call for papers special issue Civilization journalFollowing the successful conference on decolonization, diasporas, and the African food system, we are pleased to announce a call for papers for a special issue of the international journal Civilizations, which will be coordinated by Dr. Sarah O'Neill and Dr. Maureen Duru.
We invite scholars, researchers, and practitioners to submit papers that offer new insights and perspectives on the theme: Food, Power, and the African Diaspora: Exploring Intersections. This special issue seeks to delve into the complex relationships between food systems, power dynamics, and the African diaspora, highlighting the historical, cultural, and socio-economic intersections.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• The role of food in the cultural identity and heritage of African diasporic communities.
• Historical analysis of colonialism and its impact on African food systems.
• Power dynamics within global food trade and its effects on African nations and diasporic communities.
• Food sovereignty and security in African diasporic contexts.
• Culinary traditions and innovations within the African diaspora.
• The intersection of food, politics, and social movements in African diasporic communities.
• Contributions of African diasporic communities to global food culture and systems.
• Case studies on decolonizing food practices within the African diaspora.
We encourage papers that are not only informative but also provide new insights and provoke thought on the edition's theme. Submissions should contribute to a deeper understanding of how food and power interact within the African diaspora and offer fresh perspectives on these intersections.

Submissions for articles may be sent in French or British English, and should include a
title, an abstract (500 words maximum), 4-5 keywords, and an indicative bibliography.
The journal also accepts suggestions for book reviews linked to the central theme, as well
as review articles covering multiple recent publications on this topic.
Proposals should be sent before 15 September 2024 to the editorial assistant of the journal: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For more information or inquiries
contact : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

vyakulani afro brunchWe are thrilled to invite you to a unique Afro brunch that celebrates the rich and diverse flavors of Africa. This brunch is more than just a meal; it's about community, connection, and cultural exchange. It will be an immersive cultural experience for people from all walks of life to come together, share stories, and celebrate the rich cultural tapestry that African cuisine represents.

At the heart of the Afro Brunch is the Vyakulani Africa Project which plans to engage with the African diaspora in Belgium to document and share the diverse culinary traditions that have traveled from Africa to Europe. By working closely with local communities, the Vyakulani Africa Project’s  aim is to create a comprehensive and interactive map of African food heritage in Belgium, showcasing the rich and varied gastronomic traditions that African migrants have brought with them.

By participating, you can:

  • Share Your Stories: Contribute your personal and family recipes, food stories, and culinary traditions to a collective database that celebrates the African food legacy.
  • Learn and Discover: Gain insights into the diverse flavors and cooking techniques of Africans through workshops, cooking classes, and cultural exchanges.
  • Connect with the Community: Meet like-minded individuals, build connections, and be part of a vibrant community that values and celebrates African culture.
  • Promote Cultural Heritage: Help bring the rich culinary heritage of Africa to a wider audience, fostering appreciation and understanding of African culture through food.

How to Get Involved

The Vyakulani Africa Project is open to everyone who is passionate about African cuisine and culture. Whether you are a seasoned cook, a food enthusiast, or someone with a keen interest in cultural heritage, there is a place for you in this project. Join us on the 20th of July 2024 and get more information. The venue is CNCD-11.11.11 Quai du Commerce 9, 1000 Brussels, from 11am to 1.30pm.

Vyakulani Africa is an initiative of the Food Bridge vzw in collaboration with the Africa museum Belgium, Diaspofood Research group ULB, Sankaa vzw and funded by the EU Impetus Accelerator Program

farm to kitchen website

Over the past year, the Food Bridge vzw and its partners have been organizing training and seminars for Nigerian farmers. Despite the rising cost of food in the country, the income of majority of the farmers remains the same. Thus we have started a new intitiative that will  link farmers directly to consumers. Our aim is to offer farmers trained in our programs an opportunity to sell directly to consumers; many of who are looking for safe and affordable food. 

For more details contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

african food

After much hard work, including an intensive but really informative bootcamp, the Food Bridge's new project Vyakulani Africa is  finally accepted into the 2024 Impetus Accelerator program for citizen scientists!

Vyakulani is a Swahili word that represents the essence of our new citizen scientists project; with the dual connotation of "in the food" or "which food," thus reflecting the internal and external factors driving this study.

Despite Belgium's historical ties with Africa and a well-established African diaspora community, there is a notable lack of knowledge regarding African cuisine beyond this community. It is thus imperative to delve deeper into the factors contributing to this knowledge gap.

Our citizen scientist program will collect data on African food legacy in Belgium, the sustainability of home recipes and diets, including their transmission across generations and potential benefits for larger society (European citizens). The program will be implemented inAntwerp and Brussels.

We will use citizen scientists for data collection, organize outreach activities such as  infosession, cooking demonstrations, food tastings, seminars, campaigns, and later make the project results available to the public. The program will run from July to December 2024

This project is an initiative of the Food Bridge vzw in partnership with Diaspofood ULB, Sankaa vzw and others, funded by the Impetus Accelerator Program.

 
On Friday 15 October 2021, Netherlands Food Partnership is hosting a unique and uplifting hybrid event for food professionals to celebrate World Food Day 2021.
The event will take a fresh look at three food system challenges: What does enabling healthy and sustainable food choices mean in an unequal food system? How can the potential of advanced digitalisation work be made to work for entrepreneurial food actors? How can a breakthrough be realized in achieving a living income for all?
 
Expect cutting-edge speakers, artistic inspiration and the opportunity to jointly reach fresh insights to contribute to food system transformation in the Global South.
 
keynote speakers
LAWRENCE HADDAD • Fresh global perspectives
Executive Director of GAIN andChair of the Food Systems Summit's Action Track 1
Economist Lawrence Haddad will share his reflections and insights about actionable outcomes of the Food Systems Summit. What do these outcomes imply for our immediate actions as food professionals?
 
CHARLES MICHEL • Fresh vision
Food educator & Activist
Colombian-French food educator, experience designer and community catalyst, Charles Michel (featured on Netflix's The Final Table) refreshes our senses by taking us on a journey that will open our eyes to the root causes and future of (un)healthy and sustainable food choices.
 
DATE: 15 October 2021
TIME: 10.00 – 12.15 CET
LOCATION: Online, live from Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam
LANGUAGE: English spoken
REGISTRATION: Registration is free

 

                            

Decolonization 2024                           

 We have the program of the conference on Decolonization, Diaspora and the African Food Systems, which will be held from the 2nd to 3rd July 2024, at the Africa Museum Tervuren, Belgium

Here is the registration link: https://www.eventbrite.be/.../decolonization-diasporas...

                                 

Programme

Conference; Decolonization, Diaspora and the African Food Systems

2nd to 3rd July 2024

Africa Museum Tervuren, Belgium

8.30 – 9.30                      Welcome & Registration

9.30 – 9.40                      Welcome Remarks by Dr Maureen Duru & Dr Sarah O’Neill

9.45 – 10.25                    Keynote by Prof Adams Bodomo, Head of African Studies Department University of Vienna, Austria

10.30 – 11. 15                 Breakout session “What do you understand by decolonizing the African food system?”: Followed by interactive discussions

11.15 – 11.30                  Coffee Break    

11.35 – 12.40                  Precolonial and colonial African foodways 

  • Karina Ramos - The relationship between food consumption and territoriality in Luanda's colonial urban space (1949-1973)
  • Iradukunda M Tema - La nutrition à l’africaine, le Sorgho aliment traditionnel burundais
  • Birgit Ricquier - Early Foodways in Northeast Congo: Shots of History Distilled by means of Comparative Linguistics
  • Maud Devos - Stilled objects versus cultural histories. Reconnecting museum objects related to coffee and cassava to past and present Tetela vocabularies.

12.45 – 13.30                 Diaspora Foodways              

  • Michael Abwami Innocent - Exploring The Influence Of African Diasporas On Food Practices: A Development Communication Perspective
  • Jahlani Niaah, Nicole Plummer, Sonjah Stanley Niaah - Decolonizing the Palate: Rastafari's Evolution of Ital Nutrition
  • Philip Umaru, Azubuike Erinugha - Exploring African Food in Contexts: Implications for Diasporic Communities
  • Sarah O’Neill & Maureen Duru – Mapping the African Food legacy in Belgium: the Vyakulani Project
  •  Lunch – Chef Alagie, Banjul Kitchen

14.20 – 15.10                Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship

  • Sarah De Smet, Smaranda Boros, Charlene Zietsma, Karijn Bonne and Claire Maréchal - Women immigrant entrepreneurs in Belgium: Strategies to belong
  • Eduardo da Silva Oliveira: Decolonising Sustainability: Implementing Divergent Pedagogies for African-Centred Business Sustainability Management Solutions
  • Suzanne Awung, Founder Suzy Farms Corp Cameroon

15.15 – 15.45                Coffee break and nutritious food cooking demonstration

  • Chef Alagie, Banjul Kitchen

 

  • – 17.30 African Diaspora food in literature

                               A workshop with Prof Adams Bodomo and other African authors

 

DAY TWO 

8.30 – 9.25                    Welcome & Registration

  • – 10.45 Health and Nutrition -
  • Emiel de Meyer - Medicinal plant use among the Congolese (Democratic Republic of Congo) community in Belgium
  • Laura Van Damme - Plant use and perceptions in the context of sexual health among people of Congolese descent in Belgium
  • Helen Bour, Sandra Boatemaa Kushitor, Karina Benessaiah, Elena Bennett, Oonsie Reinette Biggs, Nyasha Magadzire - The Role Of Seeds In Transforming Food Systems In Coastal Areas In Ghana
  • Food as medicine and heritage – Dr Stella Iwuagwu

10.50- 11.20                           Side activity

 

  • From Congo to Belgium: culinary journeys and stories

                                        Du Congo à la Belgique : voyages culinaires et histoires

 

11.25 – 11.40                 Coffee Break

11.45 – 13.00                   Food Sovereignty and Climate change

  • Nicole Plummer, Marisa Wilson, Charmaine McKenzie, Inna Yaneva-Toraman, Thera Edwards, Patricia Northover, Sylvia Adjoa Mitchell, Anthony Richards, Kasikeiani Ronalda Pairman - Achieving Climate Justice Through a Decolonized Approach to Food Heritage
  • Ndidi Nwaneri - ONUNAKA FARMS – 2021-2023
  • Jutta Kleber - Relying on indigenous knowledge for sound agriculture, food and health systems - experiences from East-Africa

13.05 – 13.45               Lunch - Chef Alagie, Banjul Kitchen Food Truck

 

13.50 – 14.40                     Food Policy and Governance

  • Marthe Djuikom - Politiques de développement et mutations en milieu rural africain
  • Aya Kasasa - Diaspora Desk, Organization of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACP)
  • Guggi Laryea - International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

14.45 -15. 50             Panel Discussion “what is the Future for African Food Systems”

                                  moderated by Ms Paddy Siyanga

                                  Panelists TBC

15.55 – 17. 20             Vote of thanks and networking

                       

8.30 – 9.30                      Welcome & Registration

9.30 – 9.40                      Welcome Remarks by Dr Maureen Duru & Dr Sarah O’Neill

9.45 – 10.25                    Keynote by Prof Adams Bodomo, Head of African Studies Department University of Vienna, Austria

10.30 – 11. 15                 Breakout session “What do you understand by decolonizing the African food system?”: Followed by interactive discussions

11.15 – 11.30                  Coffee Break    

11.35 – 12.40                  Precolonial and colonial African foodways 

  • Karina Ramos - The relationship between food consumption and territoriality in Luanda's colonial urban space (1949-1973)
  • Iradukunda M Tema - La nutrition à l’africaine, le Sorgho aliment traditionnel burundais
  • Birgit Ricquier - Early Foodways in Northeast Congo: Shots of History Distilled by means of Comparative Linguistics
  • Maud Devos - Stilled objects versus cultural histories. Reconnecting museum objects related to coffee and cassava to past and present Tetela vocabularies.

12.45 – 13.30                 Diaspora Foodways              

  • Michael Abwami Innocent - Exploring The Influence Of African Diasporas On Food Practices: A Development Communication Perspective
  • Jahlani Niaah, Nicole Plummer, Sonjah Stanley Niaah - Decolonizing the Palate: Rastafari's Evolution of Ital Nutrition
  • Philip Umaru, Azubuike Erinugha - Exploring African Food in Contexts: Implications for Diasporic Communities
  • Sarah O’Neill & Maureen Duru – Mapping the African Food legacy in Belgium: the Vyakulani Project
  •  Lunch – Chef Alagie, Banjul Kitchen

14.20 – 15.10                Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship

  • Sarah De Smet, Smaranda Boros, Charlene Zietsma, Karijn Bonne and Claire Maréchal - Women immigrant entrepreneurs in Belgium: Strategies to belong
  • Eduardo da Silva Oliveira: Decolonising Sustainability: Implementing Divergent Pedagogies for African-Centred Business Sustainability Management Solutions
  • Suzanne Awung, Founder Suzy Farms Corp Cameroon

15.15 – 15.45                Coffee break and nutritious food cooking demonstration

  • Chef Alagie, Banjul Kitchen

 

  • – 17.30 African Diaspora food in literature

                               A workshop with Prof Adams Bodomo and other African authors

 

DAY TWO 

8.30 – 9.25                    Welcome & Registration

  • – 10.45 Health and Nutrition -
  • Emiel de Meyer - Medicinal plant use among the Congolese (Democratic Republic of Congo) community in Belgium
  • Laura Van Damme - Plant use and perceptions in the context of sexual health among people of Congolese descent in Belgium
  • Helen Bour, Sandra Boatemaa Kushitor, Karina Benessaiah, Elena Bennett, Oonsie Reinette Biggs, Nyasha Magadzire - The Role Of Seeds In Transforming Food Systems In Coastal Areas In Ghana
  • Food as medicine and heritage – Dr Stella Iwuagwu

10.50- 11.20                           Side activity

 

  • From Congo to Belgium: culinary journeys and stories

                                        Du Congo à la Belgique : voyages culinaires et histoires

 

11.25 – 11.40                 Coffee Break

11.45 – 13.00                   Food Sovereignty and Climate change

  • Nicole Plummer, Marisa Wilson, Charmaine McKenzie, Inna Yaneva-Toraman, Thera Edwards, Patricia Northover, Sylvia Adjoa Mitchell, Anthony Richards, Kasikeiani Ronalda Pairman - Achieving Climate Justice Through a Decolonized Approach to Food Heritage
  • Ndidi Nwaneri - ONUNAKA FARMS – 2021-2023
  • Jutta Kleber - Relying on indigenous knowledge for sound agriculture, food and health systems - experiences from East-Africa

13.05 – 13.45               Lunch - Chef Alagie, Banjul Kitchen Food Truck

 

13.50 – 14.40                     Food Policy and Governance

  • Marthe Djuikom - Politiques de développement et mutations en milieu rural africain
  • Aya Kasasa - Diaspora Desk, Organization of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACP)
  • Guggi Laryea - International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

14.45 -15. 50             Panel Discussion “what is the Future for African Food Systems”

                                  moderated by Ms Paddy Siyanga

                                  Panelists TBC

15.55 – 17. 20             Vote of thanks and networking

                       

                            

                           

 Programme

Conference; Decolonization, Diaspora and the African Food Systems

2nd to 3rd July 2024

Africa Museum Tervuren, Belgium

8.30 – 9.30                      Welcome & Registration

9.30 – 9.40                      Welcome Remarks by Dr Maureen Duru & Dr Sarah O’Neill

9.45 – 10.25                    Keynote by Prof Adams Bodomo, Head of African Studies Department University of Vienna, Austria

10.30 – 11. 15                 Breakout session “What do you understand by decolonizing the African food system?”: Followed by interactive discussions

11.15 – 11.30                  Coffee Break    

11.35 – 12.40                  Precolonial and colonial African foodways 

  • Karina Ramos - The relationship between food consumption and territoriality in Luanda's colonial urban space (1949-1973)
  • Iradukunda M Tema - La nutrition à l’africaine, le Sorgho aliment traditionnel burundais
  • Birgit Ricquier - Early Foodways in Northeast Congo: Shots of History Distilled by means of Comparative Linguistics
  • Maud Devos - Stilled objects versus cultural histories. Reconnecting museum objects related to coffee and cassava to past and present Tetela vocabularies.

12.45 – 13.30                 Diaspora Foodways              

  • Michael Abwami Innocent - Exploring The Influence Of African Diasporas On Food Practices: A Development Communication Perspective
  • Jahlani Niaah, Nicole Plummer, Sonjah Stanley Niaah - Decolonizing the Palate: Rastafari's Evolution of Ital Nutrition
  • Philip Umaru, Azubuike Erinugha - Exploring African Food in Contexts: Implications for Diasporic Communities
  • Sarah O’Neill & Maureen Duru – Mapping the African Food legacy in Belgium: the Vyakulani Project
  •  Lunch – Chef Alagie, Banjul Kitchen

14.20 – 15.10                Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship

  • Sarah De Smet, Smaranda Boros, Charlene Zietsma, Karijn Bonne and Claire Maréchal - Women immigrant entrepreneurs in Belgium: Strategies to belong
  • Eduardo da Silva Oliveira: Decolonising Sustainability: Implementing Divergent Pedagogies for African-Centred Business Sustainability Management Solutions
  • Suzanne Awung, Founder Suzy Farms Corp Cameroon

15.15 – 15.45                Coffee break and nutritious food cooking demonstration

  • Chef Alagie, Banjul Kitchen

 

  • – 17.30 African Diaspora food in literature

                               A workshop with Prof Adams Bodomo and other African authors

 

DAY TWO 

8.30 – 9.25                    Welcome & Registration

  • – 10.45 Health and Nutrition -
  • Emiel de Meyer - Medicinal plant use among the Congolese (Democratic Republic of Congo) community in Belgium
  • Laura Van Damme - Plant use and perceptions in the context of sexual health among people of Congolese descent in Belgium
  • Helen Bour, Sandra Boatemaa Kushitor, Karina Benessaiah, Elena Bennett, Oonsie Reinette Biggs, Nyasha Magadzire - The Role Of Seeds In Transforming Food Systems In Coastal Areas In Ghana
  • Food as medicine and heritage – Dr Stella Iwuagwu

10.50- 11.20                           Side activity

 

  • From Congo to Belgium: culinary journeys and stories

                                        Du Congo à la Belgique : voyages culinaires et histoires

 

11.25 – 11.40                 Coffee Break

11.45 – 13.00                   Food Sovereignty and Climate change

  • Nicole Plummer, Marisa Wilson, Charmaine McKenzie, Inna Yaneva-Toraman, Thera Edwards, Patricia Northover, Sylvia Adjoa Mitchell, Anthony Richards, Kasikeiani Ronalda Pairman - Achieving Climate Justice Through a Decolonized Approach to Food Heritage
  • Ndidi Nwaneri - ONUNAKA FARMS – 2021-2023
  • Jutta Kleber - Relying on indigenous knowledge for sound agriculture, food and health systems - experiences from East-Africa

13.05 – 13.45               Lunch - Chef Alagie, Banjul Kitchen Food Truck

 

13.50 – 14.40                     Food Policy and Governance

  • Marthe Djuikom - Politiques de développement et mutations en milieu rural africain
  • Aya Kasasa - Diaspora Desk, Organization of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACP)
  • Guggi Laryea - International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

14.45 -15. 50             Panel Discussion “what is the Future for African Food Systems”

                                  moderated by Ms Paddy Siyanga

                                  Panelists TBC

15.55 – 17. 20             Vote of thanks and networking

                       

8.30 – 9.30                      Welcome & Registration

9.30 – 9.40                      Welcome Remarks by Dr Maureen Duru & Dr Sarah O’Neill

9.45 – 10.25                    Keynote by Prof Adams Bodomo, Head of African Studies Department University of Vienna, Austria

10.30 – 11. 15                 Breakout session “What do you understand by decolonizing the African food system?”: Followed by interactive discussions

11.15 – 11.30                  Coffee Break    

11.35 – 12.40                  Precolonial and colonial African foodways 

  • Karina Ramos - The relationship between food consumption and territoriality in Luanda's colonial urban space (1949-1973)
  • Iradukunda M Tema - La nutrition à l’africaine, le Sorgho aliment traditionnel burundais
  • Birgit Ricquier - Early Foodways in Northeast Congo: Shots of History Distilled by means of Comparative Linguistics
  • Maud Devos - Stilled objects versus cultural histories. Reconnecting museum objects related to coffee and cassava to past and present Tetela vocabularies.

12.45 – 13.30                 Diaspora Foodways              

  • Michael Abwami Innocent - Exploring The Influence Of African Diasporas On Food Practices: A Development Communication Perspective
  • Jahlani Niaah, Nicole Plummer, Sonjah Stanley Niaah - Decolonizing the Palate: Rastafari's Evolution of Ital Nutrition
  • Philip Umaru, Azubuike Erinugha - Exploring African Food in Contexts: Implications for Diasporic Communities
  • Sarah O’Neill & Maureen Duru – Mapping the African Food legacy in Belgium: the Vyakulani Project
  •  Lunch – Chef Alagie, Banjul Kitchen

14.20 – 15.10                Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship

  • Sarah De Smet, Smaranda Boros, Charlene Zietsma, Karijn Bonne and Claire Maréchal - Women immigrant entrepreneurs in Belgium: Strategies to belong
  • Eduardo da Silva Oliveira: Decolonising Sustainability: Implementing Divergent Pedagogies for African-Centred Business Sustainability Management Solutions
  • Suzanne Awung, Founder Suzy Farms Corp Cameroon

15.15 – 15.45                Coffee break and nutritious food cooking demonstration

  • Chef Alagie, Banjul Kitchen

 

  • – 17.30 African Diaspora food in literature

                               A workshop with Prof Adams Bodomo and other African authors

 

DAY TWO 

8.30 – 9.25                    Welcome & Registration

  • – 10.45 Health and Nutrition -
  • Emiel de Meyer - Medicinal plant use among the Congolese (Democratic Republic of Congo) community in Belgium
  • Laura Van Damme - Plant use and perceptions in the context of sexual health among people of Congolese descent in Belgium
  • Helen Bour, Sandra Boatemaa Kushitor, Karina Benessaiah, Elena Bennett, Oonsie Reinette Biggs, Nyasha Magadzire - The Role Of Seeds In Transforming Food Systems In Coastal Areas In Ghana
  • Food as medicine and heritage – Dr Stella Iwuagwu

10.50- 11.20                           Side activity

 

  • From Congo to Belgium: culinary journeys and stories

                                        Du Congo à la Belgique : voyages culinaires et histoires

 

11.25 – 11.40                 Coffee Break

11.45 – 13.00                   Food Sovereignty and Climate change

  • Nicole Plummer, Marisa Wilson, Charmaine McKenzie, Inna Yaneva-Toraman, Thera Edwards, Patricia Northover, Sylvia Adjoa Mitchell, Anthony Richards, Kasikeiani Ronalda Pairman - Achieving Climate Justice Through a Decolonized Approach to Food Heritage
  • Ndidi Nwaneri - ONUNAKA FARMS – 2021-2023
  • Jutta Kleber - Relying on indigenous knowledge for sound agriculture, food and health systems - experiences from East-Africa

13.05 – 13.45               Lunch - Chef Alagie, Banjul Kitchen Food Truck

 

13.50 – 14.40                     Food Policy and Governance

  • Marthe Djuikom - Politiques de développement et mutations en milieu rural africain
  • Aya Kasasa - Diaspora Desk, Organization of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACP)
  • Guggi Laryea - International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

14.45 -15. 50             Panel Discussion “what is the Future for African Food Systems”

                                  moderated by Ms Paddy Siyanga

                                  Panelists TBC

15.55 – 17. 20             Vote of thanks and networking

                       

Collage faoRedistration is open now for the  Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Intergovernmental Food Systems Dialogue co-convened by the FAO. The dialogues  theme is "Building Resilient, Inclusive and Secure Food Systems for Members of the OACPS" and will be held on the 6th of July 2021  at 20:00-22:30 (CET).

For more information and registration - http://newsletters.fao.org/q/13W8013Z0rKQWdAwfnPXo/wv

 

food speaks mag 1People irrespective of their social status, should have access to affordable healthy food even in cosmopolitan cities like Brussels.

As part of the closing report for the Food Speaks Project , we have a new publication listing Brussels food markets, social restaurants and recipes from diverse communities in Brussels. 

The project is an initiative of the Food Bridge vzw in partnership with GC Nekkersdal, Sankaa vzw, Igbo women organization and otherss; funded by Bruss-it, a program of the Brussels Flemish Government. The publication is in Dutch.

For inquiries oor request for the publication, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Agrofood Entrepreneurship Training PROSI 1

As part of the ongoing Agrofood Entrepreneurship Training, in collaboration with PROSI Group Austria we will be organizing a session focusing on African farmers access to the African Diaspora Agrofood market. The aim of this session is to have an importer of African food explain to the farmers their criteria for selecting food products and suppliers.

The guest speakers are Sijimon&Greshma Pallikunnel, Directors at  PROSI Austria. They will also share their experience as sellers of African food in Europe including the challenges.

The Zoom link for the session is 

Meeting ID: 825 7064 6235

Passcode: 709287

 

 

helping hand award 3helping hand award 4

The Food Bridge's Helping Hand Project received an award from the Ghanaian students union Belgium on the 27th of November 2021. According to Mr Erasmus, the student union's outgoing president , the award is in appreciation of the weekly food donations given to African students in Belgium during the covid pandemic lockdown. 

In her speech the Ghanaian ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU, Her Excellency Mrs Siaw-Boateng, commended the Food Bridge for their work and encouraged them to continue with the good work they are doing supporting the students and community. She also emphasised the embassy's support for Ghanaian students, informing them of available services and encouraged them to adhere to the covid protocols.

In her acceptance speech, Dr Maureen Duru of the Food Bridge vzw, thanked the students for the pleasant surprise. She mentioned that the Helping Hand's campaign which benefitted the students was with the support of dedicated partners, donors and volunteers. She acknowledged the special role of King Baudouin Foundation and Sankaa vzw, in making the campaign a success.

Dr Duru further informed the students that those of them without food during the festive period, can always send a request to the Food Santa campaign, which starts on the 15th of December 2021.

2e7caf8a f1ee 49fe 9abd 520c66294ca0 fosc susfood2

The Joint Call Board from the ERA-NETs SUSFOOD2 (SUStainable FOOD production and consumption) and FOSC (Food Systems and Climate) are pleased to announce the launch of the Joint Call for Proposals on Innovative solutions for resilient, climate-smart and sustainable food systems.

 This call for proposals is to fund projects that facilitate the transition from current linear food systems to resilient circular systems, including an optimal use of resources and less vulnerability to shocks under consideration of the interdependencies within the systems and its stakeholders.

 It will support projects taking a systems approach considering all relevant aspects in food systems and their potential to increase its sustainability (Topic 1) and resilience (Topic 2).

Proposals should include research on one of the following topics:

 

  1. Topic I: Innovations to improve food systems sustainability, with a focus on increasing resource efficiency and reducing waste
  2. Topic II: Food Systems adaptation and resilience to system shocks

The Joint Call 2021 follows a one-stage procedure with a deadline for the submission of proposals on 16th of August 2021 - 3 p.m. (CEST). A webinar for interested applicants will be organized on June 2, 2021 at 1:20 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (CEST).

For more details  visit the websites of SUSFOOD (https://susfood-db-era.net) or FOSC (https://www.foscera.net).