The second edition of the #GoodFoodGoodFarming days of action took place in October with
around 100 actions in 23 countries across Europe. Local markets, public
awareness raising events, farm visits, connecting farmers and citizens,
protests and lot of other actions – all connected with the single idea of
supporting the transition away from unsustainable agriculture and stepping up
for urgent changes in the current food and farming system and for a substantial
reform of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to serve people and the
planet.
The action days culminated
with a large protest in Strasbourg where 1000 citizens and farmers gathered to
show their demands for a fair and healthy food system where local communities
and biodiversity thrive. Over 2000 postcards where Europeans were asking for
better Common Agricultural Policy were handed over to the Members of the
European Parliament.
Friends of the Earth
member groups organised several of these actions and were part of the movement,
informing citizens about sustainable farming.
Poland
Polski Klub
Ekologiczny/Friends of the Earth Poland collaborated on the organisation of
several events. At a traditional St. Michael's feast in Grzybowo around 300
people met local farmers, tasted healthy vegan soup and gained new knowledge
about the EU´s agricultural policy via a CAP quiz and several workshops.
In Gliwice, the annual Organic and Traditional Food Market took place where
visitors could also find information about Polish and European agriculture and
the policies that shape it.
Malta
Among other things Friends
of the Earth Malta organised a Good Food Good Living eco-fair, with awareness
talks and educational workshops, live music, entertainment, and fun activities
for kids and adults, This helped to put the spotlight on the thousands of local
farmers who work hard to produce wonderful, healthy, refreshing food for our
plates.
Spain
Amigos de la
Tierra/Friends of the Earth Spain focused on bringing citizens to local farmers
with seven field days and public discussions at farms where participants could
taste local organic products and conduct citizen science workshops on
responsible consumption.
Czech Republic
Hnutí DUHA/Friends
of the Earth Czech Republic joined the annual eco-fairs in Prague and Brno with
their information stands, raising awareness through public discussions,
tastings of local and organic food and engaging citizens in the discussion
about the new CAP by writing postcards about healthy and sustainable
agriculture. They also organised a two-day field trip to a goat farm where 80
people learned about the farm, goats and the CAP with farmers and other
agriculture experts.
Hungary
Seven cities, seven action
days! Magyar Természetvédők Szövetsége/Friends
of the Earth Hungary participated in creating spaces where citizens could learn
how important it is to support small farmers and rural livelihoods, rather than
intensive, large-scale farming. They also organised a workshop for 60
representatives of Hungarian NGOs about the CAP and how to make it better for
rural areas and nature.
Denmark
To engage people in the
debate about agriculture and CAP, NOAH/Friends of the Earth Denmark engaged
people in public spaces in relaxed discussions on food and farming, offering
them ingredients for a recipe for a good CAP - starting from the food they eat
and its impact on climate and biodiversity, but also bringing in information
about the payments farmers get and the role of policies to ensure sustainable farming.
NOAH also undertook several roadtrips to farmers to talk with them about the
CAP and how it impacts their life and work.