Platform for African – European Partnership in Agricultural Research for Development

Friday, August 13, 2021

REPORT: the role of SMEs in providing Good Food for All

Wasafiriri (2021) A Small Business Agenda for the UN Food Systems Summit United Nations Food Systems Summit © 2021, 35 p.

Wasafiri hosted 11 regional and 2 global dialogues, which engaged over 1,200 participants in total. In parallel, we carried out a survey reaching 2,673 SMEs from 137 countries, asking, “How can we boost the role of SMEs in providing Good Food for All?” 

The dialogue outcomes and survey responses were central to the development of a final report, which was presented at the UN Food Systems Pre-Summit to raise awareness of the pathways to effectively supporting SMEs in their role as good food providers.

This UN Food Systems Pre-Summit session highlighted key learnings from the final report, supported by insights from SMEs and food systems leaders. The closure of the event was marked by the public launch of the SME Pledge. The session, report and SME Pledge received global media coverage.
Related:
27 July 2021. Rome. Pre-Summit of the UN Food Systems Summit. The Pre-Summit of the UN Food Systems Summit set the stage for the culminating global event in September. During the second day a panel discussed above mentioned report.

SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES PRIORITIES
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the quiet revolutionaries transforming our food systems. Their inspiring stories and needs for support must influence the Summit’s action planning. This session presented “A Small Business Agenda for the UN Food Systems Summit”, a report on behalf of food SMEs from around the world. 

The report synthesizes findings from 12 SME dialogues, a global survey of thousands of SMEs, and dozens of expert interviews. It presents their positive contributions, the constraints they face in expanding their impact, and offers recommended pathways to boost the contribution of SMEs in forging the future of food. Panel speakers included SMEs and food system leaders reflecting on the report’s findings and recommended actions.
  • Moderator Ms. Cherrie Atilano, Founding Farmer, CEO and President of AGREA Agricultural Systems International, Inc
  • Moderator Ms. Bonolo Monthe, Managing Director, Maungo Craft
  • Keynote Remarks – Mr. José Andres, Chef and Founder, World Central Kitchen
  • Framing Remarks – The Latest Evidence Mr. Ian Randall, Director, Wasafiri
  • Moderated Panel Discussions with Other Constituencies about the Framing 
Part 1 - Food SMEs to share how their lived experience as entrepreneurs correspond to the report’s findings.
Part 2 - Food system leaders to reflect on the importance of including SMEs in the design and governance of the coalitions for action that they are leading.
  • Mr. Jian Yi – Founder of China Action Hub. Champion of SMEs and a shift to sustainable consumption, Independent film maker
  • Ms. Erin Fitzgerald, CEO, US Farmers and Ranchers in Action
  • Ms. Vanessa Adams, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, AGRA
  • Dr. Manuel Otero, Director General of Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture


Related: 
Fifty small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) around the world have been announced as the Best Small Businesses of the “Good Food for All” competition, held in conjunction with the UN Food Systems Summit.

Selected from nearly 2,000 applications from 135 countries, the 50 winners all showcase inspiring, diverse, and impactful solutions in improving access to healthy, sustainable food.

Each winner will be celebrated as a “Best Small Business: Good Food for All” and share US$100,000 in cash prizes. At the UNFSS event to announce the winners, a short video will be shared to showcase their stories and highlight SMEs’ vital work in sustainably nourishing families all around the world.

Each winner was selected for how their business contributes to healthier, more sustainable and equitable food for the communities they serve; the strength of their vision for the future; and how well they communicate the current and future impact of their business.

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