates trees and food-producing plants, exemplifying a model of sustainable and self-sufficient agriculture. This experience offered valuable lessons on agroecological practices that can be replicated in other contexts to promote sustainability and respect for the environment.

Special thanks to those who made this workshop possible:

Facilitator:

Sergio Beltrán

Researchers:

Dr. Verena Seufert

Dr. Anne Elise Stratton

Marisol Galicia, M.Sc

Kelzy Jepsen, M.Sc

Venue:

BUAP Botanical Garden,

Centro Agroecologico los Volcanes

Catering:

Tianguis Alternativo de Puebla

Artist:

Paola del Carmen López de la Cruz

Workshop Design:

Altekio (Conchi Pineiro and Cintia Lara)

Check Out the Summit Summary

Click on the link to read the group vision summaries and common values.

Check out poster here!

The journey continues

Stay Connected with Bright Spots Project

As we move forward with the Bright Spots project, our next step is to identify indicators that will help us track our progress toward our shared vision for a better food system. By mapping these indicators, we aim to uncover “bright spots”—positive examples of sustainable agriculture and food systems in Mexico and India. These bright spots are not just solutions; they can be sources of inspiration and practical knowledge that can help us improve our food systems.

We invite you to stay connected with the Bright Spots project as we collectively seek solutions to food system sustainability challenges. By working together, we can gain a deeper understanding, learn from these positive examples, and work to share this valuable knowledge in ways that are meaningful to you.

Your ongoing engagement is vital as we build on the momentum generated during the Summits. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey toward a resilient and sustainable food future!

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