Cultivating an Inclusive Food System Where Everybody Eats: Exploring the Intersection of Justice and Food Waste

Our food systems were never broken and inequities within them are not natural. They are rooted in historic structures of racial, socioeconomic, and cultural discrimination. Acknowledging and addressing the systemic inequities that are deeply ingrained is the first step to creating an equitable, just, and inclusive food system for all. This session will include a share out of the insights from ReFED’s new Landscape Assessment report that examines the intersections between food waste and justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). For instance, what food waste reduction activities have impacts that help or hinder equity movements? And opposingly, what impact does equity movements have on the amount of food going to waste? The report points out the intersections and makes some recommendations for steps to take to increase equity in food systems. The panel will reflect on these questions and panelists will share their own experiences and explore these intersections.