The 11th edition of the Instant Research event, organized by the French Red Cross Foundation, gathered over 60 participants and took place in a context where hunger, exacerbated by global crises, has become a major and complex issue. This event brought together three speakers: Bénédicte Bonzi, Sonia Bouima, and Aline Di Carlo, who shared their expertise and analysis on rethinking food aid in the face of new economic and social challenges. The discussions opened up crucial pathways for imagining a transformation of food aid, which is often seen as too limited in addressing current realities.
The speakers
- Bénédicte BONZI — 2021 Winner of the Foundation’s Research Grants
PhD in Anthropology, Associate Researcher at the Political Anthropology Laboratory of EHESS
- Sonia BOUIMA — 2024 Winner of the Foudation’s Research Grants
PhD in Social Sciences from the University of Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Associate Researcher at the S2HEP Laboratory at Lyon 1 University, founder of Humaneaty ® : studies, consulting, and training in social sciences applied to food
- Aline DI CARLO
Director of the VRAC (Towards a Common Purchasing Network) Association in Paris, dedicated to sharing the concept of “good eating”
A Context of Global and National Crisis
The fight against hunger has taken on particular significance in a context where food insecurity continues to rise, both globally and nationally. The health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these inequalities, revealing the fragility of food systems. Today, more and more people, of all ages and backgrounds, are turning to food aid. France and the organizations managing food aid are facing an alarming increase in demand, as highlighted by the speakers during the event.
Political and Economic Choices Behind the Situation
The three speakers agree that food insecurity is the result of political and economic choices that have widened inequalities. The fight against food insecurity cannot be limited to simply improving food distribution systems. It is necessary to rethink public policies concerning food and support for people facing food insecurity. This not only involves guaranteeing access to quality food for all but also addressing the underlying causes of insecurity.
Alternatives for “Eating Well” for Everyone
In response to these observations, alternative initiatives are emerging to address the shortcomings of the food aid system. Aline Di Carlo, Director of the VRAC (Towards a Common Purchasing Network) Association, presented an innovative model that allows people in precarious situations to access quality products at affordable prices. VRAC’s approach is based on the idea that everyone has the right to “eat well” and that food aid should not be limited to emergency responses. By emphasizing product quality and encouraging collective purchasing, VRAC creates a dynamic of empowerment for individuals, while strengthening social ties.
This solidarity model goes beyond the distribution of basic goods. It aims to restore dignity to beneficiaries by offering them the opportunity to actively participate in their own food choices, select what they consume, and share quality meals. This reintroduces a social and human dimension to food aid, transforming it into a tool for inclusion, rather than mere assistance.
The Challenge of a Fairer System
The three speakers called for a profound revision of food policies, to move beyond a purely assistance-based logic and create more just and inclusive systems. This is a matter that requires strong political and economic choices in order to reduce the social inequalities generated by the current food system.
This reinvention cannot happen without a joint mobilization of public authorities, associations, and citizens. The goal should be to guarantee everyone, particularly the most vulnerable, a fundamental right: the right to proper nutrition, with respect for their human dignity.
