Seminar: A Foodies Guide to Capitalism - A Q&A with author Eric Holt-Gimenez

Is it possible to transform the food system without addressing capitalism? What can we learn from struggles to change the food system, from “voting with your fork” to the need to build longer-term movements dedicated to systemic change? 
In this community event, Eric Holt-Giménez from Food First, California, will discuss the role of capitalism in structuring the global food regime, knowledge which is essential for any foodie who wants to better understand the political, financial, governmental and market structures that presently work against sustainability and food justice. Eric will also identify spaces within global capitalism where change is possible – including examples from agroecology, food sovereignty, cooperatives, the commons, fair trade, urban agriculture, land justice and community organising.

Date: 26 October 2018

Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: Food Connect Foundation, 1/8 Textile Cr, BRISBANE QLD 4107

Tickets/registration: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/a-foodies-guide-to-capitalism-with-author-eric-holt-gimenez-tickets-49581705215

About the Presenter

Eric Holt-Giménez, PhD, is an agroecologist, political economist, lecturer and author. As the current Executive Director of Food First, Eric’s work both informs and amplifies the voices of social movements fighting for food justice, sovereignty and food systems transformation across the globe. Food First generates research and education for action, and their frontline publishing approach brings researchers, writers, and social movements together in a collective effort to bring the perspective of community-based struggles to broader development and policy debates. As a lecturer, Eric has given yearly courses in international development, agroecology, social movements and food systems transformation at the University of California, Boston University, the University of Gastronomic Sciences, Pollenzo (Slow Food) and the Universidad de Antioquia in Medellín, Colombia. In Eric’s words, “successful social movements are formed by integrating activism with livelihoods. These integrated movements create the sustained social pressure that produces political will—the key to changing the financial, governmental and market structures that presently work against sustainability.” This presentation draws on Eric’s newest book, A Foodies Guide to Capitalism: Understanding the Political Economy of What We Eat.

The Panel

Eric will be joined by a panel of local fair food advocates and practitioners from the SEQ region, who will offer their insights into how these global lessons might apply to building a fairer food system in our own backyard. While capitalism certainly structures the global food system, local change is possible! 
Speakers:  
Dr Carol Richards, QUT 
Dr Kiah Smith, UQ 

Presented by: Brisbane Fair Food Alliance, Food Connect Foundation, UQ School of Social Science and QUT Business School.