Entrepreneurship is deeply intertwined with the migration stories of African diasporas, particularly in the agrofood sector. Over the years, many in the diaspora have harnessed their resources to launch agrofood projects, which often go unrecognized in mainstream development narratives and data. To spotlight these efforts, the African Diaspora Agrofood Entrepreneur of the Year award was conceived, honoring those making significant impacts in the sector.
In 2022, this prestigious award, organized by The Food Bridge, was presented to Mr. Cyril Sanjoh, a Cameroonian entrepreneur revolutionizing the international agrifood landscape. His company, Sansusa, registered as a Common Initiative Group (CIG) in 2014, is committed to sustainable farming practices, producing a diverse range of crops and livestock.
Sanjoh Farms spans three major projects:
Sanje (100 hectares): A diverse farm featuring 11 hectares of palm trees, 2 hectares of plantains, and an array of tree crops such as bitter kola and kola nuts.
Idenau (15 hectares): Focuses on cocoa, white pepper, plantains, and various other crops including oranges, avocados, and chili peppers.
Njonji (2 hectares): Dedicated to livestock, housing 55 cattle and 7 sheep.
(Read more about his journey https://www.thefoodbridge.org/.../263-from-denderleeuw-to...).

In 2023, Mr. Alpha Diallo, founder of Africapaid, received the award for his innovative work at WELLI Farm in Senegal. His farm addresses food security challenges by focusing on fruit, vegetable, and dairy production while supporting the local community. Diallo’s approach is especially notable for his collaboration with local women, who collect farm produce on credit and sell it at markets, keeping 100% of the profits.
The farm spans 4 hectares and features a 96-metre-deep borehole to power a drip irrigation system, ensuring water for crops, livestock, and the community. Solar panels provide energy for the farm and even allow villagers to charge their phones.
(Read more about his inspiring work (https://www.thefoodbridge.org/.../Compendium-of-Agrofood...)).
These entrepreneurs exemplify how the African diaspora is transforming agrofood systems, not just for profit but for the betterment of their communities and countries.

Who will win the award in 2024? Send in your nominations!

 

                            

                           

 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

                       

 

 

The Food Bridge vzw is pleased to announce its continued partnership with the European Union Global Diaspora Facility (EUDIF) for the 2024 edition of the African Diaspora Agrofood Entrepreneurs Compendium. This publication aims to support and promote the growth of the African Diaspora agrofood entrepreneurship ecosystem.
We will be featuring African diaspora agrofood entrepreneurs based in Europe, who operate businesses in Africa, the Caribbean, or Europe. Selected entrepreneurs will be highlighted in this year's edition.
Interested entrepreneurs can scan the QR code to submit information about their businesses in English or French for consideration. All submissions must be made before the end of September 2024.

For inquiries, contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
#africandiaspora #entrepreneurship #agrofood

People 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. 

Following 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 October 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.

 

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.

 

We 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

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.

 

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.