South Florida, Join the UN Food Systems Summit Dialogue

“If you have ever wanted to share your views with heads of state at the UN, this is your chance”
— UN Special Envoy Dr. Agnes Kalibata, Convenor of the UN 2021 Food System Summit

South Floridians will get a chance to add their voices to the conversation about the future of sustainable food systems here during a regional Zoom edition of the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit May 27 starting at 9:30am.

Topics include food access, climate resilience, COVID-19 recovery, food waste, responsible consumption, diversity and inclusion, community building and youth engagement. The event is open to all who register, including stakeholders like artisans, farmers, NGOs, indigenous people, consumer groups and those who work in science and academia and government.

"South Florida’s Food Systems Summit Dialogue offers a powerful opportunity for people here in the region to have a seat at the table at the milestone UN Summit in September," says Franziska Alesso-Bendisch, United Nations Association USA Miami board member. "Our feedback from the Dialogue will enable us to shape the future of our food systems, globally, in the U.S. and here in South Florida."

This event marks the first multi-stakeholder event of its kind, convening participants who work in food production, processing, distribution, consumption and recovery. This dialogue will explore, debate and shape pathways to more sustainable and resilient food systems here. Feedback will inform the UN pre-summit in July and the UN Food Systems Summit in September 2021.

AlessoBendisch sees a focus on food safety and food systems in the wake of disruptions because of COVID-19. "We are becoming more aware of the environmental impacts of the food we consume or waste. We are also connecting the dots between the impacts of the climate crisis and the availability and affordability of food. And we are more tuned into how our diets affect our health and wellbeing," she says. "When I wrote my book on Community Nutrition Resilience in Greater Miami in 2018/19, I already saw an increasing awareness. Now, in 2021, I see more action in some areas, and more willingness to act in others."

Keynote speakers include Florida agriculture commissioner Nikki Fried, Miami-Dade mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Paco Velez from Feeding South Florida. 

Participants can:
    •    Connect with the community working on food security and food systems
    •    Contribute their perspective and ideas to discuss present challenges and future solutions
    •    Help shape food security and food systems work on a national and international scale by providing feedback  Speakers and the agenda will be announced before the event.

"The Food Systems Dialogue is our opportunity to increase this focus even more and make our voices heard to actively contribute to a stronger, more sustainable, resilient and inclusive food system in South Florida," says Alesso-Bendisch. "I encourage everyone with an interest in food systems to participate on May 27."

To sign up, visit this link.