An unconditional basic income is necessary but insufficient to transition towards just food futures

Authors

  • Elaine Power Queens University
  • Aric McBay

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15353/cfs-rcea.v9i2.533

Keywords:

basic income, just food futures, rural vitality, food system justice, family farmers

Abstract

In food systems scholarship, the case for basic income to reduce food insecurity is well-established. Less well-appreciated is the potential for basic income to support young farmers, improve rural vitality, promote gender equality and racial justice in agriculture, and assist farmers in building resilience in the face of climate chaos and other overlapping crises. In and of itself, basic income cannot transform the food system. However, by guaranteeing an income floor and thus freedom from necessity, it could be a potent tool in radical, democratic struggles against systems of oppression and towards justice—in the food system and beyond.

A visual map of the Towards Just Food Futures workshop. Headings and drawings reflect the struggles for food justice.

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Published

2022-07-15

How to Cite

Power, E., & McBay, A. (2022). An unconditional basic income is necessary but insufficient to transition towards just food futures. Canadian Food Studies La Revue Canadienne Des études Sur l’alimentation, 9(2), 31–37. https://doi.org/10.15353/cfs-rcea.v9i2.533

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2022): Towards Just Food Futures: Divergent approaches and possibilities for collaboration across difference

Section

Themed Section

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Elaine Power, Aric McBay

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