As global food insecurity reaches unprecedented levels—affecting over 333 million people in 2023 alone—the world faces a severe crisis that has only worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic. Simultaneously, the global obesity epidemic continues to escalate, with 2022 seeing 1 in 8 people worldwide living with obesity, a figure that has more than doubled since 1990, according to the World Health Organization. These crises are closely linked to social injustices and structural inequalities, disproportionately impacting marginalized communities. Such inequities are particularly evident in phenomena such as "food apartheid" or "supermarket redlining," where residents in low-income, often racialized urban areas have limited or no access to affordable, healthy food options due to the absence of nearby grocery stores. This lack of access further restricts the already limited choices for maintaining a healthy diet within these communities.

Recognizing the pressing need for a systemic and justice-oriented approach to food policy, the JHU-UPF Public Policy Center organized a panel of international experts for the Policy Dialogue “Planning for Food Systems, Equity, and the City: Experiences from the Americas.” The panel featured Yeeli Mui, a Bloomberg Assistant Professor of American Health at Johns Hopkins University, whose research focuses on addressing the structural determinants of food systems and health inequities through systems science and urban planning. Also on the panel was Ornella Moreno-Mattar, a PhD candidate in Political and Social Science at Pompeu Fabra University and a researcher with the GREDS-EMCONET group with experience working on health policy in multiple government institutions in Colombia. Her doctoral work explores the cost-equity of interventions to reduce obesity and overweight, underscoring her commitment to addressing health inequities through policy and research. The session's discussant, Shaniek Parks, is a communications expert currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Population Health at the University of Oxford. Her research examines the impact of digital communication on food decision-making among young adults in Jamaica, her home country, and the United Kingdom.

Yeeli Mui opened the panel, providing an overview of food systems and emphasizing their complexity and importance. She explained that food systems involve interconnected components, from agriculture to waste management, all of which are crucial for public health, livelihoods, and the environment. Mui pointed out that while food systems are essential for providing nutritious diets, they often make unhealthy, calorie-dense foods more accessible and affordable, contributing to diet-related diseases.

She also highlighted the economic injustices involved in food systems, noting that food system workers, despite being vital members of society, often face low wages and poor working conditions. Mui called for a shift towards more equitable and sustainable food systems both for workers and consumers, suggesting tools like comprehensive plan evaluations, systems thinking, and food policy councils to drive change. She emphasized the need for inclusive planning that addresses equity and engages marginalized communities.

The next presenter was Ornella Moreno-Mattar, who focused her presentation on food policy and equity, particularly in the context of Colombia.

She began by highlighting that many food system issues stem from power imbalances, which affect decision-making, access to resources, and control over food-related decisions. She emphasized the need for food policies that address these inequities. She categorized food policies into several groups, including food security, agricultural, trade, sustainability, and nutrition policies.

Moreno-Mattar provided specific examples, such as Colombia’s school feeding program, which aims to ensure food security for children from low-income families, and Brazil’s Food Acquisition Program, which supports family farmers. She discussed the challenges of regulating ultra-processed foods, particularly in Colombia, where policies such as warning labels on packaging and taxes on sugary drinks have been implemented, yet governments still face significant obstacles, including industry lobbying and lack of transparency.

Finally, Moreno-Mattar stressed the importance of accurate data, advocacy, and addressing the broader social and environmental impacts of food systems. She argued for stronger government intervention to protect public health from corporate interests focused primarily on profit.

The session concluded with a reflection by Shaniek Parks on the two presentations, in which she emphasized the importance of understanding food systems, the role of urban planning in food access, and the commercial determinants of health, for creating equitable food policies. Drawing from her background in communications and her research on the social determinants of health, particularly for young adults aged 18 to 25, Parks highlighted the need for targeted health campaigns that address this age group's unique challenges and influences. She underscored the multidisciplinary nature of the discussion, stressing that effective food policies must be integrated into comprehensive urban planning, and vice versa. She then opened the floor to a Q&A session, in which the audience discussed these critical topics further with the panelists.

This was the last Policy Dialogues session to be held in the 2023-24 academic year. Policy Dialogues will return in October 2024; follow the Center on X at @pubpolcenter for updates and announcements.