‘One Dish, One Spoon:’ Strengthening Food Collaboration

The concept of "One Dish, One Spoon" highlights the historical and ongoing importance of collaboration in building resilient food systems. While this spirit may not always be evident, it remains crucial in addressing current challenges and shaping a shared vision for critical changes impacting our food supply chains.

The global food system faces pressing challenges related to environmental sustainability, economic viability, and social equity.

• Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change: Extreme weather events, droughts, and temperature shifts are disrupting agricultural production and food security. Intensive farming is depleting soil health, water resources, and biodiversity.

• Economic Viability: Price volatility and supply chain disruptions make it difficult for farmers to plan and invest. Labor shortages further exacerbate these challenges, particularly in seasonal tasks affected by geopolitical shifts.

To gain a deeper understanding of these issues, it is essential to analyze them in detail.

• Social Equity: Despite abundant food production, many people in North America struggle to access healthy, affordable food. Poor diets contribute to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and chronic disease. Agricultural workers often face low wages, harsh conditions, and limited healthcare access.

• Market Dynamics and Consumer Preferences: Trade policies and agreements impact agricultural markets and food prices. Additionally, shifting consumer demand for healthier, sustainable, and locally sourced foods presents both challenges and opportunities for producers.

Building a More Resilient Food System

A resilient food system must adapt to these challenges through a systemic approach based on:

• Analyzing trade-offs across food production and supply chains

• Understanding the role of the entire food system in food security

• Focusing on long-term outcomes rather than short-term gains

• Strengthening North American collaboration to inform public policy and attract investment

The agri-food system needs transformative change, recognizing the interconnectivity of North American nations in the global food system and defining strategic actions to ensure food production over the next 20 years.

Improving financial access for small-scale farmers is a key step. The USDA Microloan Program has successfully issued over 8,400 loans, providing up to US$50,000 to small and beginner farmers through a simplified process. Community-based financial models, such as Peru’s Uniones de Crédito y Ahorro (Únicas), have also proven effective by offering low-interest loans without requiring traditional banking guarantees. Integrating similar initiatives in North America can enhance financial resilience and expand sustainable farming practices.

Key Transformation Actions:

• Implementing regenerative agriculture with soil health assessments

• Measuring water and carbon footprints along the supply chain to build sustainable economic models

• Complying with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards by integrating producers, supply chains, and financial services

Mexico’s Unique Challenges

In Mexico, the diverse food production system, characterized by 5 million small growers cultivating on 2-20 hectare plots, presents unique challenges. Key priorities include:

• Technology transfer with a holistic approach

• Strengthening value chain integration in agri-food exports, which reached US$53.949 billion, reflecting a surplus of US$8.665 billion (Source: GCMA)

• Boosting productivity through soil regeneration, integrated pest management, biodiversity conservation, and water efficiency

Climate change, manifested through droughts, floods, and extreme weather events like El Niño and La Niña, significantly impacts food production. It is crucial to:

• Develop strategies to maintain competitiveness amid emerging pests and diseases

• Expand digital solutions and financing mechanisms for all levels of production

A systemic approach should consider local ecosystems (soil, water, biodiversity) while aligning with international standards for scalability.

Governments play a key role in ensuring food security through:

• Monitoring and technology adoption to anticipate pests and diseases

• Robust scientific protocols in collaboration with R&D institutions and private industry

• Regulatory frameworks that support feasible sustainability strategies

• Coordination with institutions like CIMMYT for evidence-based policy recommendations

A Shared Vision for the Future

It is essential to recognize that our food system is interconnected and requires a unified North American approach.

Beyond geopolitical risks that could disrupt international agreements, priorities include:

• Strengthening trade opportunities in key markets

• Diversifying markets and positioning the food system as a tool to fight hunger and poverty

One of the key takeaways is the collective acknowledgment of our interconnected food system and the urgent need for a coordinated North American approach.

Strategic communication is vital to shift the narrative from purely production-focused KPIs to integrating social and environmental benefits. Engaging growers, supply chain stakeholders, and policymakers in this discussion will create a stronger, more sustainable food system.

The National Agricultural Council of Mexico has launched a strategy to highlight best practices in environmental, social, and economic dimensions, aligning with the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.

In summary, strengthening our food system requires a shared vision that anticipates future threats, accelerates technology adoption, addresses labor challenges, fosters competitive trade structures, and establishes common sustainability standards for water, soil, and biodiversity.