“The context may be different but the lack of regard for peasants, women, and Indigenous People is the root of our shared struggles.” — Joan Brady, Canadian peasant-farmer

“Even when the government didn’t help [after Hurricane Maria], we really put agroecology to the test. We produced abundance. We harvested and gave to families in need even when boats couldn’t come in.” — José of Organización Boricua, a food sovereignty movement in Puerto Rico

Dear Friend,

The past month we’ve been celebrating the 25th anniversary of food sovereignty. Today we conclude our Sustaining the Struggle campaign with reflection… and one last request.

For 25 years peasant and Indigenous movements have been leading a global struggle to defend their land and territory. From Brazil to West Africa, from Canada to Palestine, they have been building alternative economies to feed their communities. And these movements need resources — which Grassroots International supporters like you provide.

When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, movements for food sovereignty were there. Organización Boricua not only supported small farmers in recovering from the devastation, but provided food for families on the archipelago. Thanks in part to the $10,000 in emergency funding we provided, through donations from supporters like you, these farmers could rebuild their farms and their local food systems from the bottom up.

This is just one example of the movement building at the heart of food sovereignty, initiated by the global peasant network La Via Campesina 25 years ago. As Joan Brady, a peasant-farmer from Canada said in a recent webinar, “Development of organizations at the grassroots level are critical for social transformation.” That’s why Grassroots International has been proud to partner with La Via Campesina since 2003, to build the global movement for food sovereignty in every locale.

Can you support this movement building with a donation to our Sustaining the Struggle campaign in its final days?

In Joan Brady’s words, “La Via Campesina will continue to champion food sovereignty as a framework for change necessary to ensure a healthy, sustainable and equitable food system.” With your support in these last couple days, even just $10 or $25, La Via Campesina and all its members in local communities can keep up the fight for years to come.

In solidarity & gratitude, Chung-Wha Hong Executive Director