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April 2024 Swetland Seminar || Social Enterprise, Food Justice, and Food Sovereignty: Strange Bedfellows or Systemic Supports?
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There is a debate in the literature about whether one can address food system problems with market-based approaches while seeking food justice or food sovereignty. However, as part of a team of researchers and community leaders, we have found that this debate is less relevant in practice. As such, we were motivated to ask, how do social enterprises (SEs) interact with food justice and food sovereignty movements and their visions in order to realize more democratic and equitable local food systems in communities? To answer this question, we conducted a systematic review. Analyzing nine articles, which included 17 food-related SEs, we found evidence of potential interactions between food SEs, food justice, and food sovereignty that are compatible (e.g., create employment) and incompatible (e.g., limited ability to address issues like community employability and green gentrification). The literature includes at least three important characteristics that inform how food-related SEs may interact with food justice and sovereignty, including employee and ownership demographics, the enterprise business model, and aspects of the food system targeted by the enterprise via market activities. If we consider a systems perspective, we can envision the ways in which the aspects are embedded and interdependent in a neoliberal society. SEs, as market-based agents for social change, exist in the same system as justice and sovereignty.
Presenters:
Jill Clark is an associate professor at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, Ohio State University. Clark’s research focus is agrifood system policy and planning, centering on community and state governance of food systems and public engagement. Clark provides statewide leadership as a steering committee member of the Ohio Food Policy Network, international leadership as the past-president of the Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society, and local leadership as an appointment member of the city and county local food board. Clark recently was awarded the 2022 Excellence in Engaged Scholarship from the Engaged Scholarship Consortium.
Katie Merritt is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Case Western Reserve University studying Economics and Nutrition. After graduation, she will work as a Research Assistant at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington, DC. Merritt’s work experience includes internships in economic development (JobsOhio) and food and agriculture consulting (Aimpoint Research). At CWRU, she is a Cofounder and Senior Editor of the CWRU Journal of Economics and works as a TA for the Economics Department.