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Global food crisis -

It is no great secret that we have a global problem with access to food. Each year, enough food is produced to feed 10 billion people, and yet billions of people go undernourished.

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Growing concern -

Global hunger and malnutrition may not be a new topic, but as inflation takes hold and food prices rise around the world, the affordability of food is an increasing concern.

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A European take -

In response to the growing crisis, collectives of NGOs, farmers, researchers, and citizens in Europe are experimenting with the concept of "social security for food."

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The concept -

Central to this concept is the idea that everyone, regardless of their income, should have the right to access healthy and nutritious food.

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Monthly allowance -

The proposal is that every citizen should receive a monthly allowance, which would enable them to buy foods meeting certain environmental and ethical standards.

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Pioneers -

Two countries in particular are paving the way when it comes to exploring this concept: France and Belgium.

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Designated card -

Both countries have proposed a scheme under which every citizen would automatically receive a fixed sum each month, for example on a designated food allowance card.

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The amount -

In terms of the amount to be received, between 100 and 150€ (US$106-159) has been suggested for adults, and between 50 and 75€ ($53-8) for kids.

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Proportionate contributions -

As with universal healthcare systems such as those in France and Belgium, the personal allowance would be funded by contributions proportional to each individual’s income.

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Wealth redistribution -

With proportionate contributions and a fixed allowance, such initiatives would effectively redistribute wealth from those with the most to those with the least.

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Further funding -

There may also be the opportunity for further funding through a state contribution, for example by increasing the excise duties on products such as alcohol and tobacco.

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Key aspect -

Another key aspect to this initiative is that only products meeting certain criteria should be able to be purchased with the food allowance card.

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Overhauling the system -

These criteria, which include things such as organic certification and fair pay for workers, are intended to contribute to an overall transformation of the global food system.

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The benefit of organic -

Indeed, although organic foods do not contain more nutrients than their non-organic counterparts, they are healthier in the sense that they expose us to fewer pesticides.

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Increasing biodiversity -

Organic farming also has a smaller environmental impact than traditional farming, and it can increase biodiversity.

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Existing trials -

There are currently two trials underway that are experimenting with this food social security concept, one in France and one in Belgium.

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Brussels -

In the Brussels trial, which started in 2022 and which is funded by the Belgian social welfare center, participants from 60 low-income households receive 150€ per month for a year.

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Brussels -

The participants do not have to make a contribution, but they are only able to spend their allowance in one particular supermarket called BEES Coop.

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Preliminary results - Results so far indicate that participants in the study are mainly using the allowance to purchase food staples, with a small fraction also going for non-food essentials, such as soap.

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Montpellier -

The project in Montpellier, France, hinges more heavily on the idea that wealthier individuals should contribute more for their food.

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Montpellier -

The trial involves 400 participants, half of whom live in poverty. All participants are required to contribute a voluntary amount of between 1 and 150€, but everyone receives a fixed sum of 100€ per month.

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Montpellier -

Funds are issued to each participant in a local currency that can be spent at five different supermarkets throughout the city.

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Mixed reviews -

Social security for food initiatives such as those underway in France and Belgium have so far received mixed reviews.

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The experts -

According to Emma Patterson, senior lecturer at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, they are a great way to address structural barriers like cost and accessibility to food.

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Potential limitations -

Only allowing funds to be spent at particular supermarkets may mean that access continues to be an issue, however.

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Emma Patterson -

According to Patterson, "To have a wide impact, you need to involve ordinary supermarkets and make this available to everybody. Otherwise, you'd be benefiting people already in a position to make extra trips to special shops.”

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Other obstacles -

There is also the broader issue that it may be very difficult to change people’s mindsets. For some people it is very difficult to view social security as a scenario from which we all gain.

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All in all -

Ongoing trials in Europe may be making small inroads, but they are helping researchers answer questions about whether such schemes would ever be feasible on a larger scale.

See also: Climate-conscious food: what you need to know

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