Food Systems Transformations

In 2021, SARA unpacked the complexities around food systems transformation through three linked virtual workshops, attended by diverse stakeholders from across the region. A main with a focus of the workshops was on addressing barriers and unlocking important actions to transform food systems in southern Africa.

Explore the key themes and recommendations that emerged from the workshops in the two Insights Reports below.

September 11, 2022

Insights for food systems transformation from southern Africa: Outcomes of the Southern African Resilience Academy

This insights brief presents key themes and recommendations that emerged from the SARA activities and discussions that were convened over the course of 2021 in order to explore ways of addressing barriers and unlocking key actions to transform food systems in southern Africa.

September 11, 2022

Insights for food systems transformation from southern Africa: Overview of southern African context

Transformation is needed to move southern Africa’s current food system into a space that is responsive to future uncertainties, climate-resilient, as well as environmentally and socially sustainable. Research plays an integral role in this shift. This report contextualises the actions of the Southern African Resilience Academy (SARA) in 2021, a year covering many pivotal events towards food systems transformation.

Additional documents

Concept note: UNFSS Independent Dialogue

Concept note describing the background and agenda for the independent regional dialogue convened as part of the official run-up to the UN Food Systems Summit. The dialogue focused on the theme of “Managing the water and energy we eat: advancing water-energy-food (WEF) nexus approaches to achieve food systems transformation in southern Africa”.

Feedback report: UNFSS Independent Dialogue

Official feedback report submitted to the UN Food Systems Summit after the independent regional dialogue.

Workshop write-up: Futures of Food in southern Africa

Write-up of the futuring workshop, outlining tools used and participants’ ideas for more positive food futures in the southern African region. This is a working document, so the write-up is only available as a draft report.