Our Story
The Global Solidarity Alliance for Food, Health and Social Justice (GSA RightsNotCharity) began to emerge in 2018 out of relationships built at Trans-Atlantic conferences and meetings, resulting in a growing shared analysis of and reaction to the increased use of private philanthropy and transnational corporate food banking as a response to “rich world” hunger and poverty. Much of this analysis has a long-standing history; but the lasting effects of the 2008 global recession, the COVID-19 pandemic, together with the acceleration and expansion of food banking across the world, has led to our renewed focus in organizing around these issues.
While the structural issues that this alliance addresses are global, the proliferation of institutionalized corporate food banking, private philanthropy, food banks, and other “emergency measures” as permanent responses to poverty and food insecurity originated in the United States, before spreading to Canada and, since the mid 1980s, have steadily advanced across Europe and other parts of the globe. These solutions have never addressed the root causes of food insecurity, and oftentimes exacerbate poverty. They have allowed governments to look the other way, ignoring income policies and human rights, all the while creating greater openings for the corporate capture of public policy and funding.
The Global Solidarity Alliance’s focus on “wealthy-but-unequal” countries is a means to build a shared understanding among those in North America and Europe of the patterns of destructive policies which have taken hold in North America and are being replicated in European Countries, and beyond. In so doing, this #RightsNotCharity alliance will be better prepared to accompany our global allies who have long felt the perverse effects of resource extraction and colonialism by our governments and to open collective pathways to authentically struggle for food sovereignty as a right of all people everywhere. We invite you to join our growing global network in shifting from charity to solidarity with those whose rights have been systematically denied.
Our Mission as an Alliance
Build a shared analysis of the increasing use of charitable food aid, private philanthropy, and transnational corporate food banking as a flawed response to hunger and poverty.
Build collective strategies of resistance and alternative models and practices to promote the fulfillment of the right to nutritious food in our respective parts of the world.
Build global solidarity with and accompany our global allies who have long felt the perverse effects of resource extraction and colonialism, upheld through racism and white supremacy, by our governments thereby opening collective pathways to authentic struggle for food sovereignty as a right of all people everywhere.
Our Perspectives
A food future that’s fair for all
Shifting policy, practice and investments towards an equitable, resilient food system
Food banking is a failed response
We need a network of resilient, sustainably produced, local and regional food supplies
Food charities should not have to carry the burdens of reconciling glaring contradictions between food waste and hunger
Deep structural violence against impoverished, disabled, children, Black and other racially minoritized and marginalized people
Building a shared analysis and coordinated action among those advocating for the right to nutritious food
Government is obliged to create the conditions for people to be able to access good, nutritious, affordable food with dignity, now and in the future
