#563: The Financialization of the Food System – Prof. Martin Caraher

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Introduction

Global food systems have been increasingly subjected to financial speculation, leading to adverse consequences for growers, consumers, and public health. But what are the systemic vulnerabilities that impact food security, equitable access to nutritious food, and the broader socio-political frameworks influencing these outcomes?

Understanding the financial mechanisms shaping food production and distribution is highly relevant for health professionals, policy makers, and researchers concerned with nutrition, equity, and global health systems.

This episode urges a critical re-evaluation of current food policies and invites consideration of more ethical, resilient approaches to safeguarding food systems.


Guest Information

Prof. Martin Caraher

Professor Martin Caraher is Emeritus Professor of Food and Health Policy at the Centre for Food Policy, City St. Georges, University of London. With a foundational background in environmental health, he has transitioned into public health and health promotion, focusing extensively on food policy.

His research encompasses food poverty, food security, the role of food aid, and the broader implications of food systems on public health. He has collaborated with organizations such as the UK Department of Health, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization, contributing to policy development and evaluation.

Professor Caraher has critically examined the rise of food banks and the normalization of food aid, arguing that these are symptomatic of deeper systemic issues within food systems and welfare policies. He emphasizes the need for structural changes to address the root causes of food poverty, rather than relying on charitable food aid as a long-term solution.


Timestamps

  • [01:12] Financialization of food: an overview
  • [05:27] Speculation and its impact on food prices
  • [13:10] Global food security and policy responses
  • [17:20] Corporate concentration in food systems
  • [34:03] Potential solutions and future directions


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