Economic Justice

Food is central to life: the United Church believes that our society must ensure a food supply for everyone that is safe, reliable, and affordable. At the same time, agriculture and fisheries should provide a dignified livelihood for producers and ensure ecological balance.

In light of the global food crisis, we call for actions addressing the root causes of hunger and food insecurity. These include fair food distribution, sustainable farming practices, and greater public investment in small farms.

Information and Action

• Food for Life Campaign
  The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, of which the United Church is a member, has launched a global campaign to overcome hunger and to improve livelihoods in harmony with creation and social justice.
• The Global Food Security Crisis [PDF: 4 pp/109 KB]
  This introduction to the global food security crisis describes its impact on the world's most vulnerable people and the work being done toward a just, viable solution. Further links to in-depth reading are included.
• Genetically Modified Food
  The United Church's position on genetically modified food, including its opposition to the patenting of seeds and support for regulations that ensure safety and security.

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Related Partners and Programs

The United Church works in partnership with organizations in Canada and around the world to address issues of food and agriculture, including:

• Amity Foundation (China)
  Amity promotes projects related to food and integrated community development. They include the improvement of river embankments and arable land, education about better seeds, more access to safe drinking water, and agricultural skills training for peasants.
• Asian Rural Institute (Japan)
  ARI provides training for international grassroots rural leaders, including courses in organic farming and the use of appropriate technologies to promote food security.
• Canadian Foodgrains Bank
  United Church members are engaged in ending hunger and promoting food security through different types of involvement with the ecumenical Canadian Foodgrains Bank, including participation in community-based growing projects.
• Christian Care (Zimbabwe)
  In partnership with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and the United Church, Christian Care is innovating sustainable agriculture using local resources, organic methods, and a seed bank to preserve traditional food varieties.
• Christian Centre for Reflection and Dialogue (Cuba) (Spanish-language website)
  CCRD works to promote ecologically sustainable agriculture through their organic farm and food outreach project. Find out more by watching this YouTube video.
• The Rural Reflection Group (Argentina) (Spanish-language website)
  The RRG is campaigning against the irresponsible use of pesticides linked to the large-scale cultivation of genetically modified soybeans in rural communities throughout Argentina.

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Conference Connections

United Church communities work on food and agricultural issues through a variety of local and regional initiatives. Here are examples from several Conferences:

• Alberta Northwest
  Trinity United Church has been working with the Greater Edmonton Alliance on issues of food security and the role of industry.
• Hamilton
  Queen's Bush rural ministries provides a help line for those suffering the effects of the farming crisis in the Bruce area (519-369-6744). This service offers options, hope, networking, and referrals to those in need.
• Manitoba and Northwest Ontario
  Aggasiz and Assiniboine Presbyteries are working on issues focused on agriculture and women, the use of bio-fuels, the farming crisis, genetically modified foods, and creating sustainable Earth communities.

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Background, Resources, and Links

• Abundance through Mulch and a Hoe: Conservation Farming in Zimbabwe [PDF: 2 pp/25 KB]
  This exciting project is empowering farmers to produce more on less land, independently of global corporations. All that's need is mulch and a hoe.
• Beyond Factory Farming Coalition
  A national organization of citizens' groups promoting socially responsible livestock production in Canada.
• Canadian Food Security Policy Group
  This group of the Canadian Council for International Cooperation examines the impact of international trade rules on agriculture and food security in developing countries.
• Confronting the Global Food Crisis [PDF: 4 pp/159 KB]
  What's happening with the global food crisis? How is the church responding? What are our overseas partners doing? What can you do? The cover story of the November 2008 Mandate.
• Food Secure Canada
  This new Canadian organization works to unite people and organizations acting for food security nationally and globally.
• National Farmers Union
  The NFU works toward maintaining the family farm as the primary food-producing unit in Canada through economic and social policies.
• Rx for a Failing Food System [PDF: 4 pp/249 KB]
  The church can help bridge the gap between rural and urban Canada. From the May 2010 issue of Mandate.
• What's on the Menu? [PDF: 2 pp/240 KB]
  A Bible study on food and faith. From the May 2010 issue of Mandate.
• Who Says Food Is a Human Right? (The Nation, Oct. 3, 2011)
  Hunger and famine, often thought of as crises of productivity, are really crises of power; their root cause is not scarcity of food but a scarcity of democracy. Read more on this topic by food systems analyst Anna Lappe.
• The Winner Is…the World! [PDF: 2 pp/67 KB]
  Bake some Ethical Brownies as a group, and discuss food choices while they bake. Adapted from Mandate, May 2010.

For more information, contact:

• Gary Kenny
  Program Coordinator, Emergency Response and International Development
  The United Church of Canada
  Tel: 416-231-7680 ext. 4051
  Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4051
  E-mail: Gary Kenny