tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35390114916341258892024-03-27T19:42:00.180-07:00ECV OntarioECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-13630775801428036312024-03-11T11:23:00.000-07:002024-03-11T11:23:45.169-07:00Cup of Excellence: The Journey of the Perfect Sip<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13t_LjvFmkbeARZo2arHZS5XOITFIpEHhg5_2PkVlkQHZfxqNjdkZbglmmyx7q3IpWvLQ-IEBmudRVpauvkrHVzN6qWSB3lx2eUrHBJ7SR4Ct37UJaZ7YwLK51Mo9dn5tusMFsl1Hr4SiRE5al1vGOK51nzj5xJZ58-SSjOEasWStUUgy8azoPvUOGJvl/s1600/Assortment%20of%20Single%20Origin%20Coffee%20in%20a%20%20Caf%C3%A9%20,%20Guelph,%20Canada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13t_LjvFmkbeARZo2arHZS5XOITFIpEHhg5_2PkVlkQHZfxqNjdkZbglmmyx7q3IpWvLQ-IEBmudRVpauvkrHVzN6qWSB3lx2eUrHBJ7SR4Ct37UJaZ7YwLK51Mo9dn5tusMFsl1Hr4SiRE5al1vGOK51nzj5xJZ58-SSjOEasWStUUgy8azoPvUOGJvl/s320/Assortment%20of%20Single%20Origin%20Coffee%20in%20a%20%20Caf%C3%A9%20,%20Guelph,%20Canada.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assortment of Single Origin Coffees (Planet Bean, Guelph)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">I would not call myself a
coffee fanatic, yet it has become a regular part of my routine ever since I
began working on my research paper.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Gradually,
coffee transitioned from a simple morning ritual to an energy companion in my
quest for catching ideas and focus. It became the backdrop against which my
ideas grew, offering clarity and inspiration amidst the chaos of thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">My journey with coffee
was mostly manifested by the convenience of instant varieties until one of my
mentors introduced me to the intricate world of single-origin coffees.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The term "Single-origin coffee" was new to
me, which refers to coffee sourced exclusively from a single location, as
opposed to blends from various places. This was my first experience trying two
distinct coffees from different regions: Las Numbes from Costa Rica and
Ethiopian Yirgacheffe from Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee seemed
somewhat intense flavor profile, with nutty, bitter, and astringent notes, in
contrast to the Las Numbes coffee. This experience allowed me to taste the
unique flavors and qualities inherent to these specific coffee sources.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElj9UBKPTv5QyxZeAGlzT69yWBaw1Z7ZhhrLEwZ6SzUaFYHZoxDZNKZBzoVpgrLNlH_KSvdfr5FvsnUg1FBTAqWndFxej10Zz084JquBElgBwQqJaGN73sdirsiJeVI9togtDqMNJJESoLLRldRJB6KbLyhlEh6Eb_FLK-kKm2sRwGadbLBlvzOYDTQfS/s1600/Ethiopian%20Dark%20Sidamo%20serevd%20in%20a%20Mug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElj9UBKPTv5QyxZeAGlzT69yWBaw1Z7ZhhrLEwZ6SzUaFYHZoxDZNKZBzoVpgrLNlH_KSvdfr5FvsnUg1FBTAqWndFxej10Zz084JquBElgBwQqJaGN73sdirsiJeVI9togtDqMNJJESoLLRldRJB6KbLyhlEh6Eb_FLK-kKm2sRwGadbLBlvzOYDTQfS/s320/Ethiopian%20Dark%20Sidamo%20serevd%20in%20a%20Mug.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethiopian Dark Sidamo: Served in a Mug</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">In a world where digital
connectivity flourishes yet personal bonds often wither, a simple invitation to
"Let's get coffee” shines as a ray of hope.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">
It offers an entrance into</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> the tapestry of dialogue, a call to forge real
connections over cups filled with warmth.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The reason for visiting a coffee shop extends beyond
just drinking coffee or savoring its taste. It encompasses a range of
intangible elements like the environment, quality of service, a space for
relaxation or de-stressing, a setting favorable to work, business dealings, and
social meetings. These aspects collectively contribute to the coffee shop
experience. An intriguing aspect that I have noticed that enhances the coffee
experience is the importance of presentation and the choice of serving cups or
mugs. The shape, color, and size of these pots vary to complement the specific
variety of coffee being served, adding an extra dimension to the overall coffee
delight.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The art of preparing
specialty coffee is a tribute to the detailed and intense process of creating
the ultimate brew.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The practice, which I refer to as
"Coffee Craft," embodies more than just the act of making coffee,
transforming beans into a delightful experience. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">This process encompasses
everything from harvesting and drying to the final roasting stage. When the
coffee beans are harvested, dried, and prepared for roasting, they possess a
greenish-olive color like that of a pumpkin seed. At the packaging level or in
cafes, coffees are often categorized by their roast levels: "light,"
"medium," or "dark." These classifications go beyond just
the visual aspect of the brewed coffee. They indicate the duration of the
coffee beans spent inside the hot roaster. The more time beans spend in the
roaster, the darker they become, this process is referred to as caramelization,
which profoundly influences the flavor profile. Initially, 20 grams of
medium-roasted coffee beans for each variety are ground. Then, hot water is
poured over the coffee grounds. The coffee is then extracted through a filter.
An interesting phenomenon occurs when hot water first contacts the coffee
grounds in the filter, resulting in a "Bloom." This Bloom is caused
by the release of carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) from the coffee grounds.
Properly extracted coffee boasts a rich and aromatic taste.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzU9QOC8RVL1T2jGPNcAQola9Kd841Fa6w4gnHOVkeUG4HmC_SSk1oN-zpdIKYo9NiUG0fmBOme-WVrIlfG7sOPhjq2eyXOCu1Z01P5JMXSvtsAJAMxhx-wXtUbNqfblBDN2wM_cq6Ebc073ysd9BBvDP6Dcqb_MTcP4s_AJCxiRS6TNuX1M3jUVuN49c/s1600/Coffee%20Bloom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzU9QOC8RVL1T2jGPNcAQola9Kd841Fa6w4gnHOVkeUG4HmC_SSk1oN-zpdIKYo9NiUG0fmBOme-WVrIlfG7sOPhjq2eyXOCu1Z01P5JMXSvtsAJAMxhx-wXtUbNqfblBDN2wM_cq6Ebc073ysd9BBvDP6Dcqb_MTcP4s_AJCxiRS6TNuX1M3jUVuN49c/s320/Coffee%20Bloom.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee Bloom </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">I truly enjoyed this
coffee exploration journey. It was such an enlightening experience for me. The
concept of Third Wave Coffee has the potential to significantly influence the
supply chain, benefiting both the coffee farmers and retailers.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The act of consuming coffee could leave a profound impact
on creating value for the farmers involved.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">This insight made me think that buying coffee is
beyond merely enjoying a brew.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">This shift in outlook has
led me to view consuming coffee as a chance to make a positive impact on the
lives of those who bring it to our cups.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Mahbuba Airin<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Graduate Student, CDE |
ECVOntario <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">SEDRD, University of
Guelph<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-48885137946919931942023-11-11T07:42:00.003-08:002023-11-11T17:58:54.441-08:00Behind the Aroma Podcast Notes for Season 02 Episode 05: Smuggling of Foods<p style="text-align: left;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxZo6DXeae7hns0uoWGs9QAUUDzjzu18qpbloZj_wny_UoQafrTHddmNJOoU2mUUzaEe1dNpphLOyq-zPKhGw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: times;">Bibliography:<br /></span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: times;"> <br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: times;">Adekunle B (np). 1999 – 2018 documentation by Bamidele Adekunle.<br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: times;"> <br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: times;">Adekunle, B. (2010). The joint border post at ECOWAS borders. Nigerian Tribune.<br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: times;"> <br /></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span lang="EN-US">Adekunle, B. (2010). Towards securing ECOWAS borders. This Day; All Africa.com </span><span lang="EN-US"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://allafrica.com/stories/201004300459.html&source=gmail&ust=1699803645159000&usg=AOvVaw0yqSUGA16opI4MaepMRAn3" href="https://allafrica.com/stories/201004300459.html" style="color: blue;" target="_blank"><span>West Africa: Towards Securing Ecowas Borders - allAfrica.com<br /></span></a></span></span><em><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: times; font-style: normal;"> <br /></span></em><span style="font-family: times;"><span lang="EN-US">Adekunle, B and Filson G. (2015). What African countries must do to boost trade among themselves. <i>The conversation</i>. </span><span lang="EN-US"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://theconversation.com/what-african-countries-must-do-to-boost-trade-among-themselves-44090&source=gmail&ust=1699803645159000&usg=AOvVaw3nTBnLZByovVfhJXTqweu8" href="https://theconversation.com/what-african-countries-must-do-to-boost-trade-among-themselves-44090" style="color: blue;" target="_blank"><span>What African countries must do to boost trade among themselves (theconversation.com)<br /></span></a></span></span><em><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: times; font-style: normal;"> <br /></span></em><span style="font-family: times;">Alawode, B. (2020, September 23). How to Pack for your trip to Canada- Food you can and can’t bring into Canada from Africa (2022). </span><i style="font-family: times;">Mychopchop</i><span style="font-family: times;">. </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.mychopchop.ca/blogs/my-recipes-tips/how-to-pack-for-your-trip-to-canada-food-you-can-and-can-t-bring-into-canada-from-africa&source=gmail&ust=1699803645159000&usg=AOvVaw3CR7N1-ly_gAPdkCr4iy_2" href="https://www.mychopchop.ca/blogs/my-recipes-tips/how-to-pack-for-your-trip-to-canada-food-you-can-and-can-t-bring-into-canada-from-africa" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: times;" target="_blank">https://www.mychopchop.ca/<wbr></wbr>blogs/my-recipes-tips/how-to-<wbr></wbr>pack-for-your-trip-to-canada-<wbr></wbr>food-you-can-and-can-t-bring-<wbr></wbr>into-canada-from-africa<br /></a><em><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: times; font-style: normal;"> <br /></span></em><span style="font-family: times;"><em><span lang="EN-US">Arise News – Customs Boss Warns Against Smuggling- Bashir Adeniyi. </span></em><span lang="EN-US"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DuKobxjWQytw&source=gmail&ust=1699803645159000&usg=AOvVaw3hKSiypHx8ltFC5PI7BkJE" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKobxjWQytw" style="color: blue;" target="_blank"><span>Customs Boss Warns Against Smuggling - Bashir Adeniyi - YouTube<br /></span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: times;"> <br /></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span lang="EN-US"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199730414/obo-9780199730414-0197.xml%23obo-9780199730414-0197-bibItem-0037&source=gmail&ust=1699803645159000&usg=AOvVaw1bVdNBxN0mGaDwULJLoR-d" href="https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199730414/obo-9780199730414-0197.xml#obo-9780199730414-0197-bibItem-0037" style="color: blue;" target="_blank"><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;">Banks (2005</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">)<span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;"> cited under </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199730414/obo-9780199730414-0197.xml%23obo-9780199730414-0197-div2-0005&source=gmail&ust=1699803645159000&usg=AOvVaw0xSXun2xDK94cQxWmMytmU" href="https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199730414/obo-9780199730414-0197.xml#obo-9780199730414-0197-div2-0005" style="color: blue;" target="_blank"><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;">British Illicit Trade with Spanish America<br /></span></a></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: times;"> <br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: times;">Baumol. 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London : George Allen<br /></span><em><span lang="EN-US" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: times; font-style: normal;"> <br /></span></em><span style="font-family: times;"><em><span lang="EN-US" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0cm;">Eugene R.H. 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Food and Fertilizer Technology Center for the Asian and Pacific Region.</span><span lang="EN-US"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ap.fftc.org.tw/article/1867&source=gmail&ust=1699803645159000&usg=AOvVaw2wC1kY-20s3CBTa6P3Dt3L" href="https://ap.fftc.org.tw/article/1867" style="color: blue;" target="_blank"><span lang="ES">https://ap.fftc.org.tw/<wbr></wbr>article/1867</span></a></span></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><span>Limited, B. P. P. C. (n.d.). Pork smuggling into Thailand soars. <i>Bangkok Post</i>. 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(2002). Europe and China compared.<i style="box-sizing: border-box;"> Review - Fernand Braudel Center for the Study of Economies, Historical Systems, and Civilizations, 25</i>(4), 401-449.</span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times; text-align: justify;">Otuh, P. I., Ogunro, B., & Etim, E. (2013). </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: times; text-align: justify;">Formaldehyde Levels in Imported Frozen Poultry Meat in Ibadan, Nigeria: Its Public Health Implications</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: times; text-align: justify;">.</span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span lang="EN-US">Rosenberger, Bree (2020). "The British Smuggling Dilemma: 1698-1784," International ResearchScape Journal: Vol. 7, Article 5. DOI: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://doi.org/10.25035/irj.07.01.05&source=gmail&ust=1699803645159000&usg=AOvVaw3dlGC_q_kg7YA20AP84QIP" href="https://doi.org/10.25035/irj.07.01.05" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.25035/irj.<wbr></wbr>07.01.05</a> Available at: </span><span lang="EN-US"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/irj/vol7/iss1/5&source=gmail&ust=1699803645159000&usg=AOvVaw1wT5KRMtamUUhj0IN-U_Ps" href="https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/irj/vol7/iss1/5" style="color: blue;" target="_blank"><span>https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/<wbr></wbr>irj/vol7/iss1/5</span></a></span></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>Youngman, A. (1908). The Fortune of John Jacob Astor. <i>Journal of Political Economy</i>, <i>16</i>(6), 345–368. </span><span lang="EN-US"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.jstor.org/stable/1820664&source=gmail&ust=1699803645159000&usg=AOvVaw3p6pttruPA2jXp1O1BjHPD" href="http://www.jstor.org/stable/1820664" style="color: blue;" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">http://www.jstor.org/stable/<wbr></wbr>1820664</span></a></span></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">To listen to this episode: <a href="https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/qDi97QXUDEb">https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/qDi97QXUDEb</a></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><br /><p style="text-align: left;"></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-48885312994548441842023-08-16T15:56:00.002-07:002023-08-16T15:56:38.332-07:00Behind the Aroma Podcast Notes for Season 02 Episode 04: Technology and Food<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dybozBWKr7aiQHXY6J6jpg4cb56VjpzM2NuYPA6Cqk-t_TJrGSVA-ayjGhP2SY6MkOthhWSxCQ_FuHVvEGC_Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: black;">Bibliography:</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt;"><span style="color: black;">Adekunle, B. (2018a, June 7). <i>Digital payment, ethnocultural food and alternative agriculture</i>. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://evcontario2011.blogspot.com/2018/06/digital-payment-ethnocultural-food-and.html&source=gmail&ust=1692312969600000&usg=AOvVaw2bub7xZqK-4Q9-wXHTVhyw" href="https://evcontario2011.blogspot.com/2018/06/digital-payment-ethnocultural-food-and.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://evcontario2011.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/2018/06/digital-<wbr></wbr>payment-ethnocultural-food-<wbr></wbr>and.html</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt;"><span style="color: black;">Adekunle, B. 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ECVOntario. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://evcontario2011.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-logic.html&source=gmail&ust=1692312969600000&usg=AOvVaw0qTP8-HFZ269hFRmhrChLe" href="https://evcontario2011.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-logic.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://evcontario2011.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/2019/06/the-<wbr></wbr>logic.html</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt;"><span style="color: black;">Adekunle, & Kajumba. (2020). 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The effect of expiration dates and perceived risk on purchasing behavior in grocery store perishable categories. <i>Journal of Marketing</i>, <i>69</i>(2), 114–129. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://doi.org/10.1509/jmkg.69.2.114.60762&source=gmail&ust=1692312969601000&usg=AOvVaw0TpDDewpK3SBWbUevfUzr3" href="https://doi.org/10.1509/jmkg.69.2.114.60762" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.1509/jmkg.<wbr></wbr>69.2.114.60762</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt;"><span style="color: black;">Verploegen, E. (2021, April 9). Clay Pot Coolers: Keep produce fresh without. . . <i>Engineering For Change</i>. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.engineeringforchange.org/news/clay-pot-coolers-keep-produce-fresh-without-electricity/&source=gmail&ust=1692312969601000&usg=AOvVaw1_nAHBmiJQbD5lXNme1XoT" href="https://www.engineeringforchange.org/news/clay-pot-coolers-keep-produce-fresh-without-electricity/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>engineeringforchange.org/news/<wbr></wbr>clay-pot-coolers-keep-produce-<wbr></wbr>fresh-without-electricity/</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt;"><i><span style="color: black;">WeChat Palm Payment Is Finally Coming, Leave Your Phone At Home!</span></i><span style="color: black;"> (2023, March 30). Weixin Official Accounts Platform. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz%3DMzkwMzQ0OTg2NA%3D%3D%26mid%3D2247615168%26idx%3D1%26sn%3D576deb4d7ff09b581911c1adce2e4fca%26source%3D41%23wechat_redirect&source=gmail&ust=1692312969601000&usg=AOvVaw1z_ELIM_A000xO95TFIt8N" href="https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzkwMzQ0OTg2NA==&mid=2247615168&idx=1&sn=576deb4d7ff09b581911c1adce2e4fca&source=41#wechat_redirect" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__<wbr></wbr>biz=MzkwMzQ0OTg2NA==&mid=<wbr></wbr>2247615168&idx=1&sn=<wbr></wbr>576deb4d7ff09b581911c1adce2e4f<wbr></wbr>ca&source=41#wechat_redirect</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;">To listen to this episode:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0cm;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ecvontario/episodes/S02-E04-Technology-and-Food-e286leu&source=gmail&ust=1692312969601000&usg=AOvVaw2kcrtebgRO-Jn474m0qtw8" href="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ecvontario/episodes/S02-E04-Technology-and-Food-e286leu" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://podcasters.spotify.<wbr></wbr>com/pod/show/ecvontario/<wbr></wbr>episodes/S02-E04-Technology-<wbr></wbr>and-Food-e286leu</a></p><p><br /></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-56018902612022082212023-08-09T20:32:00.001-07:002023-10-21T15:33:47.125-07:00Understanding the Consumption of Tea: Black, White, Green or Oolong? <p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kAlgljZfdCc7IfG4x-d8oRESRSzMJVt3SuGJxoXJ1jFzS5bihlBpG9S1Qo7_petY98xKn2gvUMd-pVTDkQM7G9Pqmuh_XqVcA0lCoAUQ81xYge_9ZygqNGbn12NbeFzAcYL3GJvLdfw6cu-rv-UK4PcKZNjOceGdKYdQxLAV_F3DMEo0ok1oIWDJ8KpM/s1593/Different%20types%20of%20teas.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1593" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kAlgljZfdCc7IfG4x-d8oRESRSzMJVt3SuGJxoXJ1jFzS5bihlBpG9S1Qo7_petY98xKn2gvUMd-pVTDkQM7G9Pqmuh_XqVcA0lCoAUQ81xYge_9ZygqNGbn12NbeFzAcYL3GJvLdfw6cu-rv-UK4PcKZNjOceGdKYdQxLAV_F3DMEo0ok1oIWDJ8KpM/s320/Different%20types%20of%20teas.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Different types of teas</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Tea (<i>Camellia sinensis</i>) is a beverage loved by
people all over the world, though at different levels of affinity. I believe my
love for tea started as a toddler who will wake up at the middle of the night
to impress it on my aunties to make tea for me. Later in life, tea became
something I drink only for breakfast. As I became a traveler, researcher and global
learner, tea became part of my staple including the influence of my colleagues
in the graduate school who always enjoy tea at any time of the day. On one
fateful day during grad school, I remember ordering chai tea latte and Makau Nzuma
informed me that the meaning of<i> chai</i> is tea so <i>chai tea</i> is a
tautology (repetition). Moreover, in one of my essays, I alluded to the fact
that </span><a href="https://theconversation.com/how-technology-can-help-nations-navigate-the-difficult-path-to-food-sovereignty-66324"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">we consume the same thing even though preparation and
name my differ</span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. Whether it is <i>chai</i>
(e.g. Indians, Arabs, and East Africans), <i>cha</i> (e.g. Bangladeshis and Chinese),
<i>chay</i> (Russians and Ukrainians), <i>te</i> (e.g. Italians, and Spanish), <i>the</i>
(French) <i>tsaa</i> (Filipinos), these different ethnocultural groups are referring
to the same beverage that is highly desirable to their gastronomy. To the
specialty cafés and food franchises, chai tea latte is a blend of black tea and
spices.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://youtu.be/LaLvVc1sS20"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
story of tea started from China and has migrated to other parts of the world</span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. The popularity started with matcha thus
strengthening the Chinese tea culture. It was during the 9<sup>th</sup> century
that a Japanese monk, from China, started growing the plant in Japan and a
unique ritual was developed around the consumption of tea. Dutch traders were
the first set of people to import tea to Europe in the 17<sup>th</sup> century.
Tea was a major trade commodity during this period, thus leading to intense
competition among the western countries to outcompete China. </span><a href="https://youtu.be/LaLvVc1sS20"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
competition was so stiff that Britain suggested a trade based on barter to
exchange opium for tea</span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, an
arrangement that led to public health problems in China. To curtail the
challenges associated with the consumption of opium, a cargo of opium was
destroyed at the port of China and this led to the opium war. This war weakened
China’s global power for more than a century. To further reduce the Chinese
monopoly power, tea plants and experienced tea growers were smuggled out of
China to Darjeeling, India under the British control (via The British East
Indian Company). This spread of tea plantation continued across borders. In
fact, an emeritus professor from Chennai, told me it was the British who moved
a huge number of Tamils from Tamil Nādu to work on tea plantations in Sri
Lanka. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzDPuPt8kFC0a5K1VyzH88krctlnQQwmYOHEI6zgstDduGNY9kisGacesaxfot91qisvoFDvgggWdcWwRyPHp7eRI89wxzuLDMI6hgxgNEmhUb6xz5PxolePO9FhPYmkWGa6nQP3s7bOp4wbykaUrsXV3KT_1FrUGDhxty41i_vuDc5pESm0a29eNuMHw/s1600/Processed%20tea%20leaves.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1600" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzDPuPt8kFC0a5K1VyzH88krctlnQQwmYOHEI6zgstDduGNY9kisGacesaxfot91qisvoFDvgggWdcWwRyPHp7eRI89wxzuLDMI6hgxgNEmhUb6xz5PxolePO9FhPYmkWGa6nQP3s7bOp4wbykaUrsXV3KT_1FrUGDhxty41i_vuDc5pESm0a29eNuMHw/s320/Processed%20tea%20leaves.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Processed tea leaves</td></tr></tbody></table><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">As my curiosity for consumption of desirable tea develops,
I kept looking for teas that are sustainable for both the environment and the
farmers cultivating the land. Based on my inclination and convictions, I made
sure I buy and drink teas that are ethically produced, organic and artisanal.
But the challenge is that it is difficult to monitor what operates along the
value chain and certification is not necessarily a panacea. In other words, </span><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/14SFW2iMplE52PBZyMddji"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">opacity and food authenticity are inversely related</span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">. Based on these challenges I decided to explore a </span><a href="https://youtu.be/XuENzXlm1R0"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">sustainable
tea farm</span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">, Renegade farm, in
Imereti, Georgia as a plot adopter. This arrangement allows me to support
sustainable production of tea, share the risk involved in tea production with
the growers, contribute to biodiversity, and get a box of four types of teas at
the end of the year. This is a variation of </span><a href="https://evcontario2011.blogspot.com/2018/06/digital-payment-ethnocultural-food-and.html"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">community shared agriculture</span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> on a global scale.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Renegade Tea Estate was established in 2017 with
the idea to build a platform where customers will drink tea that they were
involved in the production. They have made adopters like myself to have an idea
of the processes involved in growing our tea even though the farm is more than
8900 kilometers away. In five years, 2022, the farm has grown to 1500 families
who have chosen to adopt their tea gardens. Adoption varies from more than 20
years to one season. The philosophy behind their activities is transparency,
small production instead of mass production of food, and the practice of
alternative agriculture. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5_ClpC42lj3WCRTZm7IUA_6UN8EXjoqDslcdfEFe2a6PzHwiiuwpb9pN-s1Rk659XFyjPKTKiJr4ILXzPcm1sdns5bfIjwpASUA_enGOV6bX1mGvlA4Hyg0edagzVTl1kLmYL-7BpMGEM09GbqSRZ2BXlRqDmgA8N7E12n0-L-GZusoU8qAdlhSG5dPF/s1509/Adopted%20tea%20plot%20-%20Renegade%20Farms.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="1134" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5_ClpC42lj3WCRTZm7IUA_6UN8EXjoqDslcdfEFe2a6PzHwiiuwpb9pN-s1Rk659XFyjPKTKiJr4ILXzPcm1sdns5bfIjwpASUA_enGOV6bX1mGvlA4Hyg0edagzVTl1kLmYL-7BpMGEM09GbqSRZ2BXlRqDmgA8N7E12n0-L-GZusoU8qAdlhSG5dPF/s320/Adopted%20tea%20plot%20-%20Renegade%20Farms.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adopted tea plot: Renegade Farms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My box is packed with well processed, chemical free
and handpicked tea from my plot as designated by the tea farm. I have these
four teas in my subscription: <a href="file:///C:/Users/Owner/Dropbox/SSHRC-IDG%202%20(Asymmetric)/Consumption%20of%20Tea.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">1. Prodigy Mesame: <i>oolong tea</i> – floral, fresh
and fruity. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">2. Sunset Garden: <i>green tea</i> - mellow, fresh and
intense (slightly bitter) taste as you swallow.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">3. Georgian Breakfast: <i>black tea</i> – brisk, full
bodied and <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">4. Imereti Summer: <i>white tea</i> – light, mild, fresh,
and not strong. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I like the tea from Renegade because they have their
specific taste and batches taste slightly different. What a privilege to be
able to participate in this initiative. It is all about experimentation which
is a very important concept in this century with respect to gastronomy.
Furthermore, there is emphasis on no pesticides, herbicides and non-organic
fertilizers. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I will continue to improve my tea consumption in a
sustainable way by exploring specialty cafes and hanging with people from
different parts of the world. As I mentioned earlier, people’s consumption of
tea varies as a result of their culture, education, class, background and
travel experiences. My observation in South West Nigeria is that consumption of
tea is not that popular except among the elites. The general population prefer
hot drinks from local grains like corn (maize), millet, or guinea corn. But the
situation is different in East and Southern Africa where people consume several
cups of tea in a day. This was based on my personal experiences in Arusha, Dar
es Salaam, Moshi, Mombasa, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban. In fact,
during my stay in Arusha in 2008 teaching graduate students in economics from
more than 10 African universities, I started drinking tea more than five times a day
with hot milk (not water!). As stated in
the essay “A Somali Breakfast’ </span><a href="https://evcontario2011.blogspot.com/2022/04/a-somali-breakfast.html"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">preferences
for tea is a reflection of the influence of the colonization</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> for
most cultures and people. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">If you ask for my preference, I
will say I have acquired a taste for <i>black tea</i>, I tolerate <i>white tea</i>
easily, I forget <i>oolong</i> is caffeinated and I still struggle to
appreciate <i>green tea</i>. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk142399507"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Bamidele Adekunle|IRG &
ECVOntario|SEDRD|University of Guelph.<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></b></p><p>
</p><div><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Owner/Dropbox/SSHRC-IDG%202%20(Asymmetric)/Consumption%20of%20Tea.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
All the teas have smoky aroma. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div><p><br /></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-13358593754887361882023-06-29T16:45:00.004-07:002023-07-06T09:37:35.176-07:00Behind the Aroma Podcast Notes for Season 02 Episode 03: Opacity and Food Authenticity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz8GfWrqVeoSt7jAo-ISRVS5Pl6wo7Sc7YnG8zmoU8tzGUu0rIRncddmu8k4RLg5-IRqhp4PXqbbtFT0d2uoQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Bibliography</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Adekunle, (2020). </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Butcher’s Impressions. (2020, February 23). <i>ECV Ontario</i>. </span><a href="https://evcontario2011.blogspot.com/2020/02/the-butchers-impressions.html" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">https://evcontario2011.blogspot.com/2020/02/the-butchers-impressions.html</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Adekunle, (2018). 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Almost No Muslim Country Among Top 10 Halal Product Exporters.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Halal Times</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">. https://www.halaltimes.com/muslim-country-among-top-10-halal-products-exporters/</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Akerlof, G. A. (1970). 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(2015, August 24). <i>Yearly food-borne illness estimates for Canada</i> [Education and awareness]. </span><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/food-borne-illness-canada/yearly-food-borne-illness-estimates-canada.html" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/food-borne-illness-canada/yearly-food-borne-illness-estimates-canada.html</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">DW Documentary. (2022, April 16).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tea: New ideas for the world‘s second most popular drink | DW Documentary</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">[Video]. YouTube.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuENzXlm1R0" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuENzXlm1R0</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Georgian State Folk Song and Dance Ensemble - Free Music Archive</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">. (n.d.). https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Georgian_State_Folk_Song_and_Dance_Ensemble/bio</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hanner, R. University of Guelph study: 14% of sausages contain unlabelled meats. Guelph Mercury. Sunday, Feb 17, 2019. Updated Mar 25, 2023. </span><a href="https://www.guelphmercury.com/news/u-of-guelph-study-14-of-sausages-contain-unlabelled-meats/article_8798c0a4-cd33-592f-ab82-f5b740c730f5.html?" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">U of Guelph study: 14% of sausages contain unlabelled meats (guelphmercury.com)</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jahn, G., Schramm, M., & Spiller, A. (2005). The Reliability of Certification: Quality Labels as a Consumer Policy Tool. <i>Journal of Consumer Policy</i>, <i>28</i>(1), 53–73. </span><a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10603-004-7298-6" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">https://doi.org/10.1007/s10603-004-7298-6</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Professor Adekunle’s communications with the research team (2018 - 2022).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Regenstein J. M., Chaudry M. M., and Regenstein C. E. (2003). The Kosher and Halal Food Laws. </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety</i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 2:111-127.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Seto Chris - Guelph Mercury. Do you know what you’re eating? Guelph researcher leads talk on food fraud. </span><a href="https://www.guelphmercury.com/news/do-you-know-what-youre-eating-guelph-researcher-leads-talk-on-food-fraud/article_56799d38-bec3-57c6-90b0-33b012f3d967.html?" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Do you know what you're eating? Guelph researcher leads talk on food fraud (guelphmercury.com)</span></a><span style="background: rgb(246, 246, 246); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt; line-height: 17.12px;">. Published Monday, Feb 24, 2020.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Singh, M. (n.d.).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sweet little lies: Maple syrup fraud undermines the authenticity of Canada’s ‘liquid gold.’</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/sweet-little-lies-maple-syrup-fraud-undermines-the-authenticity-of-canadas-liquid-gold-201343</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2021<i> | Food Safety and Inspection Service</i>. (n.d.). Retrieved May 6, 2023, from </span><a href="http://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/recalls-public-health-alerts/annual-recall-summaries/summary-recall-cases-calendar-8" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/recalls-public-health-alerts/annual-recall-summaries/summary-recall-cases-calendar-8</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Taleb, N. N. (2018). Skin in the Game: Hidden Asymmetries in Daily Life. New York: Allen Lane.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Uganda. (n.d.). Report on International Religious Freedom: Uganda. <i>United States Department of State</i>. Retrieved May 6, 2023, from </span><a href="https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/uganda/" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/uganda/</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">University of Guelph. (2019, February 14). </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Researcher Finds 14% of Canadian Sausages Mislabelled, Down from Last U of G Study</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">. U Of G News. https://news.uoguelph.ca/2019/02/researcher-finds-14-of-sausages-mislabelled-in-canada-down-from-last-u-of-g-study/</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -48px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -48px;">To listen to this episode: https://radiopublic.com/behind-the-aroma-6Lzn0Q/s1!62ac2</span></div>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-89263643390573862122023-04-23T23:26:00.002-07:002023-04-23T23:32:27.908-07:00Behind the Aroma Podcast Notes for Season 02 Episode 02: Capitalism and our Food System<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz2okblC1MWrF1tX0xAL4IMlt8l0CfKUGOwL_6rcDbaSYZxxcRQewu585yZwnNTcfnQJTfyV65zrUpeXb2ZSw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Bibliography</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ben Ali, S.-E., Madi, Z. 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Hochegger, R., Quist, D., Prewein, B., Haslberger, A. G., & Brandes, C.
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Sebikejje, T., Naluyimba, R., Otim, A., Pariyo, A., & Maphosa, M. (2019).
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Are the Secrets to Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Success. </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The New York Times</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/05/books/review/robin-wall-kimmerer-braiding-sweetgrass.html</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jones, H. D. (2003). Genetic
modification | Transformation, General Principles. In B. Thomas (Ed.),
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colonialism</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">. Le Monde Diplomatique. </span><a href="https://mondediplo.com/2017/06/12Tomatoes" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">https://mondediplo.com/2017/06/12Tomatoes</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Maria Pla and Jose Luis La Paz
(2012). Insert Stability and Transgenic Plant Risk. Encyclopedia of
Biotechnology in Agriculture and Food</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mbando, D. (2020, February 6). </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">How the world’s largest
companies can help Africa’s farmers</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/03/how-the-worlds-largest-companies-can-help-africas-farmers/</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">McCabe, M. S., Mohapatra, U. B.,
Debnath, S. C., Brian Power, J., & Davey, M. R. (1999). Integration,
expression and inheritance of two linked T-DNA marker genes in transgenic
lettuce. Molecular Breeding, 5(4), 329–344. </span><a href="https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009681615365" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span color="windowtext" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration-line: none;">https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009681615365</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ngo, L. (2022, February 1). </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">How the Pandemic Affected
Restaurants and Cafes</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">.
https://evcontario2011.blogspot.com/2022/02/how-pandemic-affected-restaurants-and.html</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Great Transformation by Karl Polanyi: 9780807056431
| PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">. (2001, March 28). PenguinRandomhouse.com.
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/206182/the-great-transformation-by-karl-polanyi/</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Omnivore’s Dilemma - Michael Pollan</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">. (2021, May
1). Michael Pollan. https://michaelpollan.com/books/the-omnivores-dilemma/</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Winson, A. (2022, July 26). </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Industrial Diet</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">.
University of Chicago Press.
https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/I/bo70049278.html</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; text-indent: -48px;">To listen to this episode: https://radiopublic.com/behind-the-aroma-6Lzn0Q/s1!a4c38</span></div><p></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-50839543043367067132023-04-23T22:55:00.008-07:002023-04-23T23:32:13.054-07:00Behind the Aroma Podcast Notes for Season 02 Episode 01: Geographical Indications<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzSwzvIIA1KPeQJTA62U3EnO5Y5tbGzH57TGX0pBxZncvap8BJNEnxJ9eZ6B0R5VY461GdJsAtzqK5WAvQ0Rg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Bibliography</b></div><p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; tab-size: 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><i>Frequently Asked Questions: Geographical Indications</i>. (n.d.). https://www.wipo.int/geo_indications/en/faq_geographicalindications.html</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; tab-size: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -36pt;"><i>Geographical Indications</i>. (n.d.). https://www.wipo.int/geo_indications/en/</p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; tab-size: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -36pt;">Geographical Indications: An Introduction, 2nd edition. (n.d.). <i>www.wipo.int</i>. https://doi.org/10.34667/tind.44179</p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; tab-size: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -36pt;">Idapuzone. (2022, March 25). 21/03/2022-Recognition of Penja Pepper as a PGI in the European Union - oriGIn | Organization for an. <i>oriGIn | Organization for an International Geographical Indications Network</i>. https://www.origin-gi.com/recognition-of-penja-pepper-as-a-pgi-in-the-european-union/</p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; tab-size: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -36pt;"><i>Information by Country: Nigeria</i>. (n.d.). https://www.wipo.int/directory/en/details.jsp?country_code=NG</p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; tab-size: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -36pt;">Interactive, E. (2020, August 20). <i>Guji Uraga Natural Special Prep - Ally Coffee | Green Coffee</i>. Ally Coffee. https://www.allycoffee.com/coffees/guji-uraga-natural/</p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; tab-size: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -36pt;">M, R. (2022). European market: Penja pepper becomes the 1st OAPI product registered as a Protected Indication. <i>ÔCamer.com</i>. https://ocamer.com/en/news/marche-europeen-le-poivre-de-penja-devient-le-1er-produit-de-loapi-enregistre-comme-indication-protege-2/7639</p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; tab-size: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -36pt;"><i>OAPI - Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle</i>. (n.d.). http://www.oapi.int/index.php/fr/</p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; tab-size: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -36pt;"><i>TECHNOPOLICY BRIEFS – ATPS</i>. (n.d.). https://atpsnet.org/technopolicy-briefs/</p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; tab-size: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -36pt;"><i>What is Intellectual Property (IP)?</i> (n.d.). https://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/</p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; tab-size: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -36pt;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; tab-size: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -36pt;">To listen to this episode: https://radiopublic.com/behind-the-aroma-6Lzn0Q/s1!057d5</p></div><p><br /></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-26172098457467795362023-03-07T15:11:00.000-08:002023-03-07T15:11:02.129-08:00Pleasure and Hospitality: Attributes of Culturally Appropriate Foods<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4BvQ402PLDtWu2pyL0PkRKQu72j5h0zngI0F61ufvFstPmz0Ab-Bowz7ThC4judvd9p7L-DiI4Lid8fh_cdWQ-BJcdejxII4AcD9x9pFkQUMtOI1GmtzfuwQsojI05tKqPk9bs3fl1G4hRvpYHSLtVSOwwp-DWSTb7NWc88-JQPorG02mgKputzEkQ/s2048/Cha%20(Milk%20Tea),A%20popular%20drink%20in%20Bangladesh%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4BvQ402PLDtWu2pyL0PkRKQu72j5h0zngI0F61ufvFstPmz0Ab-Bowz7ThC4judvd9p7L-DiI4Lid8fh_cdWQ-BJcdejxII4AcD9x9pFkQUMtOI1GmtzfuwQsojI05tKqPk9bs3fl1G4hRvpYHSLtVSOwwp-DWSTb7NWc88-JQPorG02mgKputzEkQ/s320/Cha%20(Milk%20Tea),A%20popular%20drink%20in%20Bangladesh%20.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milk Tea: A popular beverage in Bangladesh</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
wrote this piece on a snowy late afternoon while sipping a hot cup of coffee.
Outside my window, I can see how the streets were blanketed in an enchanting
layer of white snowflakes. The snow fall reminds me of those rainy days back
home in Bangladesh where people often enjoy the melody of rain by sharing
stories, munching on warm, crispy pakoras (fritters made with vegetables, gram
flour, spices, and herbs). The taste of good food, the sound of rain, spending
time with loved ones create moments of sitting back, with joy, and contentment.
It is always memorable to observe Adda.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“<i>Adda</i>”
is a Bangla term used to refer a casual get-together with acquaintances. Adda
is one of the most popular social gatherings to unwind and unite with loved
ones. They are often organized at someone's home, where friends and family
gather to catch up and chat over a steaming cup of <i>cha</i> (tea) and snacks.
The snacks served can include <i>samosas</i> (a triangular-shaped deep-fried,
crispy pastry filled with spiced potatoes, peas, meat, or other vegetables), or
<i>Jhal Muri</i> (puffed rice, mixed with different spices, herbs, diced onion,
tomato, chili peppers, lime zest). <i>Cha</i> is a popular beverage, and its
consumption is woven into the frame of everyday life. Furthermore, it is an expression
of hospitality and warmth. There are two popular forms of Cha in the Bengali
culture: milk tea and masala tea. Milk tea is made with black tea leaves, sugar,
and milk. On the other hand, Masala tea (spiced tea) is a more flavorful
version of tea that is made with a blend of spices and herbs. The common spices
used in masala tea include ginger, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_rKT7_d8NHr97JkksVOUuVW4_3QPICN4xzZ8all6D1941UprhVEGQsz7c7PcEo9btQFbFoVIj-B0o-sSWU0ASWSQ5RRhmuaGtGsLxPyiLycFjob7itUJrUU-377Z6Bh6f5br7XF4qLfCYadC7ziHYYELYL-P14kq3QvHjBouj5SEwZ1A3xK7WJZuvw/s1024/Jhal%20Muri%20(Spicey%20Puffed%20Rice).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="982" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_rKT7_d8NHr97JkksVOUuVW4_3QPICN4xzZ8all6D1941UprhVEGQsz7c7PcEo9btQFbFoVIj-B0o-sSWU0ASWSQ5RRhmuaGtGsLxPyiLycFjob7itUJrUU-377Z6Bh6f5br7XF4qLfCYadC7ziHYYELYL-P14kq3QvHjBouj5SEwZ1A3xK7WJZuvw/s320/Jhal%20Muri%20(Spicey%20Puffed%20Rice).jpeg" width="307" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jhal Muri: Spicy Puffed Rice</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Nowadays,
having quick and lonely meal- time has become the norm due to my hectic
schedule and limited social connections. I long for the sound of laughter,
banter, and warmth of our family kitchen, where the aroma of my mother's
cooking would fill the air. Bengali cuisine reflects the harmonious balance of
flavors, and diversity inherent in the culture of Bangladesh. One of the key
elements that make it so unique and flavorful is the use of a variety of
spices, such as chilies, garlic, cumin, turmeric, ginger, coriander, mustard
seeds, bay leaves and cardamom. Additionally, geographical location, history,
and climate greatly influence Bengali cuisine. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
factors listed above affected the type and way our vegetables are prepared. A
variety of vegetables (leafy greens, potatoes, squash, radish, carrots, okra,
cucumber, eggplant, cauliflower, cabbage, etc.) hold a prominent place in
Bengali meals and are used to create different nutritious and flavorful dishes.
From curries to stir-fries, vegetable dishes are a hearty way to incorporate
fresh ingredients into a meal. The fresh vegetable markets offer consumers a
variety of options for purchasing locally grown vegetables that are in season. In
addition to vegetable markets, vegetable carts are also popular which offer a
convenient way for consumers to buy fresh produce on the go. These mobile
vendors travel through neighborhoods, sell a variety of fresh vegetables to customers
who may not have the time to travel to a marketplace.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpcqJTaZknqSPGK1HIG9HffelkmiqDDbjoMgh-SxdvQy9cGItaR02G4kA8ciMviAUoQ7AzCd-zAuRSOTi85-bq5uav5dr2-SSq4Z71DsTUuHmYuwEBAaf_nL1QzE3e_zFlBoqYQ4lEazh3A_8-JTudBYAinDuQKb3qA7ZvMucm457n1k7vxM1284U4A/s1083/Vegetable%20Market,%20Dhaka%20City.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="866" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpcqJTaZknqSPGK1HIG9HffelkmiqDDbjoMgh-SxdvQy9cGItaR02G4kA8ciMviAUoQ7AzCd-zAuRSOTi85-bq5uav5dr2-SSq4Z71DsTUuHmYuwEBAaf_nL1QzE3e_zFlBoqYQ4lEazh3A_8-JTudBYAinDuQKb3qA7ZvMucm457n1k7vxM1284U4A/s320/Vegetable%20Market,%20Dhaka%20City.jpeg" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegetable Market: Dhaka City</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Food
is deeply connected to my feelings and memories of Bengali culture. The process
of organizing and cooking traditional dishes is also a way to express love and
care for others. For instance, certain dishes may be associated with a specific
person, and time and can take you back to a feeling of nostalgia. Sometimes,
grandparents pass down recipes and cooking procedures to their grandchildren. Cooking
certain dishes builds bridges among multiple generations. These meals are a way
of celebrating our ancestors, who lived before us. The significant aspect of
food is not limited to nourishing but is deeply rooted in traditions and
emotions. Food serves as a symbol of unity, celebration, hospitality, generosity,
and expression of cultural identity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Mahbuba Airin | Graduate Student, CDE | ECVOntario <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">SEDRD | University of Guelph.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-14188182878660541702023-02-06T07:52:00.002-08:002023-03-16T06:26:06.102-07:00Food Research during COVID-19<p> <span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px;">*</span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">This is part of our series on the nexus between COVID-19 and food systems.</i></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbXFjPYkoaTBK1we-vYWU_sygigwL3Z7aJvpfqkxStWrlCeVL-8_H19ri_ZR-F11AJ7FqjA3oUqJn6UxlApuQxOBeGFGFjdshFYVxDaSeANk4GFyzLPKfBJsYvyQojOQnVqb5jdCT9ZcmiIphFAGnA5Po4cJYXTD5S4Or4zng51mOgeA--83chr1qfA/s4608/IMG_20211222_172501.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbXFjPYkoaTBK1we-vYWU_sygigwL3Z7aJvpfqkxStWrlCeVL-8_H19ri_ZR-F11AJ7FqjA3oUqJn6UxlApuQxOBeGFGFjdshFYVxDaSeANk4GFyzLPKfBJsYvyQojOQnVqb5jdCT9ZcmiIphFAGnA5Po4cJYXTD5S4Or4zng51mOgeA--83chr1qfA/s320/IMG_20211222_172501.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hibiscus tea and soup at La Khaima</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A few days ago, I spent two
hours on the phone with a friend in Shanghai, China discussing the zero covid
policy and how it affected his economic situation and his physical as well as mental
health. We also discussed the implication on the global value chain now that
China is gradually returning to normal. The two-hours conversation reminded me
of a pending writeup based on a documentation I did in December 2021. Please
get a cup of organic tea, a bowl of ogi (eko), or a warm cup of rooibos tisane
as you peruse the journey below: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">On Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, I
arrived at the Guelph train station enroute to Montreal. At this point in time,
passengers are expected to provide hard copy or digital proof of vaccination.
Before boarding, the QR Code on our proof of vaccination and boarding pass were
scanned for all the passengers. After a brief stop at the Union Station in
Toronto to change trains, I arrived in Montreal and was able to check in to my
hotel just after 9 pm. On my way to the hotel, I was informed that restaurants
and bars were closed which later turned out to be a misinterpretation of the
government’s announcement. At the hotel, the staff on duty indicated that
because of COVID there would be no room service including housekeeping. I
discovered that there were also no room hand sanitizers. Guests were expected
to use a general sanitizer by the elevator. Furthermore, the hotel stopped
complimentary bottled water and there was no breakfast which had been part of
their service in 2018. Services have deteriorated significantly within three years,
and this is not entirely due to the pandemic. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I woke up the next day, Tuesday,
Dec 21, 2021, mentally ready to document the challenges faced by the food systems
in Montreal under the prevailing pandemic. Since there was no more breakfast by
the hotel, I had to visit Cora, a Canadian franchise for breakfast and lunch.
At the place, my proof of vaccination was also scanned before I was allowed
into the restaurant. All other regular restrictions expected in a restaurant
were also observed in the restaurant. A state of emergency was later declared
by the Quebec Government because of the increasing cases of COVID-19 even though
while passing through the streets of Montreal, the impact of the state of
emergency was not necessarily apparent. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRd9CZu4ioS8iuLIqWOpqkhsWYvfjWCbJ-vU8QaYo94HBCIrUi7F-QG3nvbGqyTG8UtEaNDlpawwoZfzeEXWCLjDE18yUnxPjB4LZ3Wb_AUIDcENSSHs6ub52Sw2Vyzmz240_BotvnZlDG4Cmzw9eqX8ZUyDQmE621ljdPrDo8Bmyj7FbveRlHZEOftw/s4608/IMG_20211221_110128.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRd9CZu4ioS8iuLIqWOpqkhsWYvfjWCbJ-vU8QaYo94HBCIrUi7F-QG3nvbGqyTG8UtEaNDlpawwoZfzeEXWCLjDE18yUnxPjB4LZ3Wb_AUIDcENSSHs6ub52Sw2Vyzmz240_BotvnZlDG4Cmzw9eqX8ZUyDQmE621ljdPrDo8Bmyj7FbveRlHZEOftw/s320/IMG_20211221_110128.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast at Cora, Montreal</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Day three, Wednesday Dec 22,
2021. I started the day again with a Cora breakfast. Within less than my
breakfast hour, ten people were in the restaurant. Thus, the state of emergency
notwithstanding, some people were still willing to eat out. After my breakfast
I called La Khaima to book a space to experience Mauritania/Morocco cuisines.
Although the owner was not sure whether they would be open, people seemed not
to understand the state of emergency implications. After a brief discussion I
was able to get space for 5 pm. I decided to explore Montreal’s streets before
my dinner at La Khaima. My exploration led to more than an hour stop at a
specialty café, Café Olimpico, that is less than 200 metres to my destination.
People are social beings, and the café was a solace for people longing for
social interaction in a safe space. In this space familiarity trumped having a vaccine
passport. The space is trendy, cozy, homely and classy and the customers are
likely middle and upper class – those who could afford a latte for
more than $5. It is generally a white space though I met a young Congolese lady
studying law at a Montreal university. An indication that white is not
necessarily based on color, there is a possibility of color privilege based on
education. Did spaces become more class and race concentrated because of the
pandemic? The francophone lady wanted to be seen but she didn’t want to say she
is African. <i>I am from here</i> she said when I asked her country of origin. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9zzCcb8PNKKwGvRSRYIY_nY2ZrC9OJG4nhhELcB1QEttDXiStw858R2hNYA46wMNrExaf6_7ZlfizhWr_dIcglJlx9QLuKox-AhFkgUdWOa7i3_K1mTGE4sZVT965nklnEPe0poQU_A2szFOLS4PzXfeHP5n4q7I5I6GypGTH3stJesMgSqLFTh9cw/s4608/IMG_20211222_152649.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9zzCcb8PNKKwGvRSRYIY_nY2ZrC9OJG4nhhELcB1QEttDXiStw858R2hNYA46wMNrExaf6_7ZlfizhWr_dIcglJlx9QLuKox-AhFkgUdWOa7i3_K1mTGE4sZVT965nklnEPe0poQU_A2szFOLS4PzXfeHP5n4q7I5I6GypGTH3stJesMgSqLFTh9cw/s320/IMG_20211222_152649.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cafe Olimpico</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The music playing was very
soothing to the extent that I forgot that the pandemic was still around. Clover,
a Cloud based point of sale platform, was the payment system used at the Olimpico
café. People in this space seemed not to be bothered by, OMICRON, the strain of
COVID-19 creating havoc that time. Most of the people were working on their
laptops as seen in cafes such as Balzac’s coffee roasters and Starbucks. This
space was where I discovered that media can be a source of misinformation. I
totally forgot about the pandemic until I reached my hotel room and started
watching scary news updates on television. My takeaway from Olimpico was that restriction
may not go well with people even though OMICRON was then a challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxjsLoQw7kqQvash2fEYa9pP11u1zi-p7rVGlplLh9yNyneNELDsaMOwNQxrkon_6gbMneB6EhhwihNGSz2d8JEglVNxeAAHEfamJ-FxXtVHdfxQpLM5bNWSje4zcznZF8fav0wsgtMibMcBXjW3KvUgY0ar9jYj19eFyCqgWe9QsnfA5t6sSaJyzRw/s4608/IMG_20211222_153511.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxjsLoQw7kqQvash2fEYa9pP11u1zi-p7rVGlplLh9yNyneNELDsaMOwNQxrkon_6gbMneB6EhhwihNGSz2d8JEglVNxeAAHEfamJ-FxXtVHdfxQpLM5bNWSje4zcznZF8fav0wsgtMibMcBXjW3KvUgY0ar9jYj19eFyCqgWe9QsnfA5t6sSaJyzRw/s320/IMG_20211222_153511.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cake and latte at Olimpico</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Before returning to my room, I
walked for around 10 minutes from Olimpico café to La Khaima, entering the
restaurant at 5:01 pm for my dinner. The cuisine for the night was Soup –
Lentil soup with turmeric and ginger and a three-course meal. 1<sup>st</sup> –
chicken with olives; 2<sup>nd</sup> – Beef with dates; 3<sup>rd</sup> – Mixed
vegetables with chickpeas + couscous. The mixed vegetables were a blend of olive,
okra, cabbage, carrot, chickpeas. The restaurant was designed in such a way that you felt you were in a desert tent. The air was filled with the aroma
of the cuisines from the Sahel and different music from Africa. The dinner
started with an appetiser, a hot hibiscus tea, served in a traditional kettle
to keep the drink warm. The owner took his time to educate me about the
cuisines and that the palatability of couscous is a function of the sauce. And
that slow cooking improves the taste and spreads the ingredients evenly. The
evening was pleasant and 30 people were at the restaurant while I was there.
The shock was that I was the only person of African descent in the restaurant
during my stay. Until today I still wonder why there were more non-Africans in a
restaurant serving African cuisines. Could it be the price? I observed the same
scenario in a Moroccan restaurant, The Sultan’s Tent and Café Maroc, in Toronto,
six years ago. Food is already globalized but it may become exclusive for
people of a certain class and/or education. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">After my documentation, I returned
to Guelph on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021. I left Montreal with the first train at
6.11 am, arrived in Ottawa at 9.30 am due to a delay as a result of cargo freight
obstruction on the rail. The stopover in Ottawa was to have a brief meeting
with friends and deliver their Christmas packs. I left Ottawa at 3.33 pm, arriving
at the Toronto Union station before 9 pm and took the 9.34 pm Go train to Guelph
(Metrolinx has improved rail connectivity to include cities outside the Greater
Toronto Area up to Kitchener).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This journey and other research
experience during the pandemic indicate that inequality has deepened, exclusion
is more prevalent, food shortages have increased and at times quality is
compromised. Furthermore, socialization was significantly curtailed, and income
was reduced because of layoffs and reduced hours. I hope we will be able to
manage random events better in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Bamidele Adekunle|IRG &
ECVOntario|SEDRD|University of Guelph.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-23609436103870948182022-12-23T12:46:00.000-08:002022-12-23T12:46:37.915-08:00Burgers for All<p> </p><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">When
North Americans think “fast-food”, the first thought that comes to our mind is “burgers
and fries”. This may be due to the high presence and saturation of the
world-famous restaurant, <i>McDonald’s</i>. Although each burger has a unique
recipe, there are a few staple ingredients: A toasted bun, a slice of cheese
and/or vegetables, and a meat-based patty. However, what about those who choose
not to eat meat? </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">According
to a research study conducted at <i>Dalhousie University</i> in 2018,
vegetarians and vegans accounted for 9.4% of Canada’s population<w:sdt citation="t" id="-1665547137"><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span> CITATION Rya18 \l 4105 <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Flanagan,
2018)</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--></w:sdt>.
This study suggested that people under the age of 35 were more likely to
consider themselves vegetarians or vegans compared to people 49 years old or
older. Younger consumers with more education are committing to more “specialty
diets”. Based on this study, vegetarian and vegan consumers are increasing at a
rapid pace therefore, restaurants and meat-production industries must tailor to
this new way of living. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">For
those who choose not to eat meat, there are very few options. I, myself, am not
a vegetarian or vegan but I have friends and relatives who do not eat meat and
often find it difficult to find a vegetarian-friendly restaurant, specifically fast-food.
I find that meat eaters take the plethora of burger joints available, for
granted. However, as there is a rise in vegetarian and vegan consumers,
vegetarian and vegan options are also slowly growing and becoming more common.
For this blog post, I decided to try some vegetarian burger options near me.
Specifically, I wanted to compare the quality of a more popular fast-food chain
vegetarian burger, to the quality of a vegetarian restaurant’s burger. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2i0nVapQ2pOSYkilGq1XAZaEF0UeArafKr32WtM1TJvIQRSuxjqQxnC0Nwaj5XKn4HjM9MRGRVibrN9dVc7KCS4PawdRuvaS9uN9T5Elth27p2lidBYYUaJoTyRL3eVCNzPL8qT-s2hDRMNTeBrIGeZvvgSP7UHs4B0LFFMk3Ir_tu0Ts7laBdj6hQ/s3038/Beyond%20Burger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3038" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2i0nVapQ2pOSYkilGq1XAZaEF0UeArafKr32WtM1TJvIQRSuxjqQxnC0Nwaj5XKn4HjM9MRGRVibrN9dVc7KCS4PawdRuvaS9uN9T5Elth27p2lidBYYUaJoTyRL3eVCNzPL8qT-s2hDRMNTeBrIGeZvvgSP7UHs4B0LFFMk3Ir_tu0Ts7laBdj6hQ/s320/Beyond%20Burger.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beyond Burger</td></tr></tbody></table><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></p><p style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A&W</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> is known for serving
grass-fed beef, raised without the use of hormones, steroids or antibiotics<w:sdt citation="t" id="-1450784352"> (A&W,
2020)</w:sdt>.
In 2018, all <i>A&W</i> restaurants in Canada began to serve plant-based
burgers, provided by <i>Beyond Meat</i>. <i>Beyond Meat </i>is recognized for
creating plant-based patties which look, cook, and taste like a traditional
beef patty (Beyond Meat, 2022). There are misconceptions that plant-based
burgers will not “satisfy the burger craving” or not taste as good as their
beef burger counterpart. However, I am glad to say I was joyfully proven wrong!
The “Beyond Meat Burger” from <i>A&W</i> was scrumptious and tasted like a
regular beef burger. The contents of the burger were like a “Teen Burger” from <i>A&W</i>,
as it had lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles between freshly toasted sesame
seed buns. The beyond meat patty had a crispy outside, with a juicy inside.
This burger was a blissful surprise, and it costs the same price as the “Teen
Burger”. However, it is approximately $2 more than <i>McDonald’s</i> “Big Mac.”
I would recommend this burger to all burger eaters as it checks all my boxes
for a good burger!</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CLxBY5tNA_AMaRKkoRUKag7SlI8XH4bKqXfm4YgcMw5S8Ie8KrFVmAle8agWPSM3qx-lf-KEc2RFk4dK5bTaxOl0Ct_nCkFwTiLVnr5bFMC-DoU3kkUfRXwGwNilzepcd-o7txvc2eREWM9yZ9AOjWrsF59jvoNQSpdFr3rs632o57-9J6Gpx4nbCQ/s3050/Copper%20Branch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3050" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CLxBY5tNA_AMaRKkoRUKag7SlI8XH4bKqXfm4YgcMw5S8Ie8KrFVmAle8agWPSM3qx-lf-KEc2RFk4dK5bTaxOl0Ct_nCkFwTiLVnr5bFMC-DoU3kkUfRXwGwNilzepcd-o7txvc2eREWM9yZ9AOjWrsF59jvoNQSpdFr3rs632o57-9J6Gpx4nbCQ/s320/Copper%20Branch.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copper Branch</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
vegetarian restaurant that I went to was </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Copper Branch</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">; a vegan
restaurant which serves 100% plant-based foods. As of 2019, the franchise has
opened 45 locations across Canada, with 16 locations in Ontario, and some
branches established internationally as well</span><w:sdt citation="t" id="-999892331" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> (Retail Insider, 2019)</w:sdt><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. I was eager to try
the burgers from </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Copper Branch</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> because the franchise does not aim to
serve products which taste like meat alternatives, but rather to serve products
with a more authentic taste. I wanted to order something equal to the “Beyond
Burger” from </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A&W</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> for consistency purposes, so I ordered the “Black
Bean Burger” which had lettuce, tomatoes and southwest sauce between sesame
seed buns. This burger was imposing as the first bite was filled with an array
of flavours. The “Black Bean” patty had a hint of sweetness to it, and a kick
of spice as well. The texture was soft but did not crumble when eating it. The
burger did not taste like the traditional beef burger but had its own distinct
flavour, a flavour which I would like to enjoy again. The price of the “Black
Bean Burger” was almost $5 more than </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">McDonald’s</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> “Big Mac” yet is a prime
alternative. This option for non-meat eaters can become a favourite for many as
the restaurant serves a variety of products with many unique flavours to offer.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgRVsaKqPQ5O2xUFd-g77Xs-PoYdifqJl20ix7CjSylqtW-8sJAYwFGzxPraoVsm0ahK34y96cxIQAEDcdUvwUsUZoaj2CduXi2NJTgWwHprjdT231w7lvj7eghgannGz-B1vNK67-wNpHh-sZ5S2FSXcfPgjxuWMhsYzFGs9TvX7wylbk4vhTjXrUg/s3024/Black%20Bean%20Burger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgRVsaKqPQ5O2xUFd-g77Xs-PoYdifqJl20ix7CjSylqtW-8sJAYwFGzxPraoVsm0ahK34y96cxIQAEDcdUvwUsUZoaj2CduXi2NJTgWwHprjdT231w7lvj7eghgannGz-B1vNK67-wNpHh-sZ5S2FSXcfPgjxuWMhsYzFGs9TvX7wylbk4vhTjXrUg/s320/Black%20Bean%20Burger.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Bean Burger</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Both
</span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A&W</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> and </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Copper Branch’s</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> burgers provided me with a pleasant
tasting experience and gave me more reason to eat consciously. As the number of
vegetarian and vegan consumers continues to rise, restaurants need to include
alternatives to allow for greater choice. Choosing meat alternative products
can encourage production and potentially increase product choice too. So, if
you are ever craving a good juicy burger, I invite you to try the “Beyond
Burger” from </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A&W</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. Or, if you are craving a burger with a kick to it,
try the “Black Bean Burger” from </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Copper Branch</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. You will not be
disappointed!</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<w:sdt docparttype="Bibliographies" docpartunique="t" id="-89772913" sdtdocpart="t">
<h1><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">References<o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;"><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr></span></h1>
<w:sdt bibliography="t" id="-573587230">
<p class="MsoBibliography" style="text-indent: -36.0pt;"><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>BIBLIOGRAPHY <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">A&W. (2020). <i>A&W Company</i>. Retrieved from
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<p class="MsoBibliography" style="text-indent: -36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Beyond Meat. (2022). <i>Beyond Burger</i>. Retrieved from Beyond Meat:
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<p class="MsoBibliography" style="text-indent: -36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Flanagan, R. (2018). <i>More than 3 million Canadians Vegetarian or
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<p class="MsoBibliography" style="text-indent: -36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Retail Insider. (2019, February 25). <i>Plant-Based Concept ‘Copper
Branch’ Announces 26 Locations for 2019</i>. Retrieved from Retail Insider:
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<p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if supportFields]><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
line-height:107%;mso-no-proof:yes'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span></b><![endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</w:sdt></w:sdt>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jevon Devasagayam<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Global Management Studies Department<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Toronto Metropolitan University<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-38857511605366790802022-12-14T15:12:00.001-08:002022-12-14T21:13:35.291-08:00Food: A Bengali Perspective<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIkikbqrJki7irURhItYm9G2WE82L1skc61KHlf_GpvlThac35UJY_6ebBmTNAdqO4hCITFzAwJirUCKS2-cWcrz7b0pTcTBCY69bRoK1QQOCtDUzIRCwna_rqJm6KCze9JlfD2PIzLQCGBgAfB5FMJDT7Kj_ylbNVLxyop7cQe5GABEr0KDVPQTHUw/s2048/Bhapa%20Pitha_Bangladeshi%20Winter%20Delicay_.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="2048" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIkikbqrJki7irURhItYm9G2WE82L1skc61KHlf_GpvlThac35UJY_6ebBmTNAdqO4hCITFzAwJirUCKS2-cWcrz7b0pTcTBCY69bRoK1QQOCtDUzIRCwna_rqJm6KCze9JlfD2PIzLQCGBgAfB5FMJDT7Kj_ylbNVLxyop7cQe5GABEr0KDVPQTHUw/s320/Bhapa%20Pitha_Bangladeshi%20Winter%20Delicay_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bhapa Pitha - Bangladeshi Winter Delicacy</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">As an international
student, living in a foreign country, the food that I have an appetite for, and
cook is an accumulation of my convenience and experience instead of my taste
buds. Coming from a Bangladeshi heritage, food is not only a means of survival
or nutrients but also a means of cultural celebration, community engagement,
building and sharing social bonds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">The opportunity, to
work on this write-up made me reflect on the idea of how food is beyond
nutritional value. My impression is that food is not limited to nutrients and
taste. Food can also be an advocate for more insightful and purposeful causes.
After examining food through the lens of a critical perspective, my narrative
about food has extended toward building strong community ties. The warmth of food
serves as a catalyst for spreading harmony in society.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">In Bangla, the language
spoken by the Bengali people, there is a common saying “Machh-e-Bhat-e-Bangali”
which translates in English as “Fish and rice make a Bengali”. Bangladeshi cuisine
has been shaped by the local landscape and river line geography. Rice and fish
are the staples of Bangladesh. People eat rice in different forms: steamed or
puffed. Bangladeshi curry is famed for its use of a wide range of freshwater
fish and seafood. Hilsa fish is the most popular one, but other common fish
include rohu, punti, catfish, bata, clown Knifefish, and Tilapia.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBWV6terIWFQ8qa0psQftQ2QlvZvR3562a51gAehO99CeEmAJwLf_pbvXVw9ktNM_-A9wWQKNRKxfU-tD5_4qYMOqNWJr1-PeuKfs9F-0AVt0eqt4OQkR2FHhNe-bmwaHst5OOEN_ys5mnLAYIDfLvKOCXYsIHQiANP7nqbmY7dVCg2zFZ6jI8Eg3mA/s1024/Fish_Market_Bangladesh.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="1024" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBWV6terIWFQ8qa0psQftQ2QlvZvR3562a51gAehO99CeEmAJwLf_pbvXVw9ktNM_-A9wWQKNRKxfU-tD5_4qYMOqNWJr1-PeuKfs9F-0AVt0eqt4OQkR2FHhNe-bmwaHst5OOEN_ys5mnLAYIDfLvKOCXYsIHQiANP7nqbmY7dVCg2zFZ6jI8Eg3mA/s320/Fish_Market_Bangladesh.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish Market - Dhaka Bangladesh</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Sharing Food with other
people in the community plays a significant social role in Bangladeshi culture.
During Ramadan, families share home-cooked iftar (meal after breaking the
day-long fast) with their neighbors and underprivileged people. This social
experience of sharing food with other fellow citizens regardless of religious
faith creates a sense of inclusivity in the community. Thus, people from
diverse faiths and backgrounds celebrate the social value of harmony.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">In the fast-paced
world, where doing is more valuable than being, sharing food with neighbours
gives us the opportunity to begin a beautiful relationship with our neighbours.
My parents have moved houses several times and each time we had kind neighbours
who would prepare freshly cooked homemade meals, pickles, herbs, or vegetables
so that my parents wouldn't have to cook or eat out at a restaurant while they
were still in the process of moving. It is only now that I am living in a
foreign country far away from home, I can relate and realize how valuable human
connection is. This beautiful gesture of sharing blessings with other fellow
human beings, can open the doors of communication and social bonding. It’s hard
to say no to free food. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Nature has adorned the
land of the river with her six shades of green: summer, monsoon, autumn, late
autumn, winter, and spring. Bengali people enjoy the mild cold of Winter with
delicious Pitha (or pies). Pitha is a traditional homemade cake with local
ingredients such as rice flour, molasses, milk, date juice and coconut. During
this time, varieties of Pithas are prepared: Bhapa Pitha (Steamed rice cakes
made with ground rice flour, molasses, and grated coconut), Chioti Pitha
(steamed flat pancakes made with rice flour), Patishapta (sweet crepes filled
with coconut and molasses), Puli Pitha (steamed dumplings stuffed with coconut
and jaggery), Nakshi Pitha (deep-fried crispy rice cake made with rice flour,
Jaggery syrup). Celebrating winter may remain incomplete without the aroma of
this winter delicacy. Each person can choose something they really like from
sweet to savory, from steamed to fried, from golden to white. Pitha has no
strict formulaic preparation. Apart from the winter season, Bengalis express
their love for this local delicacy in other special occasions like celebrating
Bengali new year, Eid, Puja, weddings etc.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Pitha is more than just
an expression of a festival. It is a glorious demonstration of locally grown
food ingredients and agriculture. I can vividly feel the mouth-watering taste
of Bhapa Pitha when I read the recipe which is a steamed rice cake made with
rice flour, molasses, and grated coconut. Embracing the practice of eating
local food can be a support for local small businesses. Elora Begum, a local
vendor in Dhaka city, sells Pithas in roadside carts during the winter. She has
been preparing this delicious goodness for years with easily accessible local
ingredients. This small business is generating income for her. Therefore,
buying local food can contribute to strengthening the local economy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJ5kNW2-pjY1b6vI6C0gVw510f1eyz0zp5RtpfgfqFbQ2jYMSe2NJYJucoFIXhm3G1f92Pao8UkOmFDAW9bLCTZChPek7DD2Fd9WFK8-U97iVsmMO63_a3saVh8C5QvvDb7IIDhamXQ-3GSuUcw7KGRCmDxD__K7awKtKUVvK86dGwbRyaviKr6LvbQ/s2048/Misty_Bangladeshi%20Sweets.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="2048" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJ5kNW2-pjY1b6vI6C0gVw510f1eyz0zp5RtpfgfqFbQ2jYMSe2NJYJucoFIXhm3G1f92Pao8UkOmFDAW9bLCTZChPek7DD2Fd9WFK8-U97iVsmMO63_a3saVh8C5QvvDb7IIDhamXQ-3GSuUcw7KGRCmDxD__K7awKtKUVvK86dGwbRyaviKr6LvbQ/s320/Misty_Bangladeshi%20Sweets.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Misty - Bangladeshi Sweets</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Sharing happiness with
loved ones makes the experience more joyful. In Bangladesh, no celebration is
complete without having “Misty”. Misty is a common name for Bangladeshi sweets.
Misty is prepared with whole milk, cream, sugar, flour, and different flavoring
agents: cardamom, and saffron. People here love to share any good news with
sweets. For instance, if a family welcomes a newborn baby, they tend to send
sweets to relatives, and neighbours. Sharing the light of joy and happiness
with community members expresses the gesture of belongingness. This practice
spreads the sweetness of connectivity among residents in a community. The
feeling of being connected with the "tribe" makes us feel safe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><b><span style="color: black;">Mahbuba Airin<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p><b><span style="color: black;">Graduate Student, CDE | ECVOntario<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p><b><span style="color: black;">SEDRD, University of Guelph<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-33601820689085924142022-10-27T23:15:00.000-07:002022-12-14T21:10:36.119-08:00Behind the Aroma II: Understanding Skin in the Game<p> </p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I like interacting with
people and learning about their ideas. Working with ‘Behind the Aroma II’ as a
Graduate Research Assistant has helped me learn from people from different backgrounds, These people include shop owners, restaurant managers, people in academia and industry
experts. I had the opportunity to learn about what they do and what they know
best.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbpHJL223WObdA4XO296oXZgXU95wzsJyeQpOPB5iZHk6ycYVseHYktamK81VbBEa3qtuojeT-ELPpsAKXYNcYTthL_aFY89G6K9kVrBrWnwryjueAC6M8eqZSiwijYpvWPYnE4XCgoC9Qh1o7WKMVYe74pua-GO8RC7IIC0CGbyKMC5mLnqkzshCgQ/s320/Xawaash%20Restaurant.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">Xawaash Restaurant Mississauga, Ontario</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbpHJL223WObdA4XO296oXZgXU95wzsJyeQpOPB5iZHk6ycYVseHYktamK81VbBEa3qtuojeT-ELPpsAKXYNcYTthL_aFY89G6K9kVrBrWnwryjueAC6M8eqZSiwijYpvWPYnE4XCgoC9Qh1o7WKMVYe74pua-GO8RC7IIC0CGbyKMC5mLnqkzshCgQ/s4160/Xawaash%20Restaurant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"></span></a></i></div><i><br /><o:p></o:p></i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The experience made me go
to different places here in Guelph, which exposed me to the city as I am new
here. It also gave me a sense of accomplishment as I was making and meeting
appointments every week with new people for discussions around the topics of
the podcast. I was also glad that the work I was doing supported research that
will help educate others about food authenticity. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhh6HaUfw2zCA8QNzeUo0l4kx0qWc-DU6hnjpSUWg3qbSgb1LS4ivVZYH6S1RIoV61SUWXXcqD0y7LUW6gGHlpBHuymyLxYWYUFVoXBNFfBNUZM_d6La7XPrfs7Z85FDh9gEex8Mio679ndLxck-ZNnyUcAhjFnP1rRWYH6UiH63sdV78XWcnZk9hxw/s550/Balzac's.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="550" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhh6HaUfw2zCA8QNzeUo0l4kx0qWc-DU6hnjpSUWg3qbSgb1LS4ivVZYH6S1RIoV61SUWXXcqD0y7LUW6gGHlpBHuymyLxYWYUFVoXBNFfBNUZM_d6La7XPrfs7Z85FDh9gEex8Mio679ndLxck-ZNnyUcAhjFnP1rRWYH6UiH63sdV78XWcnZk9hxw/s320/Balzac's.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 20px;">Balzac’s Coffee Guelph, Ontario</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">During the four months of
summer, I visited the Guelph Farmers Market, the Ethnic Supermarket, Xawaash
Restaurant and Bogda Restaurant for research on Halal food. I discovered how
diverse the markets are and how the two restaurants cater to people beyond
those who have halal food preferences. It opened my eyes to how people in
Canada from different origins seek to explore food from cultures other than
their own.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I learned the immediate
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food industry, especially on specialty
foods such as organic, locally grown, and halal. As sourcing became limited and
difficult because there are few suppliers and producers of specialty goods in
Ontario. As a result, vendors were not able to keep up with the restrictions
and decline in sales, forcing them to give up their spots in the Farmers’
Market or eliminate specialty products from their menus. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Furthermore, I also conducted interviews
with the manager of Balzac’s Coffee shop, the manager of Crazy Carrot
restaurant and the owner of Cavan Coffee. I got to know how they source their
coffee and ingredients and what their values are and how they make sure
those values are made known to their customers. These interactions gave me the
opportunity to learn how these coffee shops support coffee growers around
the world to ensure they have a living wage by subscribing to the fair trade movement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-eUjagfY4nX06UfZByVAbf5SLcucovk5HQkMIv4YmInTDUIB7beZ3UT1vnJ6OlCC5aY1j6XwU1bZxEKeoNKQRUWE9B3_z-clMNF8kI_tvymuuy4r9MIHaR8rKrDFJijXdFYZ5bJiqXpc7bXHtflM9A_MFyBkG5dwVU_0D7D52-vq6DW9XFSuq1FurQ/s1024/Crazy%20Carrot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-eUjagfY4nX06UfZByVAbf5SLcucovk5HQkMIv4YmInTDUIB7beZ3UT1vnJ6OlCC5aY1j6XwU1bZxEKeoNKQRUWE9B3_z-clMNF8kI_tvymuuy4r9MIHaR8rKrDFJijXdFYZ5bJiqXpc7bXHtflM9A_MFyBkG5dwVU_0D7D52-vq6DW9XFSuq1FurQ/s320/Crazy%20Carrot.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 20px;">Crazy Carrot Restaurant Guelph, Ontario</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">By meeting and holding
discussions with industry experts like Ms. Mariama Deen-Swarray, Mr. Sand Mba
Kalu, Ms. Marthane Swart, Mr. Tunde Oyebade, and Mr. Simon Jacques, my
perspectives were widened on the work being done in Canada and in the world to
educated people on the authenticity and origins of food. I got to learn about
geographical indications and the implications of the word and was introduced to
African companies paving the way for development and recognition in geographical
indications such as the Rooibos Council.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Here in Canada, I got to
understand the process of Organic certification through ECOCERT which is
rigorous in nature and involves multiple site visits by professionals at
different stages of the growing and harvesting process. There is also a
tremendous difference between organic certification and other food
certifications as other food certifications are not thoroughly verified in
Canada as is organic. This shows that there is an asymmetric information and
the possibility of adverse selection in the market.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Behind the Aroma II has afforded me the opportunity to learn about what our food actually is and where
our food comes from through subject matter experts like Dr. Robert Hanner, Dr.
Sri Sethuratnam, and Ms. Anju Philip. What we see or read on food labels isn’t
necessarily the whole truth about the product. It was fascinating to hear about
advancements in technology in identifying what is in the food we buy, the
origins of the species and the environment in which it was grown through DNA
barcoding.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The fieldwork was really enjoyable because I was able to discover new
places in Guelph such as shops, cafes, markets, and quiet places to study at the University of Guelph campus. Interviewing people online in the <span style="color: black;">ECVOntario remote podcast</span> studio was the challenging part of
this experience but I got more comfortable with it as time progresses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZvxHJJMopVP5EQdC7EP6eQevNQ6f_6J0hl2FXBfMwU928yHc-JcmGUt1pcC-J0qbNoGz15jwvi8_QOc2fwD8Jozb3HxTl7f9R2bF9_xacbLmRBfmzvfflfJRsNg9IhY2UNL_OyXHBWNB85aHFi5jdL0XJ16IZl5DJuqDtak-11L4HVh15ROFa0zeYg/s1024/UoG%20Science%20Centre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1024" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZvxHJJMopVP5EQdC7EP6eQevNQ6f_6J0hl2FXBfMwU928yHc-JcmGUt1pcC-J0qbNoGz15jwvi8_QOc2fwD8Jozb3HxTl7f9R2bF9_xacbLmRBfmzvfflfJRsNg9IhY2UNL_OyXHBWNB85aHFi5jdL0XJ16IZl5DJuqDtak-11L4HVh15ROFa0zeYg/s320/UoG%20Science%20Centre.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 20px;">University of Guelph Summerlee Science Complex Atrium</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Some of the competencies
I gained through this experience are relationship building, public speaking, research,
and interview skills. These skills will be useful as I continue to grow in
my career, which will involve interviews, focus group discussions, surveys, knowledge translation and transfer, analyses and report writing. look forward to listening to the finalized second season of ‘Behind the
Aroma’ and sharing it with my colleagues and friends.<o:p></o:p></span></p><b>Chitegetse Rutihinda</b><p></p><p><b>MSc CDE Graduate | ECVOntario | IRG</b></p><p><b>SEDRD, University of Guelph</b></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-18075986052878726452022-06-21T16:04:00.000-07:002022-06-21T16:04:45.590-07:00Cappuccino or Latte? Preference as a function of Utility<p>The hot sun starts peeking through the trees in the early mornings of a summer July day. Listening closely, you hear the birds chirping as the leaves are swaying in the hot breeze. Taking in that breath of fresh air, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee creeps its way through the tent. Waking up after a night of camping can be rough, but at this point, you know life is good with that fresh cup of coffee waiting for you.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuZwMKNDYESRch-v3LnWIgcRmupG1y_EpO8sCMf4UidevznnNmmAkX7bFV524I5s2eh4aNwSikGtbB1PHKXUfeQtkQ__mYDGzplNjm8bLH-s5MNk1lv68o_CvnOxVazeK4geVgkoYaYzFd_65v6MlYNeptGm6RwdWfJUpAm4oXMNsQu9rjRKT1M4jIw/s1280/Find%20the%20light%20that%20will%20make%20your%20coffee%20shine%20its%20brightest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="753" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuZwMKNDYESRch-v3LnWIgcRmupG1y_EpO8sCMf4UidevznnNmmAkX7bFV524I5s2eh4aNwSikGtbB1PHKXUfeQtkQ__mYDGzplNjm8bLH-s5MNk1lv68o_CvnOxVazeK4geVgkoYaYzFd_65v6MlYNeptGm6RwdWfJUpAm4oXMNsQu9rjRKT1M4jIw/s320/Find%20the%20light%20that%20will%20make%20your%20coffee%20shine%20its%20brightest.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Find the light that will make your coffee shine its brightest.</span></td></tr></tbody></table> </p><p>I was never really into exploring coffee as a poor student and frugal individual. I did not see the benefit of spending more than $3 for a cup of coffee, let alone an $8 coffee at Starbucks. It did not sit well with my bank account. My first choice was always a medium regular coffee. Just the right amount of caffeine intake, with the perfect splash of cream and sugar. Fast forward to my early 30s is when I discovered there was more beyond this. The biggest turn around happened when I landed a job as a café manager. Learning the ins and outs was a challenge; the precision of weight to water yield was very important for that perfect brew. The weight of the grinds to allow for the proper drip was key to the perfect crema. Yet the biggest eureka moment was when I found out the difference between the cappuccino and latte. That is when I knew I had not been drinking coffee properly.</p><p>As I fix the portafilter onto the espresso machine and begin the pour, I watch the creamy, silky stream of the espresso flow right into the mug, creating this beautiful caramel-coloured crema, sitting so smoothly on top. The espresso should never sit longer than thirty seconds after the pour is finished, so I start steaming the milk as the espresso is going. The trick is to steam with lots of foam or less foam. The cappuccino is considered a dry beverage, meaning a thick layer of foam sits on top of the steamed milk, whereas the latte is considered a wet beverage, with a thin layer of foam on top of the steamed milk. As the steaming comes to an end at a temperature of 120 degrees, we tap the pitcher of steamed milk on the counter a couple times to rid the bubbles, swirl the cup of espresso around a couple times and start pouring the milk. Watching the milk pierce the espresso is as relaxing as listening to a jazz band in a park. But finishing the pour with the perfect rosetta is as satisfying as winning first place in your eighth grade relay race. Placing the cup on top a saucer, and the drink is now ready to be served.</p><p>Coffee is a complex individual. People of all walks of life are still asking an assortment of questions. “What is the difference between the cappuccino and latte?” is the most common question asked. It is a valid question as not all coffee drinkers are familiar with the coffee world. Most first timers start off with drip coffee, adding the milks, creamers and sugars. Then you realize there is a whole different world full of lattes, cappuccinos and frappés. There comes a time to discover the true essence of coffee- black coffee and the espresso shot. Imagine, as you bring that cup of coffee to your lips, you get a whiff of the fresh aroma, you take that first sip. The warmth and the flavour takes you to the core, bold taste of the Arabica beans from around the world. But, then you wonder, what is it that you really like?</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZDuURNp5MSJOjrVVwiP-jJqMHtNRPrkWSX9vUSBNgLGCgwhrcV0dBjo_9v-mJ2OwV2lSRkuLNgs7fTc3vWHqkqMKbgsafMNwDLzKUywar16vk7syOvQGsNHEbK_EC9srjt17bqdGrdeiwx4HWJhK7qwGYJVErN1JWU_1DsfeYC8VawIWuYNDv0Sz2A/s1280/The%20first%20brew%20of%20the%20day%20is%20the%20kick%20start%20to%20something%20amazing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="1280" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZDuURNp5MSJOjrVVwiP-jJqMHtNRPrkWSX9vUSBNgLGCgwhrcV0dBjo_9v-mJ2OwV2lSRkuLNgs7fTc3vWHqkqMKbgsafMNwDLzKUywar16vk7syOvQGsNHEbK_EC9srjt17bqdGrdeiwx4HWJhK7qwGYJVErN1JWU_1DsfeYC8VawIWuYNDv0Sz2A/s320/The%20first%20brew%20of%20the%20day%20is%20the%20kick%20start%20to%20something%20amazing.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The first brew of the day is the kick start to something amazing.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Regardless of the wide array of coffee available, the cappuccino and latte are the most popular drinks on the menu. It is all a matter of what flavour you are looking for. Whether it be more milk for a larger drink, or more foam with more espresso for a stronger drink. It is what your tastebuds can handle.</p><p>There are days the extra foam can hit the spot, while on a snowy winter day the large, hot milky coffee is made perfectly to warm your hands and insides. At the end of the day, the preference between the cappuccino and latte is your choice.</p><p>*Note: to discover a variety of coffee from around the world, check us out at a local café in Southern Ontario or peruse our online store at www.balzacs.com.</p><p>Linden Ngo</p><p>Café Manager</p><p>Guest Contributor| ECVOntario</p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-79534405864587557232022-04-01T10:04:00.000-07:002022-04-01T10:04:14.232-07:00A Somali Breakfast<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was few minutes after 9am on
a cold winter Sunday morning. We met at a friend’s car park and drove to
Salaama Hut, a Somali restaurant in Etobicoke, Toronto to enjoy a Somali
breakfast. We arrived at the restaurant around 10:15am and by 10:25am we were
waiting for our meals. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcq3YGzkIg0XF8sjzNoi3ycqUKRXvoVwroSysVgh7M7Lu4LzoGdM5ylog2I2WwuAKlyhgpvIqAUu_bncxBY9YMCYN2IBmQrgYqNHkcPchODfDJ_0thiTmiPyNjlAKXyIAhZ7x0zrNYsQd19svr_Baxz7i1kzioCxHkPFRkVkDf3ijq-j7eTS3aPpVqZA/s1502/Anjeera%20-%20A%20Somali%20Staple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1502" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcq3YGzkIg0XF8sjzNoi3ycqUKRXvoVwroSysVgh7M7Lu4LzoGdM5ylog2I2WwuAKlyhgpvIqAUu_bncxBY9YMCYN2IBmQrgYqNHkcPchODfDJ_0thiTmiPyNjlAKXyIAhZ7x0zrNYsQd19svr_Baxz7i1kzioCxHkPFRkVkDf3ijq-j7eTS3aPpVqZA/s320/Anjeera%20-%20A%20Somali%20Staple.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anjeera - A Somali Staple</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To impress the Somalis in the
restaurant we started by greetings in the Somali way: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Subah Wanaagsan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Iska waran? </span></i><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Of which
they responded<i> ficaan</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was at the restaurant with a
Maasai from Kajiado, a Somali from Kebir Dahar (Qabri Dahare), and an Amhara
with a mixed background from Bedeno.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The hospitability of the owner,
whom I have known since 2015, when I first did my research about </span><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15528014.2021.1914956"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Somali
gastronomy</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">, was exceptionally warm. Furthermore, the chef and waiters
also gave us special consideration – it seems most of their customers are
Somali. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnuSzHRpGZujALXxEzw1GBsaFXVZMLngBkVW3Z34N4ubgjKUIgncWakzb73WVi5D-x1HXWsFL_QWm-1evARYb16Hvux7B38O7QwrbpYz8EIkcRuuGps7VwezbpvjQu2bqtBjsBu6K1JyYrgtxugM8CXChL9fTy9wgSHa_kW-cwTcLCiPO2VaySE_pkA/s1767/Chapati%20and%20Kidney%20Stew.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1767" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnuSzHRpGZujALXxEzw1GBsaFXVZMLngBkVW3Z34N4ubgjKUIgncWakzb73WVi5D-x1HXWsFL_QWm-1evARYb16Hvux7B38O7QwrbpYz8EIkcRuuGps7VwezbpvjQu2bqtBjsBu6K1JyYrgtxugM8CXChL9fTy9wgSHa_kW-cwTcLCiPO2VaySE_pkA/s320/Chapati%20and%20Kidney%20Stew.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chapati and Kidney Stew</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We ordered for different
cuisines from the menu. These different preferences may be based on our past
experiences, knowledge about food and proneness to adventure. The Amhara and
Somali ordered </span><a href="https://youtu.be/eNccxCh9IjA"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">malawah</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> and
kidney stew, the Maasai ordered </span><a href="https://youtu.be/9iJ-cqgf--8"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">chapati</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> and
kidney stew and I ordered malawah and liver stew. The only thing that was
common for all of us was the Somali tea which was made from hot water, ginger,
black tea, sugar and milk. We enjoyed this tea so much that we had to go for a
second round. This common preference for tea reflects the influence of the colonization
of both our countries of birth and naturalization. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuciylGRqkYDcRkZrXqghSkjQwJsb8rxnMbGjr2OU_WYZCH2XG1tgIcGmWfD0TsXu9pdTzpmJT3mkw62XYQOtclnV4k4SzSKzqR1KR_A2vfCjzj06OI4pPalxYiI5dhff8KfmfLZrJK_rBiWndVAP6vJtYfXvTUouZI4m8jvOhYb8b0u_8oL91Zl8GA/s1083/Liver%20Stew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="1083" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuciylGRqkYDcRkZrXqghSkjQwJsb8rxnMbGjr2OU_WYZCH2XG1tgIcGmWfD0TsXu9pdTzpmJT3mkw62XYQOtclnV4k4SzSKzqR1KR_A2vfCjzj06OI4pPalxYiI5dhff8KfmfLZrJK_rBiWndVAP6vJtYfXvTUouZI4m8jvOhYb8b0u_8oL91Zl8GA/s320/Liver%20Stew.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liver Stew</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As we devoured our food, we
discussed the disappearance of knowledge about indigenous African food and that
the meal we are eating is for the affluent because is always expensive and
challenging to get enough liver or kidney for everyday breakfast stew. The
Somali from Kebir Dahar (Qabri Dahare) alluded to the fact that breakfast in
his region is mostly from Sorghum or millet porridge with milk (if time,
environmental impact, and resources permit). I immediately agreed with him
because I am aware of the regional differences in food preferences among the
Somalis. For example, the Barawe or Bravanese have a special type of muufo
(Somali flatbread) called </span><a href="https://youtu.be/hl6lpbhsaag"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Muufo
Barawe</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">. Furthermore, he also once asked whether </span><a href="https://youtu.be/BptCCSGbP7I"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Bajiya</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> is a Somali food and I
replied that it is. Apparently, he is not familiar with it because he grew up
in the Ogaden region and Dadaab. His experience would have been different if he
had grown up in Mogadishu, Hargeisa, or Kismayo before the civil war. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2u1A1DtkLlVLbwEHL35k3RIs-v9nGSWib5fw5F2HQdt0IqUf9_f_ejZWTBel5_eu4lG5I3QpFYMPDzH_b3VgcdUh3xquaaUgcGwOoQ1DDoleuOwQydtKawdlFgfw2jI2D29pa2E6wv1dkQdFOUIUZNgUAJNY80oIsoBh-8fRJDrNsRt8s0FyFzLwCUg/s1038/Somali%20Tea%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="582" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2u1A1DtkLlVLbwEHL35k3RIs-v9nGSWib5fw5F2HQdt0IqUf9_f_ejZWTBel5_eu4lG5I3QpFYMPDzH_b3VgcdUh3xquaaUgcGwOoQ1DDoleuOwQydtKawdlFgfw2jI2D29pa2E6wv1dkQdFOUIUZNgUAJNY80oIsoBh-8fRJDrNsRt8s0FyFzLwCUg/s320/Somali%20Tea%20.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somali Tea</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is interesting how space,
time and experience affect our preferences. The Amhara was happy with the
breakfast because it brought back memories of his teenage years in Nazreth (Adama),
Ethiopia. The Maasai indicated that his people in rural areas don’t necessarily
have a breakfast because they wake up early to take the animals for grazing. Maasai
are nomads and traditionally move around in search of water and food for their
livestock. And that is why there is movement of both people and animals across
the Serengeti in Kenya and Tanzania. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Milk may be available at times
from cows. In the Maasai community, the kidney of a goat is usually consumed
raw immediately after slaughter so there is none left for a kidney stew. Kidney
stew is prepared from the cattle. He further indicated that liver stew is more
available, and it is usually a delicacy for pregnant women because it helps to
supplement their iron need. Tea preparation is the same with the Somalis, but it
does not necessarily include ginger but instead, cloves and lemon grass.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To emphasize the importance of
location in food preferences, the Somali indicated that breakfast is a function
of whether you live in the countryside or in a town. In the countryside,
sorghum porridge with milk from camel or cow is consumed in the morning. Milk
is usually from the Nugul (domesticated, non-hardy animals). In the towns, anjeera
with oil and tea is the popular breakfast. Upper middle-class people often eat
their anjeera with kidney or liver. The Amhara corroborated the Somali
assertion by enunciating that our breakfast, kidney or liver stew, at Salaama is
a holiday or festive period cuisine. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As a researcher and because of
my willingness to learn, I felt it will be unfair if we had a Somali breakfast
without anjeera, so I ordered four pieces which we all enjoyed with our
different stews. Anjeera has a fermented aroma unlike malawah that is not
fermented. The waitress was surprised at how voracious we were with the anjeera
and the liver and kidney stews. Little did she know that we have similar food
in our indigenous cuisines – corroborating my thesis that we share a </span><a href="https://scroll.in/article/818875/how-technology-can-help-nations-identify-and-hold-on-to-their-cuisines-in-a-globalised-world"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">lot in
common with respect to food though the methods of preparation are different</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Towards the end of our stay a
Nigerian, whom I was privileged to teach in 2013, joined us. I asked him for
the main breakfast for the people of eastern Nigeria, His response was that
there is no eastern Nigerian food but there are Nigerian foods. This is an
indication that identity and ethnicity are difficult concepts. </span><a href="https://evcontario2011.blogspot.com/2020/02/cultural-illusions.html"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Culture itself is
not static</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">, and people have different ways of defining themselves
including what they think is </span><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666312001274"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">culturally
appropriate</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What a Sunday morning! We left
my former student to experience the Somali breakfast for the first time while
we drove back to Guelph. This experience was nostalgic for the Amhara, new for
my former student, similar for the Maasai, cultural for the Somali and heavenly
for me. Authenticity is mostly defined by how it was made back home or by our
mum </span><a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/23030195"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“narrative
of affiliative desire”</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">. We will go back in the summer. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mahadsanid
</span></i><a href="https://www.zomato.com/toronto/salaama-hut-etobicoke-gta/menu"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Salaama Hut</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQO_0TI0KKvBTlADm_z1s-IbJ8lcBdwuxcBdFwf-HrbUqJj0J5GoW_ZMCzc-e5OAJlcPDenw7Zoez-PTaBI3r5n9dsU8twaoyjai2Py7x-uQNsbIaKbkulA_nAfxw9zl7p3jPmoLPWjZui30Gk8AQwnbZ765KMn3cLuo2nNKlU5MgZgyBVPAPyIHatg/s1152/Sambuus%20and%20Mandazi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1152" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQO_0TI0KKvBTlADm_z1s-IbJ8lcBdwuxcBdFwf-HrbUqJj0J5GoW_ZMCzc-e5OAJlcPDenw7Zoez-PTaBI3r5n9dsU8twaoyjai2Py7x-uQNsbIaKbkulA_nAfxw9zl7p3jPmoLPWjZui30Gk8AQwnbZ765KMn3cLuo2nNKlU5MgZgyBVPAPyIHatg/s320/Sambuus%20and%20Mandazi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sambuus and Mandazi</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><o:p><br /></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*It was a sumptuous meal that I
spent the next few days watching and listening to </span><a href="https://youtu.be/cHJ7Txnd01k"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Somalia Toso</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> by
Ilyas Mao ft. Saabik Poetry. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cHJ7Txnd01k" width="320" youtube-src-id="cHJ7Txnd01k"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Bamidele
Adekunle<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">ECVOntario
& Intellectnomics Research Group (IRG)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">SEDRD,
University of Guelph<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-68306779843873000672022-02-01T09:40:00.001-08:002022-02-03T11:24:48.151-08:00How the Pandemic Affected Restaurants and Cafes <p> </p><p><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 15pt;">Cafes are Booming and Coffee Drinkers Can’t Stop </span></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px;">*</span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">This is part of our series on the nexus between COVID-19 and food systems.</i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJ2i2XH3V4Qa7krgDQBMc1_LhfPUc6eAXZGV7523qmlwiim9LxxU4M_62F_CQ4WHhf4IFiEKgBS4cK0CuQE7Ir0hKLM2YICUdVxGLwE4c1H9t7mw7jbJMsVPTmrKQiiQSKfWZcvoPccyKUz5FnoqICSP_cSEJflsgYitXFGaP8wP2Gw080Z5Ld5L_qrw=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1047" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJ2i2XH3V4Qa7krgDQBMc1_LhfPUc6eAXZGV7523qmlwiim9LxxU4M_62F_CQ4WHhf4IFiEKgBS4cK0CuQE7Ir0hKLM2YICUdVxGLwE4c1H9t7mw7jbJMsVPTmrKQiiQSKfWZcvoPccyKUz5FnoqICSP_cSEJflsgYitXFGaP8wP2Gw080Z5Ld5L_qrw=s320" width="262" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">The exquisite skill in perfecting latte art comes with practice. These little details are the cherry on top for a coffee. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">I stepped into the café for
my final interview. I didn’t know much about them other than a good friend of
mine held her wedding at one of their locations the summer before. Thankfully,
I did a quick Google search to learn some more insight. I was met with a
friendly barista who directed me to the interviewers, nestled into the corner
table away from all the other customers dining in. I sat down without shaking
their hands, mask stayed on and thanked them for the opportunity to meet in
person as the previous interview was via Zoom. The interview was short; 10
minutes tops. With my luck and charm, I received the offer letter the following
morning. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Upon
starting this new role as Café Manager, I was well aware many establishments
were struggling. Even this company was struggling as a whole in both e-commerce
and café. I trained at a location where sales were depleted by more than 50%.
It was difficult to learn anything when there was no foot traffic. But, what I
didn't see coming was that the café I was taking over had another idea in mind.
Luckily, the following week I had the chance to work at the flagship store; the
most profitable café in the entire company. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">It
was fall 2020, the busiest season of the year. Students were moving back for a
new term at the local university, weather was absolutely beautiful and pandemic
restrictions were slightly lifted in Ontario. People were able to dine in or
out on the patio, washrooms were opened, drinks were served in ceramic mugs,
and lastly, it was pumpkin spiced season. As the sun was still shining bright
before daylight savings hits at the end of October, people were taking
advantage. My first goal was to get comfortable with the café, then figure out
logistics afterwards. It didn’t take long; I started to get to know the
regulars by name and their drinks. As the line-ups kept growing and people were
happy chatting away, there was still that feeling of uncertainty and worry.
Tables were 2 meters apart and people in queue were also 2 meters apart, along
with every customer wearing masks. If there wasn’t a yellow-tape square on the
floor for you to stand in, you’d be lining up outside. Through muffled masks
and plexiglass barriers, people walked through our doors to place their order.
Although things didn’t look or feel normal, it wasn’t stopping the coffee
drinkers from coming. Everyday there were dozens of regulars with specific
drinks and modifications. We had Doug’s two decaf americanos with steamed oat
milk. Kevin’s iced mocha with no ice (seriously, who does that?). Ryan’s large
cup triple shot americano along with his wife’s order (whom we still have yet
to meet) of a large triple shot latte with two raw sugars and sprinkles of
cocoa and cinnamon on top. These were the people you saw every single
day. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjGNXcCtcd4MmJCu17yBuNT_g4JZB_mH9LXWhDye-fhNhWPcsswFk8p7dVBLWr6ESDc6AlRbABzvZyhWRvVZ5Hc1cWszsD5kNiyDehuEgNMG4EVb8jikK9_G4l8421uDUjxo9_MkrLwXU33LiJJ8wnIsdN__XTg9ywGc9CssAKF4CbNYrfDzGhZITGtw=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1026" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjGNXcCtcd4MmJCu17yBuNT_g4JZB_mH9LXWhDye-fhNhWPcsswFk8p7dVBLWr6ESDc6AlRbABzvZyhWRvVZ5Hc1cWszsD5kNiyDehuEgNMG4EVb8jikK9_G4l8421uDUjxo9_MkrLwXU33LiJJ8wnIsdN__XTg9ywGc9CssAKF4CbNYrfDzGhZITGtw=s320" width="257" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">Steaming milk to look silky and velvety is an art itself. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Overtime, we had noticed
people itching to get into a proper routine, whether it was to grab their
double espressos at 7:30 in the morning, or a warm chai latte to finish the
day. The interactions had also increased; regulars would start sharing tables
if there were no seats available. They got to know each other over coffee, or
while they worked, heads deep into their laptops. Many unfamiliar faces passed
through too; the explorers, we called them. They were the out-of-towners who
travel to hike new trails or discover new cities. Some explorers became
residents of the city, since moving out of the big city was becoming more
popular. With the local university minutes away, the storm of students would
pile in to claim their study spot, knowing they had to continue to purchase a
beverage or snack every half hour or so. The seat real estate is a hot market,
especially if you have an elderly walk through just wanting to sit by the
window, with their black coffee, enjoying an oatmeal raisin cookie. That’s the
cue for the students to pack up and move along. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Winter
was a tough season for business. Ontario was in their second lockdown, the
longest one of them all. Many businesses were closed but since cafes are
considered essential, this café was up and running. Sales had plummeted,
students had stopped coming and we saw less explorers. The business was banking
on the regulars to come in and they did not disappoint. Mother Nature could
call for 20cm of snow with a windchill of -25 degrees Celsius and you’d still
see Tim trek through that storm, covered in white fluffy snow, wearing his grey
beret and brown leather gloves (both items in which he always misplaces), in
his Scottish accent asking for his coffee. All you could do was smile and
gladly serve him. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Fast
forward to fall 2021; another pumpkin spiced season and another autumn of warm
weather. This time around, the café had extended their hours into the early
evenings and seating capacity was maxed. There no longer is yellow tape on the
ground and everyone is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It
was a record breaking month for the café. Our café was doing 17% more sales
compared to 2019, pre pandemic. These were astounding numbers as no one
predicted this happening. But as a business, we’ll take what we can get. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">To
this day, we still see Doug, Kevin and Ryan. And out of the three, Doug has
changed his order to two medium decaf mochas with almond milk, half the
sweetness to top it off. The other two are still enjoying the same drink
everyday. Let’s not forget about Tim; he’s still around too. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt;">Linden Ngo</span></b><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>Café</b></span></span><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt;"> Manager & Guest Contributor</span></b></p><p><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt;">ECVOntario</span></b></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-47752054198290096682022-01-06T09:50:00.001-08:002022-01-10T15:13:32.723-08:00Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Food Systems in China: the perspective of a Nigerian resident in China <p> <span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px;">*</span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">This is part of our series on the nexus between COVID-19 and food systems.</i></span></b></p><p><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"><br /></i></span></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The
purpose of this write-up is to express or show the impact of Covid-19 pandemic
on the food system in China as it has affected me. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjO4GVLLdDePGz8hEYkWVasOZITSVWG89xiGWgzvy3aOId349G886PP18PcHfneVha9_4UvwPUYgtQmBCGyo7DNsH0t1MgC2j8b7hUCC1o8p1Er-ODWMj00Mv7ByPIcAPdiwVBm8F_OR2XjtejVSEtEVQ6A80vdDgymj0HmJG9Eq-KWsemIrnSIXM2zbA=s1080" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjO4GVLLdDePGz8hEYkWVasOZITSVWG89xiGWgzvy3aOId349G886PP18PcHfneVha9_4UvwPUYgtQmBCGyo7DNsH0t1MgC2j8b7hUCC1o8p1Er-ODWMj00Mv7ByPIcAPdiwVBm8F_OR2XjtejVSEtEVQ6A80vdDgymj0HmJG9Eq-KWsemIrnSIXM2zbA=w335-h240" width="335" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refrigerated Products - A Store in Shanghai</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I
am a foreigner, living and working in China for 18 years in the education
industry. A few years ago, I started a Nigerian ‘cook from home food and delivery’
on a small scale and I also cook Nigerian food for various events and parties
in Shanghai where I reside.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">What
became now a pandemic started as an epidemic in the city of Wuhan in China’s
Hubei Province in late 2019 as I remember. On January 24<sup>th</sup>, 2020,
which was Chinese New Year eve, I travelled with my family to celebrate the
Chinese New Year in my younger brother’s in-law city which is at least six
hours drive from Shanghai where we both live and work. My brother and his
family left a day before us with lots of food. We set out the following day and
filled the trunk of the car with many delicious foods both perishable and non-perishable
as custom demands during the festival.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We
arrived at the city in the afternoon of the eve after driving for more than six
hours, checked in at the hotel and then headed to the family house for the eve
dinner which usually starts in the evening. We ate, drank, lit fireworks
because it’s a village and after midnight that ushered in the New Year, we
headed back to the hotel to sleep. We kept the food we brought from Shanghai in
the deep freezer hoping to cook it in the days ahead. Chinese New Year’s
holiday is one week, and we intended to stay four nights and then return to
Shanghai on day four. So, it was easy to estimate the food needed during the
festive period<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I
would like to say the impact on me is in two ways. Epidemic impact (domestic)
and Pandemic impact (global). We went back to eat at the family house on
Chinese New Year’s Day and after dinner, we started hearing the news on the TV
about the seriousness of the epidemic (then) and nobody really prepared for
what happened next. After dinner the village head who happens to be a family head
informed us the village would be locked down the following day and we might
need to leave for Shanghai in case of lock down so that we would not be
stranded in the village. I just drove almost seven hours the previous day and I
would have to drive another seven hours back! For me, this is the beginning of
the loss of my mental and social strength because it’s quite difficult to tell
the host we must leave even though they also knew what’s at stake. In the end I
and my brother’s family were all convinced we must go back to Shanghai because it
would not be so good if we were locked in the village and our livelihood in
Shanghai may be compromised.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">From
this time, I started experiencing the impact domestically because some foods
especially seafood and vegetables that needed to be consumed that night were
supposed to be thrown out. Even we tried to give it to our host but there was
just too much food so storage became a problem since nobody envisaged, we could
leave that night. We got back to Shanghai the following morning and very early,
so we were tired and slept off. In the afternoon we woke up and tried to listen
to the news and then it was reported some cities along the epicenter Wuhan also
had to be locked down. Those are the cities we passed by the other night and
were all relieved that we had taken the best decision to go back to Shanghai.
However, the same day we started hearing people were lining up to enter
shopping malls, restaurants, and apartment buildings. And their body
temperatures were being checked and recorded; there was a mask mandate, etc. My
wife decided to drive out to observe what was going on because I was just too
tired to even walk. A few hours later she came back, and she asked me to go
down and help her to move some foodstuff. To my surprise, she came home with a
lot of food and I was wondering if we were having a party that day. I asked her
why she bought a lot of food and she said people have started stocking up on
food at home in the realization that if the epidemic is serious, supermarkets
will run out of supplies soon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLSk2O5B3FeV_T2JOWHLPZL80Bp5O-Bk8OdxJYlzX3lY8QmHtluAR2zSJjCinOowqepTvYvP-zg4UdlqQ5Wyang_-0nza4EH5J8MbiAGBmLeABU2HKVg3LWCw56X1WNej2n94zgMzJhobO21zRYnvAa-zoIx4XxhJQQ93eLuDnNuWEWXq1Tb9dn489OQ=s1080" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLSk2O5B3FeV_T2JOWHLPZL80Bp5O-Bk8OdxJYlzX3lY8QmHtluAR2zSJjCinOowqepTvYvP-zg4UdlqQ5Wyang_-0nza4EH5J8MbiAGBmLeABU2HKVg3LWCw56X1WNej2n94zgMzJhobO21zRYnvAa-zoIx4XxhJQQ93eLuDnNuWEWXq1Tb9dn489OQ=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruits and vegetables in a supermarket in Shanghai</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Infections
started to rise, and the unexpected lockdown happened and at this point, so we
needed to go stock our home with more food. As it was winter, we could put some
perishables like veggies, and fruits in the balcony because the deep freezer
and fridge were full to the brim. We even stocked our home with drinkable
bottled water. We should not forget this was Chinese Year, a one-week holiday. We
all believed everything would be okay after the holiday but that was not the
case and in fact, things got much worse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">At
the end of the holiday, it was already declared that no one was going back to
work. Schools, restaurants, and supermarkets were put on specific and monitored
schedules with regards to their food supply chain as it was said at that time,
humans are getting infected by eating bush or exotic meat. As a result, there
was stringent monitoring of the domestic supply chain for food which led to short
supply or sometimes no supplies of some food in the market. Since markets and
other food producing lines are being monitored for the opening and closing
schedule, people had to rush and buy in large quantities each time since we didn’t
know if we could get such items again next time and in what quantities that we
wanted to buy. Even now, sometimes I get the food supplies that I want and sometimes
I don’t, and I just must look for substitutes which only work in a few cases in
terms of consumption satisfaction. It came to a time when many local shops were
even shut down indefinitely thus making the supply chains limited. With money
in hand and few goods to buy, prices of commodities rose and sometimes were too
expensive to afford.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">As
a freelancer in the education industry, my payment is based on services
rendered and when education institutions were locked down, cash was not coming
in and it was hard to cope with the rising cost of food. I did not have any
choice but to resort to spending my savings which I was hoping to use for other
things and till now I have not been able to pay back what I have spent. There
was no financial support in the form of loans or credit for non-citizens by the
government, so I was on my own.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">After
a few weeks the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Covid-19 a pandemic as
cases of infections and deaths were seen to be increasing both locally and
globally and at that time China closed her airspace and nothing came in or went
out unless it was very essential. At that point the global (pandemic) effect of
Covid-19 started on the food system. At that time many imported cold food chains
and other imported food stores were shut down and it became impossible to get
supplies which couldn’t be substituted for, including, for example, palm oil,
which is a very crucial ingredient needed in cooking Nigerian food. I mentioned
I used to cook for parties and events or on personal grounds for clients from
my home to make some side cash. Before the pandemic was declared by WHO, I did
cook for people and delivered via a private delivery company that clients pay
for since gathering was prohibited and it became impossible to cook and eat as
a group. But when the pandemic was declared all these crucial ingredients for
which there are no substitutes here, stopped coming in and I did not have any
choice but to stop doing my side hustle. Until now I have not recovered because
the global food supply chain is still limited.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">There
is, therefore, no doubt about how negatively I have been impacted by the epidemic
which later became a pandemic. I’m counting my losses in terms of the high
prices of food commodities (local and foreign), food consumption satisfaction,
unavailability of essential or crucial food materials or ingredients, and the eventual
shutdown of the business (cooked and uncooked). At a certain point the raw food
must be kept for me and eaten by me and that means I could not make any profit
on the raw food that we had to eat ourselves since I knew for sure I would not get the food ingredients again. I can
only hope things get better and the airspace returns to the pre-pandemic level.
Hopefully the food supply chain can be normalized both domestically and globally.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxoiivRDkRzB4eX6xeimIk0ngHfwHR5AGQvleXLTGK4cjkWIfmU_Vy66cpNgIdlFZqwyvMYSGfk6Jpaytndrg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Adedeji Ayodeji Adekunle<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Shanghai Resident & Foodie<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Guest Blogger, ECVOntario<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"></i></span></b><p></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-34144602814391164632021-03-25T07:49:00.001-07:002021-03-25T14:18:19.135-07:00Understanding Intellectual Property Rights in the Context of Food Systems<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">Traditionally,
African farmers have innovatively maintained and shared a rich</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"> cultural heritage </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">of seed collection
depending on desirable traits (Kuyek, 2002) cognizant of the value of a large
seed collection. Using their traditional knowledge, farmers were able to obtain
from every harvest the best seed for the next season. When one visited family
or friends, it was a common occurrence for the farmer to return with unique yet
desirable seeds. The collection and saving of desirable varieties helped
promote seeds with desirable traits (food diversity and healthy foods). <span style="background: white;">The rich
traditions and knowledge was </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">freely passed
down over generations (</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">Kuyek, 2002</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">. E</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">mbracing free trade and the
competition that comes with free trade, these traditions are gradually
vanishing as farmers scramble for a common market. To be able to compete in the common market, farmers
are faced with the dilemma of choosing between the local and the aggressively
promoted high yielding modified varieties.
This has pushed local varieties to the peripheral in favor of the vastly
promoted improved varieties considered high yielding and more resistant to
pests and diseases. Overlooking the fact
that local varieties provide for 80% of the local food in Africa (AFSA, 2019)
and are better adopted to the local conditions. Improved seeds on the other
hand require high maintenance and are expensive as they require purchasing
every season.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ale_XG-yL8/YFyfx51uXQI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/pJ2epiyJ0SMM0UBxnkQmphBjYD4zKwp-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/IPR1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ale_XG-yL8/YFyfx51uXQI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/pJ2epiyJ0SMM0UBxnkQmphBjYD4zKwp-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IPR1.jpeg" /></a></div><o:p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A cereal grinder in a mill at Fort Portal, Uganda </span></div></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">While
African knowledge and technology is freely handed down through generations,
“improved’ varieties are grounded in intellectual property rights (IPRs) only
reproducible by the inventors. These patented varieties have swarmed the global
market displacing local varieties. Free trade has therefore created a common
market established on uneven ground as African farmers compete with established
multinational farmers whose patented technologies dominate the market. To
survive the competition that comes with free trade, farmers are obliged to
shift from local varieties to the “improved” high yielding seeds. This has not
only resulted in the gradual decline in use of local varieties, a threat to </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">foo</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">d security and sovereignty, but has challenged
the survival and existence of small-scale farmers whose knowledge and
technology has remained in the rim of the public </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">domain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">In
traditional Africa, although particular people were custodians of specific
indigenous knowledge, knowledge in general and agricultural knowledge in particular
was solely communal. This tradition was later reinforced by publicly funded
research whose results remained open to the public. As farmers, my parents have
always meticulously observed their harvests, selecting the next seed based on
the best harvests, information and seed they unreservedly shared. This practice
maintained the seed stock for generations, and my memories as a child helping
with shelling beans are those of multiple varieties of seeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was very thrilling seeing all these
different colors (varieties) as we shelled the beans. Today, shelling beans
produces a single colored bean variety, a result of mono-culture breeding closely
linked to IPRs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twjRfOA2oBU/YFyf8UPpZpI/AAAAAAAAAqU/eJVAgIjeab4PTCfq5funS0l649e3Ct7iQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/IPR2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twjRfOA2oBU/YFyf8UPpZpI/AAAAAAAAAqU/eJVAgIjeab4PTCfq5funS0l649e3Ct7iQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IPR2.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sacks of different varieties of millet and corn at the mill</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">IPR
knowledge and understanding in Africa remains low with technology development
marred by pirating and illegal duplication, creating a disincentive to the
inventors. The lack of proper understanding of IPR leaves many countries
without a proper promotion, implementation and monitoring structure. For Africa
to promote the local varieties and preserve their stock there is a need to
understand and exploit the value of IPR for their benefit. Most countries in
Africa do not have well defined rules and regulations on IPR (Kameri- Mbote,
2005), with some still depending on regulations set during the colonial times
or a copy and paste from donor countries that do not reflect the needs of the
local community. The laxity in the system is associated with a shortage of
scholars in IPR; with a country like Uganda with a handful of IPR legal experts
(Van Woensel, 2021 personal communication). This has translated into high
levels of pirating and illegal use of copyrights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The end game has been a loss of motivation as
traditional knowledge is maintained as public property and local communities
turned into consumers of patents while proprietors enjoy the ridiculous profits
associated with IPRs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Although
IPRs may be an incentive for disclosure as inventors are financially rewarded
for their inventions</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">(Van Woensel, 2021 personal communication), to
some extent introduction of IPRs established an element of knowledge “hoarding”
and commercialization where one owns a right and only realizes it for commercial
purposes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In agriculture, the lucrative
IPRs have increased enthusiasm in research and innovation by the private sector
causing knowledge confinement and inaccessibility by those with less purchasing
power (Drahos, 2016) while capitalists amass wealth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IPRs have therefore facilitated a market
concentration dominated by multinational co-operations causing an
anti-competitive behavior (ActionAid, 2002) where only a few players are able
to compete. This is well elaborated in public research done by </span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;">the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">CGIAR) Centers
like </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">International
Institute of Tropical Agriculture (</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">IITA) where technologies
are developed and freely shared and researchers recognized for the exemplary
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has enabled publicly funded
research, with minimal IPR restrictions, to continue flourishing as a public
product accorded equal accessibility for all. In collaboration with the CGIAR centers,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> National programs have
developed new varieties resistant to deadly diseases and pests such as cassava
mosaic virus that had threatened the existence of cassava </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">(Manyong
et al., 2000), Honduran Foundation for Agricultural Research (</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">FHIA) bananas
resistant to fusarium wilt (Ploetz, 2015) among many others</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> On the contrary, private sectors like Bayer
Monsanto, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">although they may depend on public funds to
facilitate part of the research, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">have
developed new seed varieties under extended IPRs only commercially accessible
by the wealthy.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Short-term restrictive IPRs </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">promote
creativity and innovation and promote the wellbeing of the community as they
allow room for generics which are cheaper and at times are improved versions. For
example, in Uganda, the development of a generic HIV/AIDS drug by Cipla Quality
Chemical Industries (CQCI) was able to bring down the cost of medication from
$16,000 to $100 per annum and saved the lives of millions who still depend on
the generic drug (Charon and Soustras, 2020). P<span style="background: white; color: black;">rolonged and exaggerated restrictions especially in sectors
pertinent to human survival like agriculture and health are a concern
particularly for technologies heavily supported by public funds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>There has been ashift in the duration
and scope of IPRs from the initially shorter, geographically limited scope to a
globalised system </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">(Shah, 2013)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has been linkedto the high profit
margins associated with IPRs. To further consolidate their profits, IPRs were
globalized through an introduction in the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Globalization of IPRs has been effected by the World Trade Organization (WTO)
under the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
(Drahos, 2016). Introduction of TRIPS meant price hikes due to IPR’s related
royalty payments on innovations. These unconscionable <span style="background: white; color: black;">restrictions </span>have left IPRs a subject of discussion
with a thin line between the interests of proprietary holders and users of the
technology (Drahos, 2016). TRIPS (Trade-related aspects of intellectual
property rights) was instituted as a tool to ensure participating WTO countries
abide by the rules to curtail losses incurred through plagiarism, pirating and
illegal copying. However, the pervasive patenting of innovations through TRIPS
was initiated with selfish intentions leading to a slow diffusion and
utilization of new inventions in the less developed economies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus the regulations of TRIPS have tended to
destroy the actual essence of creativity and innovation, raising the question
of the ethics of IPRs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Although IPRs are
meant to be an incentive for disclosure, extended patents may cause a market failure
due to the exclusion factor (Selgelid, 2008). This is elaborated in the
HIV/AIDS prevalenceas millions of lives were lost in low income countries due
to ridiculous prices for anti-retroviral drugs creating drug inaccessibility.
The impact of medication accessibility still lingers-on 30 years after the
on-set of HIV/AIDS. Bread winners were wiped out, households left under the
care of teenage kids and the mother to child transmission resulted in millions
of deaths and suffering of children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Children born with HIV/AIDS continue facing the consequences of an
avoidable problem. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Motivated by the records of patenting, giant
companies continue in the “game of profits” as the COVID 19 vaccine rolls
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It should be noted that human life
is more than a game and a gamble between profit making giants. Countries should
be able to have a civil conversation and agree to regulations that protect
humanity. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">TRIPS
recognizes the challenges of struggling economies through the provision of
flexibilities under a national emergency. However, the standard definition of national
emergency has remained a contentious issue, with some countries threatened with
sanctions if compulsory licensing is applied. When is it an accepted national
emergency?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is COVID 19 considered a state
of emergency for some countries?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile,
the fear of the unequal COVID 19 vaccine roll-out is real in the developing
economies as expressed by Adekunle (2020), in his piece based on the Socratic
Method -Iatrogenic: The Dilemma of Ingenuity. Knowing more pandemics are likely,
what options do we have?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For sure </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #202122; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">IPRs should be utilized to promote technological innovation
while promoting the transmission and diffusion of innovation for the mutual
benefit of everyone. It is necessary to revisit the regulations of TRIPS with
clearly defined rules and regulations governing the implementation of IPR and
application of </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">compulsory licensing</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #202122; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">As
mentioned earlier developing economies especially Africa, lag in their
knowledge and ability to analyze, construe and implement IPRs. As a result,
African farmers have perpetually remained a consumer rather than beneficiaries
of IPRs as their government officials are unable to favorably negotiate for their
people.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #202122; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Countries </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">need to take an initiative in developing capacity in
understanding and managing IPRs for a meaningful negotiation and leverage the
regulations to their advantage. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">For Africa to develop and have
an equitable benefit from IPRs, there should be a strengthening of the South –
South regional partnership in innovation (Shah et al., 2013). Countries should
work together to strengthen their understanding of IPR and use the regional
networking to lower costs and enhance their R&D through shared
infrastructure, expertise and knowledge.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reference</span></b></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Aakash Kaushik Shah,
Jonathan Warsh, and Aaron S. Kesselheim (2013).</span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
</span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">The Ethics of Intellectual Property Rights in an Era of Globalization.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">ActionAid, 2002. From Rhetoric to Rights: Towards gender –
Just Trade. </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.actionaid.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/from_rhetoric_to_rights_towards_gender-just_trade_actionaid_policy_briefing.pdf"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">from_rhetoric_to_rights_towards_gender-just_trade_actionaid_policy_briefing.pdf</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Adekunle, B., 2020.
Iatrogenic: The dilemma of Ingenuity.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">AFSA, 2019. African
farmers’ seed rights threatened: An AFSA briefing Paper. Alliance for
FoodSovereignty in Africa. </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://afsafrica.org/african-farmers-seed-rights-threatened-an-afsa-briefing-paper/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">African Farmers’ Seed
Rights Threatened : an AFSA briefing paper – AFSA (afsafrica.org)</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; text-align: left;">Drahos. P., 2016. The Real News Network. (2016, October 22). <i>TRIPS:
Linking Intellectual Property to Trade - Peter Drahos 1/7</i> [Video]. YouTube.
</span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCJ2cDgoZ_Q" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCJ2cDgoZ_Q</span></a></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kameri- Mbote. P.,
2005.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Intellectual Property Rights in
Africa: An Assessment of the Status of Laws, Research and Policy analysis on
Intellectual Property Rights in Kenya. IELRC working paper. </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://ielrc.org/Content/w0502.pdf"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Intellectual Property Protection in Africa
(ielrc.org)</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Manyong, V.M., Dixon,
A.G.O., Makinde, K.O., Bokanga, M. and Whyte J. (2000).</span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">The contribution of IITA-improved cassava to
food security in sub-Saharan Africa: an impact study. Nigeria. IITA and Modern
Design & Associates Ltd.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">Ploetz R. C., 2015. Fusarium Wilt
of banana. Phytopathology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>APS Publications.105:
1512- 1521.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/10.1094/PHYTO-04-15-0101-RVW"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">Fusarium Wilt of Banana | Phytopathology®
(apsnet.org)</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Selgelid, M. J. ‘A
Full-Pull Program for the Provision of Pharmaceuticals: Practical Issues.’
Public Health Ethics 1.2 (2008): 134–45.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">Shah, K. A., Warsh, J and
Kesselheim., A. S., 2013. The Ethics of Intellectual Property Rights in an Era
of Globalization </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://philpapers.org/asearch.pl?pub=11069"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"> 41 (4):841-851 (2013)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">.</span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Van Woensel, 2021. Personal
communication.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Examiner at
European Patent Office.</span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Christine
Kajumba Kaahwa</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Food
and Digitalization Expert</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Guest
Contributor</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">ECV
Ontario</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-50418741110038433312021-03-05T09:51:00.000-08:002021-03-05T09:51:27.567-08:00Impact of COVID-19 on the Food Systems in Kenya<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">*</span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">This is part of our series on the nexus between COVID-19 and food systems.</i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">In the summer of 2020, I went to Kenya, a
country I lived in for more than 10 years as a refugee, to visit my family.
While I was there taking my fall and winter classes online, the positive side
of COVID-19, I learned a lot about the aftermath of the pandemic on food
security in the country.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">In Kenya, the food system is going through
extremely huge challenges. Some of these challenges arise from floods that
destroyed many crops while desert locusts became a thorn in the flesh. “</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The locust swarms are the biggest in 25 years for Ethiopia and
Somalia, and the worst Kenya has seen for 70 years,” </span><!--[if supportFields]><span
lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;
color:#2E2E2E'><span style='mso-element:field-begin;mso-field-lock:yes'></span>ADDIN
CSL_CITATION
{"citationItems":[{"id":"ITEM-1","itemData":{"author":[{"dropping-particle":"","family":"Devi","given":"Sharmila","non-dropping-particle":"","parse-names":false,"suffix":""}],"container-title":"The
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style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">(Devi, 2020)</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;
color:#2E2E2E'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>COVID-19
restrictions in crop production, supply, and marketing posed an impassable
obstacle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Drought
has been an incapacitating factor in Kenya. Thousands of animals, a backbone
for many people in rural areas died from starvation. Therefore, there were
already loose ends before the COVID-19 measures worsened the situation. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">The food supply mechanisms are undertaken on
a small scale and most of them informal distributors between farmers and
markets. These distributors were disrupted by COVID-19 rules, which prohibit
crowds in main marketplaces. Many households in Nairobi and other important Kenyan
places are not able to buy enough food because of limited supplies while the
most affected were the lower-income people. Due to the broken supply system,
farmers lost thousands of shillings in perishable goods in their farms.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">The middle- and high-income classes seem to
be better off because they can buy fresh goods from supermarkets. The economic
inequality gap is quite wide in Kenya, a reason that natural disasters such as COVID-19
do not affect all Kenyans similarly. For example, laying off employees
when the government does not support them causes daunting frustration among the
laid off. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not the same for the
upper-class citizens who either own businesses such as Safaricom or have
well-paying permanent government jobs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Survival Dilemma among workers<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Many small businesses have had to shut down because of the
extended curfew time and lack of government incentives, forcing businesses to
operate not earlier or later than 10 pm until 4 am disadvantages them. Motor bike
(commonly known as a boda-boda) is the most used form of transport because of
its flexibility. The curfew restrictions do not, however, allow indigent owners
to work any time after 10 pm, thus preventing them from eking out a living. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Small scale retailers such as those who sell camel milk in
Eastleigh, a Somali Community dominated region of Nairobi, are among those who
are facing a huge shortage of camel milk. Camel milk is transported from the remote
countryside where camels find fresh pasture by boda-boda and vans. Limited movement
is due to COVID-19 is to blame for the reduction. </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://africa.businessinsider.com/strategy/camel-milk-can-cost-dollar30-a-litre-why-is-it-so-expensive/4429wx0"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Camel milk is very much valued and
used in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;"> because
of its traditionally known high quality. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Many studies have reported that
camel milk has a very high concentration of mono-and polyunsaturated fatty
acids, serum albumin, lactoferrin, immunoglobulin's, vitamins C, and E,
lysozyme, manganese, and iron, as well as the hormone insulin. Therefore, camel
milk can be prescribed as a remedy to combat many human illnesses </span><!--[if supportFields]><span
lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;
color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext;background:white'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin;mso-field-lock:yes'></span>ADDIN CSL_CITATION
{"citationItems":[{"id":"ITEM-1","itemData":{"DOI":"10.9755/ejfa.2015-05-296","ISSN":"20790538","abstract":"Camel
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studies have reported, that camel milk has very high concentration of mono-and
polyunsaturated fatty acids, serum albumin, lactoferrin, immunoglobulin's,
vitamins C, and E, lysozyme, manganese and iron, as well as the hormone
insulin. Therefore, camel milk can be prescribed as remedy in many human
illnesses. It has been proven as a useful application in stomach and intestinal
disorders, Diabetes-1, food allergy. In addition camel milk has been used to
reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, to avoid psoriasis disease, to heal
inflammation in the body, to assist patients with tuberculosis, helping to strengthen
the human immune system, to reduce the growth of cancer cells and to cure
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style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">(Kaskous,
2016)</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext;
background:white'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">The stay-at-home policy response to the pandemic exposes
vulnerable Kenyans across the country because they do not receive any
government assistance. As a third-world country, Kenya is not able to support
its citizens in a bid to uphold COVID-19 regulations. I traveled to North
Eastern Kenya, a ‘Somali-Kenyan’ community-dominated province and one that
shares a border with Somalia. COVID-19 impacted the food security of this
province severely because of the instability created by insurgent groups such
as Al-Shabab and the political rift between Kenya and Somalia that stopped
random trade activities across the border. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 16.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Corruption in Kenya exacerbates the
living conditions of citizens</span></b></span><span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">The undeniable reality of economic strain in Kenya is
accompanied by overwhelming corruption in government institutions. <span style="background: white;">Government officials, especially those in the Ministry
of Health have been accused of fraudulent funds mismanagement. COVID-19 funds
are suspected to have been used for different purposes instead of supporting
poor Kenyans’ need to have food on the table as well as providing personal
protective equipment as a shield against the virus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">The price of Ugali (Kenya’s most stable
food) and supposedly the cheapest food is barely affordable for many
Kenyans both in the cities and rural residents. Distrust between government and
local farmers undermines people’s access to fresh farm products, which most
Kenyans depend on since they cannot afford food in supermarkets. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Similarly, unemployment has soared among
young people. Of course, the pandemic has made a visible contribution to
unemployment but that is not it all; nepotism, bribery, and greed already
besmirch most governance. The country is engaged in two fights: one with COVID-19
and the other with corruption. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MdJ4nFs8tFA/YEJuG-bQ8MI/AAAAAAAAAp8/dBOOq2nfGNgdYMe22PPXHel5dPDJfuQmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Gorad%2B-%2BUgali%2Band%2BShukumawiki.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MdJ4nFs8tFA/YEJuG-bQ8MI/AAAAAAAAAp8/dBOOq2nfGNgdYMe22PPXHel5dPDJfuQmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Gorad%2B-%2BUgali%2Band%2BShukumawiki.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Ugali and sukumawiki</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;">What needs to be done</span></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Food security is the backbone of any
society whether developed or underdeveloped. All other development indicators
such as security, literacy, health, and technology build upon the foundation of
food security. Therefore, it is a hard truth that good governance will fail if
leaders do not ameliorate hunger.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;">Corruption with impunity must be limited as
much as possible by punishing perpetrators in strict compliance with the rule
of law. This would result in a fairer distribution of wealth, which would be
more conducive to a safe, inclusive, and accommodating system. The impact of
the pandemic on food security and resilience is enormous in Kenya, increasing
its fragility. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;">Reference</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 24.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -24.0pt;"><!--[if supportFields]><i><span
lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#404040;mso-themecolor:text1;
mso-themetint:191;background:white'><span style='mso-element:field-begin;
mso-field-lock:yes'></span>ADDIN Mendeley Bibliography CSL_BIBLIOGRAPHY <span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span></i><![endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">Devi, S. (2020). Locust swarms in east Africa could be “a
catastrophe.” <i>The Lancet (British Edition)</i>, <i>395</i>, 547–547.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 24.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">Kaskous, S. (2016). Importance of camel milk for human
health. <i>Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture</i>, <i>28</i>(3), 158–163.
https://doi.org/10.9755/ejfa.2015-05-296<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><!--[if supportFields]><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:#404040;mso-themecolor:text1;mso-themetint:191;background:white'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span></i><![endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;">Gorad Muhumed<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;">Undergraduate Research Assistant <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;">ECVOntario <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;">University of Guelph<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 300%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-62438149446957620462021-02-28T14:57:00.001-08:002021-02-28T15:03:39.754-08:00COVID-19 and ‘bouncing forward’ strategies for Cameroon’s Food Sector<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">*</span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">This is part of our series on the nexus between COVID-19 and food systems.</i></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">The impact
of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, exposing the vulnerable nature of
different businesses. However, how we learn, adapt or transform our ‘usual’ operations
and management regimes are critical for a resilient and sustainable recovery.
The Republic of Cameroon is a Central African nation with a current population
of about </span><a href="https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/cameroon-population/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4a6ee0;">26 million people</span></a><span style="color: #0e101a;"> and a </span><a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/446648/gross-domestic-product-gdp-in-cameroon/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4a6ee0;">projected GDP of US$ 44.4 billion
in 2025</span></a><span style="color: #0e101a;">. More than 60% of Cameroonians
are employed and engaged in the primary and secondary sectors of the economy,
dominated by agricultural activities, petit traders, and also processing and
manufacturing of </span><a href="https://santandertrade.com/en/portal/analyse-markets/cameroon/economic-outline" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4a6ee0;">"light consumer goods and
textiles."</span></a><span style="color: #0e101a;"> These sectors play
an essential role in their contribution to GDP, employment, and livelihoods for
Cameroonians. Small businesses like restaurants and open-air food vendors are
an integral part of Cameroon’s economy. They sell different food such as ‘<em>puff
puff’</em> and beans, roasted fish, roasted beef (<em>suya</em>), roasted
pork, shawarma, cowpea (<em>koki), cornflour and vegetables (kati-kati), </em>and<em> </em>eru
(<em>Gnetum africanum)</em>, to name a few. However, with the emergence of
COVID-19, many of these restaurants closed down, affecting the food supply
chain and a </span><a href="https://www.voanews.com/africa/cameroons-poor-benefit-while-food-traders-suffer-pandemic-closures" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4a6ee0;">significant 70% drop in food prices
since suppliers had no other market options</span></a><span style="color: #0e101a;">.
Thus, developing strategies that build resilience and adaptive capacity for
those engaged in the food sector to existing stresses and future shocks is
quintessential. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #0e101a;">How
the food sector operates in Cameroon</span></strong><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Like many
other middle-and-low income countries, Cameroon’s food sector is underdeveloped
in terms of physical and cyber infrastructures, digitalization and the lack of
financial sources for </span><a href="https://www.businessincameroon.com/tags/small-and-medium-sized-enterprises">small
business incubation and entrepreneurship.</a><span style="color: #0e101a;"> Aside
from the few fancy and expensive restaurants (those selling food for at least
US $2) in large cities, most cooked food is sold along roadsides and at
open-air markets. Smallholder farmers sell their livestock, poultry and fruit
and vegetables directly to food sellers and individuals or, at times, using the
services of <a href="https://www.howwemadeitinafrica.com/connecting-famers-buyers-cameroon/55254/">wholesale
buyers who transport the produce to other cities.</a> With such a simple and
linear food supply chain, any disruption affects everyone involved, from
producer to consumer. For example, a forthcoming study led by the author shows
that there is a wide gap in the supply and demand for fish in Cameroon and an
increase in fish price due to the pandemic. The principal challenge for food
sellers and those engaged in the food chain is poor delivery and food supply
services and the reliance on face-to-face financial and physical transactions.
Such a system is vulnerable to systemic shocks like COVID-19, where health
protocols like lockdowns are recommended. Thus, there is a need for innovation
and the development of strategies that are resilient and robust to these kinds
of disruptions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lpfVUAz39ws/YDwfJkLF3SI/AAAAAAAAApw/e9o02ntVO5si8YX-aJbJjLSh-EeRMpH1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/Shawarma%2BCamerooun.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lpfVUAz39ws/YDwfJkLF3SI/AAAAAAAAApw/e9o02ntVO5si8YX-aJbJjLSh-EeRMpH1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Shawarma%2BCamerooun.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt;">An open-air
shawarma spot in Buea, Cameroon<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The
Bouncing Forward Ideology<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Embedded
in resilience, the bouncing forward concept is important in how we design
response strategies to emerging shocks while thinking about the future in
different </span>scenarios<span style="color: #0e101a;">, including
COVID-19. Bouncing forward involves the different ways </span><a href="http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/5701/1/Manyena%20et%20al%20-%20Disaster%20resilience%20a%20bounce%20back%20or%20bounce%20forward%20ability.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4a6ee0;">we evaluate our current adaptive
capacity </span></a><span style="color: #0e101a;">to make amendments and
better prepare for future shocks. Learning and developing our capabilities,
capacity and evolving are key aspects influencing agency and varying response
decisions. With governments and society responding to the systemic shocks of
COVID-19, there is a need for deliberate changes and innovation to many aspects
of society, especially those that directly affect or address societal
problems </span><a href="https://ictlogy.net/bibliography/reports/projects.php?idp=4189&lang=es" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4a6ee0;">through social innovation.</span></a><span style="color: #0e101a;"> However, common rhetoric in society is the idea
of </span><a href="https://www.icevirtuallibrary.com/doi/pdf/10.1680/udap.13.00021" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4a6ee0;">'bouncing back,'</span></a><span style="color: #0e101a;"> i.e., maintaining the same status quo and response
strategies that seek to enhance pre-existing management regimes. With
instabilities in the global economy, adapting to the same mode of operations
will increase vulnerability to businesses and a direct impact on employment and
sustainable livelihoods. Therefore, there is a need and emphasis on </span><a href="http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/5701/1/Manyena%20et%20al%20-%20Disaster%20resilience%20a%20bounce%20back%20or%20bounce%20forward%20ability.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4a6ee0;">'bouncing forward abilities'</span></a><span style="color: #0e101a;"> that can ensure better resilience, robustness, and
society's sustainability.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #0e101a;">Innovation
and Way Forward</span></strong><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">The high
levels of </span><a href="https://www.agrilinks.org/post/stopping-quality-food-loss-sub-saharan-africa-post-covid-19-options-smallholders" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4a6ee0;">postharvest food losses in Africa</span></a><span style="color: #0e101a;"> and Cameroon, in particular, could be attributed to
poor food delivery systems and networks, especially for fresh produce. With
disruptions from COVID-19 health measures to the supply chain, lockdowns, and </span><a href="https://www.ituc-africa.org/Management-of-the-COVID-19-Crisis-in-Cameroon.html">restaurant
closures,</a><span style="color: #0e101a;"> there are no efficient systems in
which producers can supply their products directly to consumers. Creating a
system that facilitates the supply of food to consumers' doorsteps can solve
some of these problems. For example, while </span><a href="https://theconversation.com/as-coronavirus-threatens-seafood-economy-community-fisheries-find-ways-to-stay-afloat-135276" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4a6ee0;">fishers could supply fish directly
to customers</span></a><span style="color: #0e101a;"> through different
online platforms in North America, such systems are absent in Cameroon. In this
modern era, online food delivery services such as Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes,
or coordinated direct delivery of food by restaurants to an individual’s home
are becoming essential in the food business. There is a need for innovations
and investments in online and physical resources to facilitate communications
between suppliers, food sellers and consumers. Nevertheless, the idea of online
food order and delivery is beginning to grow in Cameroon, with some restaurants
providing </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Emys-Online-Restaurant-101573544858069/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4a6ee0;">options for takeaway or home
delivery.</span></a><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">One
example of how capacity can be built to support bounce-forward transformations
in Cameroonian food systems is online food delivery services, which rely on
good internet connectivity and an organized home address system for timely and
efficient food delivery. Such a delivery system also involves developing a
culture of food ordering which is currently lacking in Cameroon. Despite these
challenges, few steps can be taken to ensure a coordinated food supply chain.
With increasing access to mobile phones and internet services, participants
within a particular food supply chain can exchange phone numbers and home
addresses. Here, through arranged transport means, producers can coordinate the
supply of their products to homes and restaurants without any physical contact.
This will also involve changes in the financial transaction through the use of
services like mobile money, which is becoming a </span><a href="http://www.mediaintelligence.fr/index.php/publications/white-papers/50-assessing-the-active-use-of-mobile-money-services-in-cameroon" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4a6ee0;">popular money transfer and banking
service in Cameroon.</span></a><span style="color: #0e101a;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">In
conclusion, instituting bouncing forward strategies helps build resilience for
vulnerable food systems. For Cameroon’s food sector, bounce-forward
transformation such as investments in food delivery services through a
coordinated communication and money transfer system between producers, food
sellers and consumers are important strategies for recovery and preparedness
for future shocks. The digitalization of the food supply chain will need
developing various networks, collaboration, and exchange of information between
participants, and the availability of financial support for such
transformation. Digital innovation for Cameroon's food sector is critical for
its sustainability and adaptive capacity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Richard
Nyiawung</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">PhD
Candidate<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Geography,
Environment & Geomatics<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">University
of Guelph<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-11507939571462731012021-02-21T18:33:00.000-08:002021-02-21T18:33:17.409-08:00The Left Behind: Uncertainties of COVID-19 in Kakuma Refugee Camp<p> </p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">*</span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">This is part of our series on the nexus between COVID-19 and food systems.</i></span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">While the rest of us around the world are advised to wear masks,
wash hands and stay indoors to curb the spread of COVID-19, those who reside in
war tone countries and especially those in refugee camps, have a different
story to tell. They often do not have these options as access to running water
for example is a challenge for them. Kakuma refugee camp, one of the largest in
East Africa, is one of the areas hit really hard by the pandemic.</span></p><p></p><div style="background: white; border-bottom: none windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xp7ZzEKOzf8/YDMTRJwDmcI/AAAAAAAAApQ/L86C3t3Q4qAb4oi2t-KK5DM3kHfB53c6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/Water%2Bqueue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1280" height="290" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xp7ZzEKOzf8/YDMTRJwDmcI/AAAAAAAAApQ/L86C3t3Q4qAb4oi2t-KK5DM3kHfB53c6wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h290/Water%2Bqueue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;">Shared water tap at Kakuma III block 12</div></span><p></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kakuma which means
“nowhere” in Swahili- was established in 1991, in North Western Kenya, bordering
South Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda. During the early stages of inception, Kakuma
Refugee Camp was designed to accommodate South Sudanese refugees fleeing violence
and conflict from Sudan. Over the years, the camp has become a home of over
190,000 refugees and asylum seekers from different nationalities<a href="file:///C:/Users/Owner/Dropbox/SSHRC-IDG%202%20(Asymmetric)/Nyadual%20Makuach%20blog.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>. According to the UNHCR
facts sheet, Kakuma hosts about 21% of the refugee population in Kenya.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style="background: white; border-bottom: none windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The camp is administered by United Nation High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) and fall under Kenyan government jurisdiction. Individuals in
the camp are controlled by the Kenyan government through the Department of
Refugees Affairs (DRA), which was adopted in 2006 under the refugees' act<a href="file:///C:/Users/Owner/Dropbox/SSHRC-IDG%202%20(Asymmetric)/Nyadual%20Makuach%20blog.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>. Refugees are restricted
to staying in the camp unless permitted to travel to other parts of the country
by the camp manager -which is an arduous process. Having spent most of my
childhood in Kakuma, I recall the process of getting a travelling document for
going back to school in Nairobi taking more than three weeks. It really was,
and I think it still is a tedious process to want to get out of the camp, for
whichever reason, be it medical or school.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is only so much one can do in a semi-arid region such as
Kakuma. Access to economic resources is very limited. An average temperature of
40 degrees Celsius on a daily basis is not a good condition for agricultural
progress. Local retailers have to buy agricultural products from other parts of
the country and resell them at local markets. Otherwise, a majority, if not
all, depend on food distributed by the World Food Program (WFP) in partnership
with UNHCR. Considering the environmental condition of this camp, water is
another scarce resource. One communal tap being shared by more than 150 households.
And on top of that, the taps only run twice a day early morning and evening,
for about one hour. If one finds themselves towards the end of the queue, they
will end up with no water for a few days. Water, one of the basic human needs
is not that basic in place like Kakuma. In addition to these poor environmental
conditions, the legal constraints faced by refugees in the refugee camp have
prevented them from accessing livelihood opportunities and becoming
self-sufficient. Unlike urban refugees who can apply for “Class M” work permit,
those in Kakuma are not able to apply for work permits or at least work in
neighbouring areas. If travelling outside the camp in itself is hectic, finding
a job is therefore close to impossible!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nh8aYTELocA/YDMUDSjSl_I/AAAAAAAAApY/GRudQJ91ctYOs94VJBMieaj3D3JQeTEHACLcBGAsYHQ/s386/Waiting%2Bfor%2Bfood.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="386" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nh8aYTELocA/YDMUDSjSl_I/AAAAAAAAApY/GRudQJ91ctYOs94VJBMieaj3D3JQeTEHACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Waiting%2Bfor%2Bfood.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Residents lining up food distribution in Kakuma II distribution Center without masks.</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">In January 2021, I decided to get in touch with some of my
friends and family members in the camp who acknowledge my questions about the
living conditions in Kakuma during this pandemic. I can only imagine how bad it
can get. The air is filled with sadness, fear and uncertainty. With the
outbreak of COVID-19, the distress is particularly alarming among refugees, as
they feel isolated and disconnected from the rest of the country. With
restrictions put in place by the government of Kenya and the UNHCR, refugees
are in a limbo, finding it difficult to navigate this global health crisis. Several
government services dedicated to asylum seekers and refugees have been
suspended. This includes welcoming of new refugees, registration process and
even resettlement programs. The Refugee Affairs Secretariat (RAS) has suspended
all their activities in Nairobi and Kakuma refugee camps. UNHCR Kakuma has
passed information to refugees’ communities through a public information system
managed by Film Aid International. Refugees are restricted from leaving the
camp, with strict measures put in place for anyone who goes against the ‘law’.
An example is a caveat that anyone who leaves the camp amid the pandemic will
be arrested and UNHCR will not take any responsibility</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Owner/Dropbox/SSHRC-IDG%202%20(Asymmetric)/Nyadual%20Makuach%20blog.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[3]</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">. Besides, UNHCR is not responsible
for anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 outside the camp. Prior to the
pandemic, the population was already facing a range of challenges: barriers to
economic inclusion, poor living conditions, high level of malnutrition,
under-resourced healthcare and not so well-trained medical staff, had already
left refugees vulnerable to the pandemic</span><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’m really worried about my children,” said Joyce a mother of
two from Congo, have resided in the camp for seven years now. “If the disease
gets here, there will be high mortality. We are facing a lot of challenges
already as refugees. We don’t have enough food, water and there are all sort of
diseases here”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">People in Kakuma rely on minimal food ration aid provided by the
World Food Program (WFP) twice a month. The food is distributed in small
portions of maize, sorghum, oil and lentils and an additional $1 per person in the
form of cash transfer. With the shortage of funds, the World Food Program has
reduced the amount of food given to refugees in both Kakuma and Dadaab by 30%<a href="file:///C:/Users/Owner/Dropbox/SSHRC-IDG%202%20(Asymmetric)/Nyadual%20Makuach%20blog.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.This has made food
insufficient in camps forcing many refugees to take credits from local retail
outlets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The number of collectors at
food distribution centres has reduced by more than 50 percent because of the
pandemic. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the help of World Vision
Kenya, temporary taps have been installed at distribution centres and people
are encouraged to practice social distancing as they queue in the line to wait
for food to be distributed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-coNAOOryOy4/YDMUlLFUAYI/AAAAAAAAApk/-Gp80Xj5tygrfk_j5ghEMfgZceIfo5dKACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/Jute%2Bleaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="1280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-coNAOOryOy4/YDMUlLFUAYI/AAAAAAAAApk/-Gp80Xj5tygrfk_j5ghEMfgZceIfo5dKACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Jute%2Bleaves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;">Kakuma III marketplace. Little Halima on the right helping mother sell murere (Jute plant)</div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Even with restriction in place, there is still a lot of
crowding at distribution centres, people don’t bother wearing masks, because
they lack awareness about the dangers of the virus,” said Gatwech a South
Sudanese refugee. “We don’t have a lot of information about this disease. Only
the block leaders understand what is going on. We don’t have televisions or
radios to get any updates about the virus”, he added.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Most people in Kakuma do not have enough information about COVID-19.
As I mentioned earlier, the means of communication like radios or Televisions
are not common, there is no electricity. Even if one is fully aware of the
dangers of COVID-19 one still needs to fetch that water, stand in line to get
food, share one compound with your neighbours, share a room with four or five other
individuals, share utensils or rather eat in one plate, share latrines and so
forth. Hospitals are understaffed, protection kits are not enough for
healthcare workers and no distance measures put in place due to overcrowded space.
The spread of the virus is almost impossible to prevent. Health care providers
such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Africa Inland Church (AIC)
in Kakuma are trying their best to prevent the spread of the virus but the gap
is somewhat too wide to be bridged, leaving everyone in the camp vulnerable to acquiring
the disease.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">COVID-19 has also taken a toll on small businesses in the Kakuma
Refugee camp. Curfews have been put in place where everyone has to be home by
7:00 pm. The police roam around and if anyone is found on the street they are
arrested and fined ksh.20000. All shops are expected to close by 7:00 pm. This
is a disadvantage to businesses whose operators believes the best time to sell
is from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Roadside businesses are banned but there are still
people doing this illegally because it is the only way they can make a living</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Owner/Dropbox/SSHRC-IDG%202%20(Asymmetric)/Nyadual%20Makuach%20blog.docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[5]</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I know it’s not halal to be selling here but I don’t have a
choice. I need to make extra money so that I can buy food” said mama Halima, a
roadside seller. We are told to wear a mask, wash hands, we don't even have
sinks or money to buy these masks, she added".</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The economic consequences of the pandemic are expected to be
dire in Kakuma refugee camp. Though UNHCR and its partners are working towards
solutions to help refugees recuperate from the pandemic, the low average level
of pre-existing living conditions will make it even harder for them to recover.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 150%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><b style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">References</b></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Inside the World's 10 Largest Refugee Camps.(2012) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>UNHCR: <i>Retrieved from </i></span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=8ff1d1534e8c41adb5c04ab435b7974b"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=8ff1d1534e8c41adb5c04ab435b7974b</span></i></a></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">WFP Cuts Food Rations for Refugees in Kenya Amidst
Funding Shortfalls (2017)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Retrieved from:</span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-cuts-food-rations-refugees-kenya-amidst-funding-shortfalls"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-cuts-food-rations-refugees-kenya-amidst-funding-shortfalls</span></i></a></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Forsen., Y. & Guyatt., H (2016). Refugee Household
Vulnerability Study: Kakuma Refugee Camp<i>.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Retrieved from:<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://cdn.wfp.org/wfp.org/publications/Refugee%20HH%20Vulnerability%20Study_Kakuma%20Refugee%20Camp_%202016%2005%2006.pdf"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://cdn.wfp.org/wfp.org/publications/Refugee%20HH%20Vulnerability%20Study_Kakuma%20Refugee%20Camp_%202016%2005%2006.pdf</span></i></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chudolinska, H., (2012).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kakuma: Peaceful coexistence among 13
nationalities away from home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://ec.europa.eu/echo/field-blogs/stories/kakuma-peaceful-coexistence-among-13-nationalities-away-home_en#:~:text=The%20camp's%20most%20important%20achievement,might%20fight%20against%20each%20other"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">https://ec.europa.eu/echo/field-blogs/stories/kakuma-peaceful-coexistence-among-13-nationalities-away-home_en#:~:text=The%20camp's%20most%20important%20achievement,might%20fight%20against%20each%20other</span></i></a></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kakuma
Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Settlement, Kenya (2020): The UN Refugee Agency. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Retrieved
from<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.unhcr.org/ke/wpcontent/uploads/sites/2/2021/02/Kakuma_December-2020_Operational-Updates.pdf"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.unhcr.org/ke/wpcontent/uploads/sites/2/2021/02/Kakuma_December-2020_Operational-Updates.pdf</span></i></a></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<div style="background: white; border-bottom: none windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 170%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 170%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 170%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 170%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nyadual Makuach</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 170%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 170%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Criminology and Computer
Science Program<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 170%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 170%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Undergraduate Research
Assistant, ECVOntario</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 170%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">University of Guelph</span></b></p></div><div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Owner/Dropbox/SSHRC-IDG%202%20(Asymmetric)/Nyadual%20Makuach%20blog.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chudolinska, H., (2012). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kakuma: Peaceful coexistence among 13
nationalities away from home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://ec.europa.eu/echo/field-blogs/stories/kakuma-peaceful-coexistence-among-13-nationalities-away-home_en#:~:text=The%20camp's%20most%20important%20achievement,might%20fight%20against%20each%20other"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">https://ec.europa.eu/echo/field-blogs/stories/kakuma-peaceful-coexistence-among-13-nationalities-away-home_en#:~:text=The%20camp's%20most%20important%20achievement,might%20fight%20against%20each%20other</span></i></a></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Owner/Dropbox/SSHRC-IDG%202%20(Asymmetric)/Nyadual%20Makuach%20blog.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kakuma Refugee Camp and </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kalobeyei Settlement</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> (2020).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.unhcr.org/ke/wpcontent/uploads/sites/2/2021/02/Kakuma_December-2020_Operational-Updates.pdf"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.unhcr.org/ke/wpcontent/uploads/sites/2/2021/02/Kakuma_December-2020_Operational-Updates.pdf</span></i></a></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<div style="background: white; border-bottom: none windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 170%; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 18.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 170%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Owner/Dropbox/SSHRC-IDG%202%20(Asymmetric)/Nyadual%20Makuach%20blog.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="background-color: transparent;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Information retrieved from residents in Kakuma refugee
camp (2021)</span></p></div></div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Owner/Dropbox/SSHRC-IDG%202%20(Asymmetric)/Nyadual%20Makuach%20blog.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""></a><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Owner/Dropbox/SSHRC-IDG%202%20(Asymmetric)/Nyadual%20Makuach%20blog.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">[4]</span></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">WFP Cuts Food Rations for Refugees in Kenya Amidst
Funding Shortfalls (2017)</span></p></div><div id="ftn5" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Retrieved
from:</span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">
</span></i><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-cuts-food-rations-refugees-kenya-amidst-funding-shortfalls"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-cuts-food-rations-refugees-kenya-amidst-funding-shortfalls</span></i></a></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn6" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Owner/Dropbox/SSHRC-IDG%202%20(Asymmetric)/Nyadual%20Makuach%20blog.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Information was collected from a resident in Kakuma (2020)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"></i></span></b><p></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-42675989527928514612021-01-18T15:49:00.003-08:002021-01-18T15:49:59.605-08:00COVID-19 and Randomness: How the Pandemic has Deepened Inequality in Uganda<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;">*</span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">This is part of our series on the nexus between COVID-19 and food systems.</i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">The on-set of COVID-19 has had dire
consequences with the c<span style="background: white;">ontrol measures put in
place severely impacting the economy and livelihood</span> of a predominantly
agricultural Uganda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="background: white;">Agriculture and all related activities were put to a
halt with almost 3 million feared to fall into deeper poverty (World Bank,
2020). </span>The<span style="background: white;"> sudden and unexpected
disruptions caused by the</span> lockdown, travel restrictions and curfew left
the frail and venerable economy, at the verge of<span style="background: white;">
collapsing, with the resilience of the economy to adapt and </span>bounce back <span style="background: white;">from these unexpected pressures put to the test of
time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">The lockdown saw</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
a positive response with people complying with the regulations; however, the
hasty implementation of the lockdown left many loose ends;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Loss
of employment for many small business owners and employees.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">An
abrupt cut on source of income and livelihood for many wage earners.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A
stop to public transportation devoid of any alternatives for essential workers
and those going to hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A
lack of provision for a source or supply of groceries and essential
commodities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
start of COVID 19 was well managed as people heeded to the stay home
regulations, with a manageable impact on the economy. However, the strain of
the prolonged lockdown was eventually a greater reality to the country
considered mildly affected. The politically charged country, preparing for an
election saw political leaders take advantage of the situation as they
inculcated doubt, fear and distrust to their advantage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Propaganda about the virus being a political
makeup stirred commotion and skepticism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With a desperate population and an ill planned and hasty lockdown, a
recipe for disaster loomed and a heightened threat for the imminent danger of
COVID 19. The immediate and significant effect was first felt in the food
sector due to a disruption in the food supply chain as the travel ban took
effect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While many people scrambled to
stock food supplies, toilet paper, sanitizer and vitamins, Ugandans tousled
with the fear of where tomorrow’s food would come from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In
Canada, the COVID 19 response plan was instituted to support individuals,
businesses, and sectors affected by COVID 19. Measures in place included
insurance benefits, recovery benefits, recovery sickness benefits, recovery
care-giving benefits and mortgage payment deferral. This was done to ensure <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">people stayed home, contained the
spread of the virus and would be able to recover after the impact.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;">Uganda’s government, on the other hand, was a
beneficiary of the World Bank COVID 19 recovery support, meant to<span style="background: white;"> protect the most vulnerable, and support economic
recovery. This included supporting farmers’ access to agricultural inputs to
enable increased production thus boosting nutrition and food security.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The recovery program also supported the
senior citizens and those considered </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">in
utmost need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The beneficiaries of the
program received food stamps, maize flour and beans.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
food stamp distribution was problematic as the quality of the food was very
poor due to poor post harvest handling. There was also a general outcry of the
lack of options, as everyone was expected to consume maize flour and beans. In
addition, many in rural areas were not considered for the food stamps as it was
assumed the rural communities were food secure. Faced with the uncertainty, low
income earners struggled for basic commodities, while members of the middle
class hoarded food, causing a food scarcity and sending food prices escalating.
Though those in the urban areas would not afford or access the food, the rural
folks would not get their produce to the markets. Food scarcity was rampant in
the cities causing inflation in food prices while in the rural areas food went
to waste leaving farmers struggling to make ends meet without an income;
livelihood had been cut off as they depend on the food sold.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
immediate food shortage and exorbitant food prices yet registered losses in
other parts of the country are an example of an inherent inequality within
Uganda’s policy implementation framework.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although suitable policies have been set to boost agricultural
production, the economy continues to struggle with many under fed, poorly
nourished and struggling for market accessibility. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Taking
an example, the government has instituted a surveillance policy to ensure
timely and relevant information is maintained in order to guarantee calamities
are contained. <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Analysing this
policy in the light of COVD 19 apparently indicates the government’s inadequate
preparation for the outbreak as well as poor implementation. The quantity of
the food was inadequate and the distribution biased, leaving many starving
families not provided for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As well the
food quality was poor and considered unfit for human consumption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only was the </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">implementation framework lacking, the coordination and
distribution was deficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>T</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">he
well intended policies left many <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">hungry,
with others wondering whether the government had a safety net in place. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Uganda’s favorable weather and rainfall pattern has
always ensured a good harvest in many parts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although, some parts of the country experience below average food
production, well planned and coordinated post harvest handling and distribution
should ensure a food sufficient country. However, the country has </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">chronically
registered high levels of malnutrition and hunger with households unable to
provide a sustainable food supply. At the same time, equally high food waste
continues to affect the agricultural system. This is </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">a result of poor processing and storage techniques, as
well as poor transportation to markets</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">. The arrival of COVID-19
made the situation worse as it unveiled an already existing weak link in the
fragile system, as well as exposed the government’s lack of consideration of
cultural diversity and food sovereignty in addressing food security. Uganda is
a country with diverse foods, apart from maize and beans, healthy and
culturally acceptable crops like millet, sorghum, peas, groundnuts, sim sim
(sesame) are grown and consumed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Although maize is grown and eaten in Uganda, millet is
more widely accepted culturally in Northern, North- East, Eastern and Western
regions. Millet is a highly nutritious cereal </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">containing the highest calcium compared to other cereals as
well as special amino acids namely, tryptophan,
cystine, methionine and total amino acids limited in many other
cereals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of its iron content;
millet porridge is popularly fed to nursing mothers in Uganda. Millet is grown </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">for food, as a source of income and is traditionally </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">processed into a local brew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Millet bread and the local brew are important
ceremonial victuals</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">, making millet a</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
culturally, religious and traditionally valuable crop</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">. </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Its
resilience, drought tolerance, extended shelf life and limited pests makes it a
suitable crop for food security. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Even
with its qualities, millet has received limited promotion with more emphasis on
maize, bananas and cassava. Additionally, introduction of subsidized foods like
rice in the urban centers has further outcompeted millet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bp_PxjG_tc/YAYeA_AIouI/AAAAAAAAAow/YVJ7F4upOIE8qDcMjOioEc4ZgkP4ymNwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/Millet%2Bin%2BEndiiro.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bp_PxjG_tc/YAYeA_AIouI/AAAAAAAAAow/YVJ7F4upOIE8qDcMjOioEc4ZgkP4ymNwwCLcBGAsYHQ/w384-h320/Millet%2Bin%2BEndiiro.jpeg" width="384" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Millet bread served in Endiiro: Western Uganda</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Millet is one of the oldest indigenous crops in Uganda
however, it has received limited devotion to improving its production,
utilization, processing, storage or even marketing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the contrary, growing of bananas, cassava,
sweet potatoes and maize have been promoted through the dedicated national
programs at major research stations at Namulonge and Kawanda as well as international
funding. As a researcher at Kawanda and Namulonge research centers working with
the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), we researched
improved varieties (high yielding, pest and drought resistant), post-harvest
handling and utilization methods for bananas, yam, and cassava. New banana
breeds, cassava, sweet potatoes and maize varieties were developed and
distributed. However, limited research on millet was done and only in Serere, a
smaller, less financially supported center in Eastern Uganda.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
While there is value for variety, food sovereignty cannot be ignored in the
fight against food insecurity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Although,
Uganda prides itself in food diversity and sufficiency, with a wide range of
staple foods, food insecurity in Uganda is an intricate problem resulting from
a dependency on policies developed without concrete research and well
documented data. The necessity of research on and promotion of indigenous crops
and their values cannot be overstated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>More research on crops like millet, sorghum, peas and groundnuts should
be advanced. The research advancements should then be a guide in policy
development and implementation, with a deliberate effort to implement local
research findings. Therefore, researchers, end-users and policy makers should
work together to enforce implementation and influence change. There is a
disconnect between researchers, end-users and policy makers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Working with the African Institute for
Capacity Development (AICAD), one of the useful strategies we employed was a
close collaboration between farmers, researchers, university scholars and
policy makers to endeavour research findings were quickly and easily
transferred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Apart
from policy implementation, the dependency on donor funds has seen Uganda adopt
and implement conditional foreign models that are not consistent with the
cultural, political and social needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This has seen the continued growth of the less local crops like rice and
wheat while neglecting indigenous crops. The success of a model should address
the needs of the local communities and provide tailor made solutions that encourage
suitable adaptation of technology and innovation among the community. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Uganda’s
problem has been compounded by a lack of coordination, lack of appropriate
information (marketing, rainfall, etc.), creativity, innovation (preservation
methods) and digitalisation. Although Uganda is moving towards mobile
technology, government commitment is still desired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is need to improve on the internet
system to enable fast and easy access to reliable information across the value
chain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mobile technology has promoted
coordination, encouraged innovation and broken the barriers of poor
infrastructure. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A
critical analysis of the situation reveals the success of an early lockdown in
Uganda’s effort to control the fast progress of COVID 19 with low numbers of
reported cases in the first spike. However the progression of the lockdown
measures in the midst of political rallies <span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">influenced how the disaster unraveled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The political sentiments and </span>propaganda<span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> sowed </span>doubt;
this coupled with lack of a proper system in place to support the desperate
citizens triggered a negative response with people ignoring the calls for
social distancing and staying home. You cannot lockdown a hungry person. <span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Therefore, in
order to address food security and preparedness, there is a need for
longer-term and short-term strategies. Models derived from authentic research,
depicting real problems, approaches and solutions that are realistic and
involve persons affected.</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">There
is need for a total overhaul on the implementation framework, research and
systematic feedback process. <span style="background: white; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">There is also need to identify sectors, businesses,
individual groups, persons and activities most affected and develop supportive
measures accordingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The government
needs to put in place a system that promotes information accessibility and
innovation through increased use of digital technology. Finally, when it comes
to people’s lives there is need </span><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">to avoid divisive politics and emphasize unity. </span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">COVID
19 has revealed Uganda’s continued struggle with policy implementation, lack of
commitment and coordination among the implementers of the policies. The long
term effects of the pandemic on the social and economic system are yet to be
felt. Uganda, like most African countries was last to experience the attack by
the pandemic, giving ample preparation time for the catastrophe yet when it
eventually hit, Uganda was ill prepared. <span style="background: white; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">This predicament demonstrates the necessity for
disaster preparedness, the importance of a systemic plan for reserve resources
(redundancy) for times of the unexpected. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Reference:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">World Bank Press
Release, 2020. Uganda: World Bank Provides $300 Million to Close COVID 19
Financing Gap and Support Economy Recovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The World Bank Press Release, June 29, 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christine Kajumba Kaahwa</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Food and
Digitalization Expert<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Guest Contributor<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">ECV Ontario<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-25102228247455841062020-12-08T17:36:00.000-08:002020-12-08T17:36:08.576-08:00COVID-19 and its Lingering Impact on US Food Systems<p> *<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">This is part of our series on the nexus between COVID-19 and food systems.</i></span></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Truthfully,
it’s been quite a life-defining and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Incerto-format-poche-fragilit%C3%A9-Antifragile/dp/2251451374/ref=sr_1_14?dchild=1&keywords=incerto&qid=1607224444&sr=8-14">uncertain</a>
year 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has continually posed an unprecedentedly
lingering impact on my eating habits as well as on the U.S. food and
socioeconomic systems. It is pertinent to note that even before the pandemic, the
<a href="https://time.com/5736789/small-american-farmers-debt-crisis-extinction/">small
farms were disappearing</a>, a few banks were being bailed out, small agribusinesses
bankruptcy was rife, and U.S. - Chinese <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-36632-2_8">trade wars</a>.
The food systems are also evolving due to inherent <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/christianweller/2020/06/18/systemic-racism-makes-covid-19-much-more-deadly-for-african-americans/?sh=2e2569fa7feb">systemic
racism</a> and police brutality. The inequality and randomness impact of food
systems was certainly aggravated by the murder of <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/national/george-floyd-america/systemic-racism/">George
Floyd</a> in the heat of COVID-I9 pandemic. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The
pre-pandemic food supplies and increased trade integration contributed to
geographic spread of agri-food supply chains in the U.S. Invariably, all <span style="color: black;">food products including fresh groceries, bread, fruits,
vegetables, poultry, beverages, processed foods, red meats, fish and other
edible consumables </span>were always available at the grocery stores –
Wholefoods, Safeway, Food Lion, Target, Costco, Walmart, Harris Teeter, etc. However,
the first month of the pandemic created acute shortage of food supplies in the
shelves. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The
pandemic crippled food ordering books for large and small groceries stores
throughout the spring and summer, thereby creating supply delays or backlogs.
At the start of the fall, groceries orders began trickling in again, but the
damage is done and making most food supply chain players with revenues
percentages losses compared to 2019 year’s levels. The pandemic shows that the
food systems are neither risk averse nor shock-absorbing to the COVID-19 disruptions.
By implication most of the food items such as groceries, sanitation items and
water were not available in these stores in the beginning of the pandemic. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">As
an economist, my thoughts were how network models and other economics science
tools could identify sources of food systems risks stimulated by the pandemic
and provide workable policies to enhance antifragility, thereby appropriately
preparing for the future of food supply risks in the U.S in particular and the <a href="https://usmca.com/agriculture-usmca/">United States Mexico and Canada</a>
(USMCA) trade space in general. The USMCA trade deal was robustly designed to
achieve colossal success, especially from a food systems viewpoint. In the
first three to five months of the pandemic, I was always at <a href="https://www.costco.com/grocery-household.html">Costco Wholesale</a> to
purchase <a href="https://www.yummydinobuddies.com/products">yummy dino buddies</a>
for the kids, and there were none. For many weeks running in summer until fall,
there was shortage of yummy dino buddies. When the yummy dino buddies supplies
finally arrived at Costco from Canada, a very strict rationing policy was
implemented so that one could only purchase one packet per family and until now
when you can purchase three packets per Costco card holders, bearing in mind
that the pandemic made most workers stay home without income and the U.S. government also closed its borders to all its neighbors in order to stem the
spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the absence of yummy dino buddies, it was
really challenging for the kids to adapt to other food items such as tinned
green peas and peanut butter. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Though
the 2007/8 global ‘black swan’ was a <a href="https://media.africaportal.org/documents/SAIIA_Policy_Briefing_no_21.pdf">trio
food, fuel and financial crises</a>, the fragility within the systems has not been
reduced but instead it has been multiplied with people incurring higher debts
with food, fuel and the financial crisis. In 2008, I was a regional agri-food
policy analyst at the <a href="https://faraafrica.org/">Forum for Agricultural
Research in Africa</a> (FARA) and the <a href="https://media.africaportal.org/documents/SAIIA_Policy_Briefing_no_21.pdf">2007/8
global food crisis</a> was really critical. Today, the unsustainable solution
to the global 3F crisis has aggravated the current impact of this pandemic such
that the U.S food system is much more fragile than it was twelve years ago. By
implication, the food and socio-economic systems have become less robust and
shakier due to the pandemic. However, a few agri-food sub-sectors are better
off but the whole food systems is not. For instance, the food e-commerce was
better off, and as a prime member of Amazon, I embarked on online purchases for
groceries from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/fmc/m/20190079/ref=sn_gfs_co_wholefoods-logo-subnav_AWFoA_1?_encoding=UTF8&almBrandId=VUZHIFdob2xlIEZvb2Rz&pf_rd_p=fe2c4063-1e1b-4383-8f5c-15f6cf8fd30d&pf_rd_r=DKCBDTKZZT0M3QDT6MK7&pf_rd_s=wfm-subnav-desktop-content-logo&pf_rd_t=SubnavFlyout">Whole
Foods</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">My
family totally missed our community farmers’ market which provided us with
fresh and organic foods. In 2019, we were looking forward to the Fall 2020
Farmers’ Market season at <a href="https://archwoodgreenbarns.com/">Archwood Green
Barns</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/warrentonfarmersmarkets/">Warrenton</a>,
and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rappcofarmersmarket/">Rappahannock
Farmers Markets</a>. Invariably, we also missed the family get together space
for music and relaxation at the <a href="https://www.warrentonva.gov/community/farmers_market.php?fbclid=IwAR1CNxxQRnXmTTg9QbqG85OdbpKgemSzn_oOPRn7YXOV2zw5FjAEkfJ2ePY">Warrenton
Farmers’ Market</a> (Please see our picture at the music section of the
Warrenton Farmers’ Market).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lRSPHOH8urI/X9Ad0gmu3FI/AAAAAAAAAoM/co-gRpxqdjEWCPSzgwPzfTCnMNoNIAB4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/Family%2Brelaxation%2Bspot%2Bat%2BWarrenton%2BFarmer%2527s%2BMarket%2Bbefore%2BCOVID-19.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lRSPHOH8urI/X9Ad0gmu3FI/AAAAAAAAAoM/co-gRpxqdjEWCPSzgwPzfTCnMNoNIAB4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Family%2Brelaxation%2Bspot%2Bat%2BWarrenton%2BFarmer%2527s%2BMarket%2Bbefore%2BCOVID-19.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Family relaxation spot at Warrenton Farmer's Market before COVID-19</div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The
<a href="https://www.positivelifechange.org/">Liberty Community Church</a>, its
leadership and members provided the ecosystem to reflect on our spiritual and
nutritional growth in the sense that its pantry section provides food items for
community members. Thereafter, there are hot cups of coffee and tea with church
members every Sunday morning as well as the mid-week services.<o:p></o:p></span></p><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"></i></span></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Given
that children have been home without going to schools for about seven months
and now are resuming virtual learning since Fall 2020, this has implications
for household food and snacks consumption, expenditure, budgeting, and health
outcomes. The increased consumption of snacks and continuous compliance with washing
hands incessantly makes one intensely aware of how we forget to follow these
precautions before eating snacks most times. In spite of the <a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/usda-foods/usda-dod-fresh-fruit-and-vegetable-program#:~:text=The%20United%20States%20Department%20of%20Agriculture%20%28USDA%29%20Department,Logistics%20Agency%20%28DLA%29%20at%20the%20Department%20of%20Defense.">U.S.
Department of Agriculture</a>, <a href="https://www.fauquiercounty.gov/government/departments-h-z/health-department">Virginia
State Health and Human Services</a> and <a href="https://www.fcps1.org/">Fauquier
country public schools</a> collaborative efforts to promote fresh fruits and
vegetables consumption among kids through the <a href="https://fauquierfresh.org/">Fauquier Reaches for Excellence in School
Health (FRESH)</a>, unhealthy snacking behavior
is incongruent with the <a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/">Dietary
Guidelines for Americans DGAs 2020 – 2025 Agenda</a>. Further, it is relevant
to note the crucial role of the <a href="https://fauquierfoodbank.org/">Fauquier
Community Food Bank and Thrift Store</a> in reducing the fragility of our
community food systems during the pandemic.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">At this juncture, food
banking plays a great role in enhancing the capacities of food systems, as well
as strengthening institutions towards eliminating hunger, food insecurity and
malnutrition for the vulnerable population, especially in the emergency
situations like this COVID-19 pandemic. According to </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.feedingamerica.org/">Feeding America,</a> a slow economic recovery and food supply chain challenges
will exist throughout the year 2020. Most food banks that have been
providing feeding and other nutrition needs experienced about 120 per cent
increase in need, with a 45 per cent increase in new clients.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The
COVID-19 pandemic and its inherent implications on fragile communities have
rattled food systems experts to the point that they are looking beyond
traditional solutions towards embracing innovative processes, approaches ideas,
knowledge, and technologies. In response to these challenges, and in an attempt
to reduce the randomness and disorders of the food and nutrition security
policy space in the U.S., the <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/no-hunger-food-bank-and-systems-4185501b8/">No
Hunger Food Bank and Systems Corporation</a> (NHFBS) was established during the
Summer 2020. NHFBS aims to deploy the most innovative technologies to enhance
nutritional security among minority populations towards realizing the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) Agenda in the U.S. In addition, a similar
initiative, known as the <a href="https://nohungerfoodbank.org/">No Hunger Food
Bank Initiative (NHFBI)</a> was formalized with the goal of eliminating hunger
and realizing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) II for
Africa. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Regardless
of how the U.S. food systems have evolved during this pandemic, the ‘black
swan’ outbreak has given all food systems stakeholders a reason to reevaluate
how to make farmers’ markets and food supplies chains more innovative. In
addition, this will make agri-food actors more prepared by identifying better
ways to accomplish community shared food supply chain strategies which are well
enabled with the systems not only in the US, but also all over the world. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Digital,
medical (vaccines) and scientific approaches as well as social distancing and
stay-at-home restrictions are being deployed to flatten the COVID-19 curve and decrease
the rate of new cases. In spite of the containment policies being enforced by
the U.S government to crush the virus, the number of infections has risen
dramatically since the first week of March. In fact, the U.S has more confirmed
cases and deaths than any other country worldwide. By implication, the food
system is under great pressure towards making agri-food value chain actors
evolve to become more antifragile. In response to the
disruption wrecked on the U.S. food systems largely due to the unprecedented
impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the socioeconomic, the U.S. Government
implemented the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The
Act is the first national emergency program to reduce the adverse impacts of
COVID-19 on Americans, including farmers, ranchers and the food systems. Although
not entirely novel, and as a preparedness strategy for the future, it is
crucial to reinvent the food systems policies and approaches towards making
them more antifragile through increased consumer-centered and community driven
food systems and by data driven insights. According
to <a href="https://nassimtaleb.org/2020/12/danish-study-face-masks/">Nassim
Nicholas Taleb</a>, the U.S and global
approach should not be to eliminate the virus but rather to de-multiply the
spread of the pandemic. Optimistically, there has been encouraging news on
vaccines discoveries and distribution, thereby shaping 2021 as a likely better
year even if the food shortage and safety precautions that have been in place
since March linger throughout the first half of the next year.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Gbadebo Odularu, PhD<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Bay Atlantic University & Socio-Economic Research
Applications and Projects (SERAP), Washington D.C<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="mailto:godularu@bau.edu">godularu@bau.edu</a>;
<a href="mailto:Gbadebo@serapllc.com">Gbadebo@serapllc.com</a></span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-55920153131326125032020-07-29T14:15:00.001-07:002020-07-29T14:22:19.255-07:00COVID-19 and Food Systems: Ghana’s Perspective<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">* This is part of our series on the nexus between COVID-19 and food systems.</i></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"><br /></i></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ghana in Brief <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Republic of Ghana is a country along the Gulf of Guinea
and the Atlantic Ocean, in the sub region of West Africa. Estimates put its population
at 30 million with the capital city being Accra. Rural and urban settlements
represent 68% and 32% respectively while about 52% of the labour force is
engaged in Agriculture with 29% in services and 19% in industry. Agriculture
contributes to 54% of Ghana’s GDP, and accounts for over 40% of export
earnings, while at the same time providing over 90% of the food needs of the
country (Ghana FactSheet). The nature of Ghana's agriculture is predominantly
smallholder, traditional and rain-fed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FaQVtpPh_9g/XyHl91m7wHI/AAAAAAAAAm0/7QWXLSG2l04BRYAS5qGk6v-dtE7eflO2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Vegetable%2Bmarket%2Bat%2BMakola%252C%2BAccra.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FaQVtpPh_9g/XyHl91m7wHI/AAAAAAAAAm0/7QWXLSG2l04BRYAS5qGk6v-dtE7eflO2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Vegetable%2Bmarket%2Bat%2BMakola%252C%2BAccra.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegetable market at Makola, Accra</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Covid-19 outbreak and
protective measures in Ghana<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the
novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is an easily transmissible disease that was
identified<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>December 2019 in Wuhan, China
and declared a pandemic by WHO on 11 March 2020. Ghana’s Ministry of Health
confirmed the first two cases of the novel coronavirus on March 13, 2020. Both
people tested positive for the disease after their return from a trip abroad.
To prevent its spread of the virus, the Ministry of Health of Ghana advised
people to follow the global preventive protocols by observing good personal
hygiene, avoid shaking hands, and practice social distancing. Since then, the
government has put in place several measures to further curtail the spread,
including closure of all entry ports and borders, quarantining and testing of
exposed persons, testing of symptomatic individuals, contact tracing, travel,
and social restrictions. In his first address to the nation on the pandemic, the
President, Nana Akufo-Addo announced the closure of all schools in Ghana, from
the basic level to the tertiary level, suspension of all religious activities
and funeral celebrations beginning 16 March 2020, among other measures. In
furtherance to the above measures, a partial three weeks lockdown was placed on
two largest cities in Ghana, Accra and Kumasi on March 27. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">All these restrictions imposed a great deal of
hardships and inconveniences on every citizen both young and old across the
length and breadth of the country. Estimates indicate that the government spent
about Ghc54.3 million (approx. $9.5 million) on cooked food during the 21 days
lockdown period which was given to some 470,000 vulnerable individuals and
families in the lockdown areas. However, t</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">errified
by a potential risk of food shortage during the pandemic, Ghana instituted measures
to keep the food system safely running as an essential sector, markets were well
supplied with affordable and nutritious food and consumers still were able to
access and purchase food despite movement restrictions. It is interesting to
note that the market participants were mainly the poor and the vulnerable as
their survival depends on what they do each day in the markets hence was not
much concerned about the consequences of the disease while the rich stayed home
and observe the strict protocols and depended much on their stored food stuffs.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yijnjAAhWbg/XyHmn2CkohI/AAAAAAAAAm8/L6CISRZJqBM6NcpXs8HRrxpVnc_M8yuGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Cooked%2Bfood%2Bdistribution%2Bprocess%2Bduring%2Blockdown%2Bin%2BAccra.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yijnjAAhWbg/XyHmn2CkohI/AAAAAAAAAm8/L6CISRZJqBM6NcpXs8HRrxpVnc_M8yuGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Cooked%2Bfood%2Bdistribution%2Bprocess%2Bduring%2Blockdown%2Bin%2BAccra.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooked food distribution process during lockdown in Accra</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Food situation before COVID-19<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Before COVID-19 outbreak in Ghana,
Ghana’s food system and distribution was quite good with an abundance of food due
to the government programme of Planting for Food and Jobs which was introduced
in 2017 to address the declining fortunes of agriculture in the country. The
first model of the programme is to ensure food security crops, such as maize,
rice, sorghum, soybean and vegetables. This has since been expanded to include
groundnut, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, lettuce, cassava, cowpea, plantain, sweet
potato and orange. Some of the successes of the programme after two years
include 24% increase in rice production, 72% increase in maize production, 39%
in soya bean and 100% increase in sorghum. Consequently, Ghana had started
exporting maize to some of our neighbouring countries including Burkina Faso,
Ivory Coast, and Togo. Also, Ghana’s production of yam, cowpea, cassava and
plantain have significantly gone up, so much that exportation to other
countries in the sub-region is ongoing now. This therefore presents a stable
food system in the country prior to the pandemic. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 115%;">Ghana’s food system and policy interventions
have created opportunities for smallholder farmers to be more productive and
relevant to livelihoods. These smallholder farmers are responsible for the
provision of an abundance of quality foods to meet the growing needs the urban
population. Additionally, open air markets are essential in Ghana since it is
the distributional route for food as good marketing system stimulates sales of the
produce to potential buyers for consumption. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Lockdown effect on
food system after the Covid-19 outbreak<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The immediate effects of the outbreak of the
disease and the corresponding containment measures announced pertaining to the
restrictions affected people who rely on casual labour to achieve their daily bread.
Furthermore, there was panic buying of food within the few days preceding the
targeted lockdown which resulted in higher food prices thereby reducing the purchasing
power of lower socioeconomic status of individuals and families. In view of
this, evidence suggests that some poor households could not stock up on food
and therefore resorted to coping strategies such as reducing the quantity of
meals or reducing the frequency of mealtimes which has implications on their
health status.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Another issue concerns the nutritional contents
of the food consumed in the period. The problem is the increased consumption of
highly processed foods, increased overall food intake leading to over nutrition,
particularly in children with a reduction in physical activities as the overall
lifestyle has become sedentary. More specifically, families of high
socioeconomic status, in preparation for the lockdown and other restrictive protocols
as well as the uncertainty surrounding when normalcy shall be restored, stocked
up on food stuffs and processed foods. Therefore, the chances are that they
stocked up more on the later which are more convenient and less perishable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
food system in the era of new normal<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It is becoming increasingly clear that the
pandemic is not setting us free any time soon as the case count keeps rising each
day thereby creating a new era of adjustment in all spheres of life. In view of
this, Ghana needs to consider and address four important issues in the food system.
The first has to do with consumer protection as demand for products with bioactive
food ingredients and adoption of healthier diet to boost immune systems increase.
Secondly, attention should be focused on food safety in order to prevent the spread
of the virus from one point to another, thus from producers through retailers
to consumers. The third issue is that as the pandemic lingers on, there are disruptions
in the food supply chain which are affecting food production, and loss of
income thereby creating tension and food security risks in the country. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lastly, the sustainability of the food systems in this
pandemic era is another matter of concern to be addressed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Another major area of concern which requires urgent
attention is the l</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">abour and agro-input shortages due mainly to
movement restrictions, social distancing rules which have started to affect producers,
processors, traders and trucking or logistics companies in food supply chains, particularly
for food products that require workers to be in close proximity and seasonal
workers who migrate from neighbouring countries to work on farms in Ghana. At
the same time, loss of income and remittances from families abroad is reducing
people’s ability to buy food and compensate farmers for their production. Food
producers also face large losses on perishable and nutritious food as buyers
have become limited and traders stop engaging with farmers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Conclusion<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
coronavirus disease outbreak has exposed some weaknesses in Ghana’s food system<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>yet it also presents an opportunity to reconsider
the production, distribution and consumption strategies so as to build a
healthier and more sustainable food system in the country. In furtherance to
this, the food system requires a holistic transformation from production to
consumption. Therefore, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #141414; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">policy-makers should decentralize
and democratize the process by inviting all players in the food systems,. In
this sense, as the central government provides the necessary impetus and scheme
for the transformation, local and subnational actors should be able to identify
and outline their own food systems to depict their interests, values, resources
and goals. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Authorities and research
communities should quickly identify the most critical threats to the food
system during this pandemic in order to implement mitigation measures. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">References<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by
the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at John Hopkins
University. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Successes of planting for food and jobs
highlighted at the 9<sup>th</sup> Pre-harvest Agribusiness Exhibitions and
Conferences. Agrihouse Foundation. Nov 10, 2019. <u><span style="color: #0070c0;">http://</span></u></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.agrihousefoundation.com/"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">www.agrihousefoundation.com</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">COVID-19 Ghana’s Outbreak Response
Management Updates. Situation Update Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Ghana as of
Thursday Apr 09 2020 12:27:04 Available online: <a href="http://ghanahealthservice.org/covid19/">http://ghanahealthservice.org/covid19/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">COVID-19 and the risk to food supply chains: How
to respond? Policy Support and Governance. Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations. Available online: </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0875b8; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.fao.org/policy-support/resources/resources-details/en/c/1269383/
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">COVID-19: Ghana records two
case. Daily Graphic on 12 March 2020. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.graphic.com.gh/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.graphic.com.gh</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ghana FactSheet – Ghana Statistical Services. Available
online: https://www.statsghana.gov.gh<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">WHO Director-General’s Opening Remarks at the
Media Briefing on COVID-19—11 March 2020. Available online: </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0875b8; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-mediabriefing-on-covid-19---11-march-2020</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Abel Fumey, PhD<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Department of Economics<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">University of Ghana<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Legon, Accra, Ghana<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-66641188400038005782020-07-24T09:46:00.004-07:002020-07-25T08:03:52.921-07:00COVID-19, Social Distancing, and Food Prices in Nigeria<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;">* This is part of our series on the nexus between COVID-19 and food systems.</i></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">The
most recently discovered infectious disease COVID-19 is purported to have began
in Wuhan, China, around November-December 2019 though traces of the virus have
been found in Barcelona, Spain as early as March 2019 (June 29, 2020, <i>Global
News</i>). The novel virus has spread across many countries and is now a
pandemic, affecting many global economies. Since the disease can spread from
person to person through small droplets from nose or mouth, tiny aerosols in
the air or through contact with surfaces, it necessitated keeping distance of
at least one meter, but usually two between people. The World Health
Organization and other epidemiologists have raised people’s awareness of the
need for social distancing, which became crucial to curb the spread of the
virus. When Edward Hall a cultural anthropologist, in 1963 conceived the
word <em><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">proxemics</span></em> to
describe research regarding social distancing in daily living, it was generally
unimaginable that a virus, which was 100 times much smaller than even a
bacteria, could cause a dire concern regarding proximity in humans, though knowledgeable
people remembered the devastating effects of the 1918 H1N1 pandemic flu which
killed upwards of 500 million people (CDC &P, Mar. 20, 2020) . <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V_-53zS88EQ/XxsQBJD58jI/AAAAAAAAAmc/HUV3OsfbpHM15WsS9EeY4iAf025sZdx5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Iyana-Iyesi%2B%2BMarket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1423" data-original-width="1600" height="284" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V_-53zS88EQ/XxsQBJD58jI/AAAAAAAAAmc/HUV3OsfbpHM15WsS9EeY4iAf025sZdx5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Iyana-Iyesi%2B%2BMarket.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iyana-Iyesi Market, Ota, Ogun State </td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">The
Nigerian Food Market and the Lockdown Waves<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">Globally,
there have been concerns, anxiety, desperate measures because of the pandemic.
Issues ranging from hygiene, isolation, and social distancing has been topical
in these times. Nigeria is known as the most densely populated black nation
globally, with over 200 million people. For Nigeria, the story has been no
different; the country has been through waves of lockdowns and movement
restrictions over the past months to alleviate the spread of the virus.
However, stopping peoples' gathering has been impracticable for the country, as
much as the government attempted severally to achieve with the imposition of
movement restrictions. For instance, the food markets have not been closed all
through the pandemic. The best that was attained was the reduction in the
number of days the markets opened at the inception of the first two weeks
lockdown, which started March 30, 2020. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">An
unmindful Shopping Attitude of Nigerians<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">The
average Nigerian has a very queer shopping attitude, believing that they must
physically be in the market to shop. The structures of the market fit a chaotic
description, especially for the major ones. The typical Nigerian market is a
picture of congestion and chaos. In this situation, a customer may negotiate
with about five sellers before eventually buying an item, and physically
touching then wares at will. Also, shoppers do not have access to mobile money
or online transfers; hence they shop with cash, are delayed further in the
market, collecting their balance from a transaction. Social or physical
distancing is impossible in this sort of setting, especially where the people
do not have a good understanding of how the disease spreads. However, a small
proportion of shoppers do not physically appear in the market; rather they
place their orders via social media platforms like the WhatsApp group forum.
This has been in existence before the pandemic and further entrenched during
the period of the outbreak, particularly for those who are quite aware of the
essence of social distancing, and have sufficient money to pay for the
suppliers’ commission and delivery charges. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JPqJDDTagdc/XxxJsoY3TyI/AAAAAAAAAmo/iOBLaj2Tigc2OWSa5Ycf-sg7fUsphVYwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Bodija%2BMarket%2BIbadan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="744" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JPqJDDTagdc/XxxJsoY3TyI/AAAAAAAAAmo/iOBLaj2Tigc2OWSa5Ycf-sg7fUsphVYwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Bodija%2BMarket%2BIbadan.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bodija Market Ibadan</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">Food
Supply Shortage and Price Hikes<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">The
lockdowns and the gradual easing of the movement restriction aimed at reducing
the spread of the disease, has resulted in dire economic effects globally, and
Nigeria has not been left out of this global recession. This period led to a
reduction in access to credit, farm inputs, transport services to transport
food, and the closure of the borders which also resulted in the shortage of
food importation. The situation, as mentioned earlier, resulted in a limited
supply of food, which also caused a rise in food prices. The consumer price
index for food has been on the increase all through the pandemic period. From
14.9 percent in February 2020 to 15.18 percent in June 2020, showing an
increase of about 0.28 percent within only four months, and a forecasted increase
to 17 percent which is expected by September 2020<sup>1 </sup>(Trading
Economics, 2020).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">These
increases have been relative. They have cut across all kinds of food items,
ranging from potatoes, yams, other tubers, bread, fruits, vegetables, cereals,
legumes, and even food convenience products. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the food price rise varies relatively across
the country. The worst-hit by food inflation has been in Sokoto, Plateau,
Gombe, Edo, and Kano states, with rates 17.12 percent, 16.99 percent, 16.96
percent, 16.71 percent, and 16.45 percent (year-on-year) respectively. At the
same time, the states with the least food price rise were Bayelsa, Katsina, Bauchi,
Nasarawa, and Ondo states with rates 11.89 percent, 13.04 percent, 13.04
percent, 13.5 percent, and 13.53 percent respectively (Nairametrics, 2020). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">Consequently,
after the lockdown, the price of food items has consistently been on the
increase. For instance, a paint bucket of Cassava flakes (Gaari) used to sell
for </span><span lang="EN-US">₦</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">400 but now trades at </span><span lang="EN-US">₦</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">800, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a 100 percent price increase. A big bag of
pepper which formerly sold for </span><span lang="EN-US">₦</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">7,000,
now sells for </span><span lang="EN-US">₦</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">15,000,
indicating a price increase of 114.3 percent. In the same vein, other
commodities as well show price hikes. Products like onions, sweet potatoes,
tomatoes, fish, rice, palm oil, and beans recording percentage increases of
30.77 percent, 150 percent, 127.3 percent, 9.52 percent, 5.84 percent, 22.73
percent, and 15.75 percent respectively<sup> </sup>(Nairametrics, 2020).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">The
Resolve of Nigerians to Survive the Pandemic<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">Meanwhile
income and means of livelihood have been on the decline since the pandemic’s inception.
Employers of labour including banks have laid off staff and introduced salary
cuts. Entrepreneurs and business owners have experienced a slow business trend
and hence lower income. How then could people be able to cope in this
precarious circumstance? How are ends supposed to meet, when even the basic
needs of life like food, cannot be provided? How could the populace manage to
access the vaccines when they are available? The palliatives provided by the
government at the inception of the lockdown in March 2020 have been long
exhausted. The private sector interventions by well-meaning Nigerians and the private
sector intercessions like CA-COVID are also depleted. Yet, the people are
resilient and determined to survive. A dire need for an economic transformation
is desired for Nigeria. What will become of the inequality gap for Nigeria?
Will it increase? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">References<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">Centres
for Disease Control and Prevention, Mar. 20, 2019. ‘1918 Pandemic (H1N1 Virus).
</span></span><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/1918-pandemic-h1n1.html#:~:text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%20about,occurring%20in%20the%20United%20States."><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/1918-pandemic h1n1.html#:~:text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%20about,occurring%20in%20the%20United%20States.</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">‘Coronavirus
traces found in Spanish sewge sample from Mar. 2019’ June 29, 2020. <i>Global
News. </i></span></span><a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/7119856/coronavirus-sewage-barcelona-march-2019/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">https://globalnews.ca/news/7119856/coronavirus-sewage-barcelona-march-2019/</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Trading
Economics 2020. Nigerian Food Inflation Forecast. https://tradingeconomics.com<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"></span><a href="https://tradingeconomics.com/nigeria/food-inflation"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">/nigeria/food-inflation</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nairametrics
2020.
nairametrics.com/2020/03/17/nigeria-inflation-rate-hits-12-2-as-food-index-rises/<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;">Nairametrics 2020. </span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">Prices of food items jump
across Lagos markets, as traders lament transport fare hike. </span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"></span><a href="https://nairametrics.com/2020/06/03/prices-of-food-items-jump-across-lagos-markets-as-traders-lament-transport-hike/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;">https://nairametrics.com/2020/06/03/prices-of-food-items-jump-across-lagos-markets-as-traders-lament-transport-hike/</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">Folasade
Adegboye, PhD<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">Guest
Contributor<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">Department
of Banking and Finance<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">Covenant
University. Ota<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk46495600;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif;">Nigeria<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<br />ECVOntariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713661084594177818noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3539011491634125889.post-71416564871125299012020-06-20T05:21:00.000-07:002020-06-20T05:21:01.649-07:00Food Availability during COVID-19 Pandemic in Qatar<br />
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<i>* This is part of our series on the nexus between COVID-19 and food systems.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">State of Qatar, one of the Gulf Cooperation Countries’ (GCC) biggest
economies and less populous countries, is being hit hard by the impact of the
COVID - 19 pandemic. A sharp fall in international oil prices, has seriously
affected Qatar like other major players in the oil and gas industry. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pandemic outbreak has led to fragility in
food security. There is little doubt that there is an impending issue of food
insecurity, not only in Qatar, but also in many other nations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The threat to the availability of food and balanced nutrition arises
because of the pandemic’s disruptions except insofar as proactive measures are
taken to protect people’s food security. This has been echoed repeatedly by the
United Nation (UN), Food, Organization and Agriculture (FAO) and the World Bank.
However, this situation is being taken care successfully in Qatar based on their
policy and quick reaction to ease the burden of disrupted access to relatively
cheap food. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The various factors that are
playing important roles to attain this feat are explained below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QPG5kVjphRs/Xu39v4uaOfI/AAAAAAAAAl0/t_H3BwihxKwieK6Tz_ev1G-jJsdB2lxDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/COVID%2B1.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="738" height="219" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QPG5kVjphRs/Xu39v4uaOfI/AAAAAAAAAl0/t_H3BwihxKwieK6Tz_ev1G-jJsdB2lxDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/COVID%2B1.tif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh Produce Market in Doha, Qatar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Qatar Food Reserve/ Adequate Food Stock Policies<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Prior to the pandemic Qatar was a proactive country that has a
robust food policy to ensure that food is always available. The State's
strategic reserve of food items is sufficient to sustain people for more than a
year, which invariably makes the country less vulnerable to irregular food
availability. Qatar have adequate emergency food reserves, or strategic stocks,
that are well maintained. These reserves are held at the national level. The
pandemic could not really have an adverse effect on food availability because
the established emergency reserves are enough to sustain the country for more
than a year. This assertion is corroborated by a statement made by the HE the
Minister of Commerce and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari that food
availability can last for years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Food Importation<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Like every other GCC countries, a larger percentage of food and
other edible items are imported because they are situated in desert where soils
are relatively unproductive for agriculture. The country's import policies
remain unchanged and are being maintained without any alteration whatsoever.
This invariably allows most of Qatar’s relevant players in the food chain function
effectively, which consequently makes food available at the various outlets to
meet the demand of customers. Despite local production, the importation of food
items does not infringe at all on food imports both through the air and through
sea. The processing of food consignments at various ports is accelerated so
that food gets to the wholesale markets earlier enough and subsequently to the
retailer and final consumers respectively. Finally, the existing financing
instruments such as bank loans are relaxed and made more flexible because of
this pandemic crises. The financial institutions ensure the provision of import
financing so that food importers are assisted at this crucial time in order to
address or handle any potential food price volatility. These measures have made
the availability of food stable through this trying period.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Food Price Stability<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Qatar’s relevant institutions are playing vital roles to ensure
that food prices are stable so that everyone can have stable purchasing power
to buy food, which makes food available to Qatar’s consumers. Those measures include
the encouragement of heavy investments in the local agricultural production and
productivity, which makes food abundant in various food selling outlets at
stable and reasonable prices. Also, the policies on ground encourage the
farmers and private sector to intensify more food production. In addition,
there is tremendous transparency and timely dissemination of information
relevant to policies related to food security.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yOB0vGHFN5Q/Xu3-Od64Z5I/AAAAAAAAAl8/7cTKjEKuykMHLQCTUgipzlqZ7hrL-fusgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/COVID%2B4.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="604" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yOB0vGHFN5Q/Xu3-Od64Z5I/AAAAAAAAAl8/7cTKjEKuykMHLQCTUgipzlqZ7hrL-fusgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/COVID%2B4.tif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new Central Market, Al Sailiya, Qatar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Provision of palliative initiatives<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Qatar government, institutions and charity organization took drastic
measures in response to COVID 19 to put in place initiatives targeted at taking
adequate care of residents and expatriate professionals as well as workers in
Qatar. Enough food was made available through a well-designed and coordinated
mechanism involving the various embassies and mission houses in the country responsible
for various nationalities. People who cannot afford food visit their embassies
to collect food that can last them for weeks. The system has been orderly and
functional. As a Nigerian, I collected my palliative food at the Nigerian
Embassy at the arranged time. Apart from the government, charity organization
and individual continue to distribute food to the people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In conclusion, considering the aforementioned facts, the
availability of food at affordable price during this trying period is
maintained based on the several measures the Qatar Government put in place
before the crisis and these measures continue to be sustained. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mr. Suraj .A. Bello </span><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 7.0pt;">B. Agric., MSc.
MBA, ITPM (UK), PhD (In view)</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 6.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Guest Contributor<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">College of Arts and Sciences<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Department of Biological &
Environmental Sciences <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Qatar University, Qatar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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