Inspired by efforts around the world, in July 2012 people came together to build the food sovereignty movement in the UK. Over 100 farmers, community gardeners, co-op workers, campaigners and activists from across the country took part. Here’s a snapshot of some of the activities that the people who participated are involved in:

Outcomes

• A declaration supporting the principles of food sovereignty
• Working groups focused on different aspects of building the movement
• Action plan (coming soon)

Until the action plan is ready, you can get a flavour of the event from these blog posts from some of the people who took part:

• Our hosts Organiclea describe how the event made “picking through slug-damaged beans, on your knees, in the rain … feel like vital work: part of a movement, a wider struggle.”
• Helen from sustainable production and activism group, the Kindling Trust, in Manchester explains some of the background and how she had “within only hours the feeling that we were part of an exciting and growing movement”.
• Global justice campaigners at War on Want put the event in the context of campaigns around GM food and supermarket regulation.

Click here to see some photos from this event, which was held at Organiclea‘s Hawkwood Plant Nursery.

Event organisers included: Organiclea, Friends of the Earth, Permaculture Association, Youth Food Movement, Transition Towns, Reclaim the Fields, UK Food Group, GM Freeze, World Development Movement, Pig Business, Gaia Foundation, War on Want, Accord, World Family, Scottish Crofters Federation.