This week, I am sharing a video that the team at Farms Not Factories produced from the Food in Our Hands March. It was a moment that truly encapsulated the urgency of the fight for a sustainable food system.
This past Saturday, the FNF team attended the #FoodInOurHands march, where 300 small-scale farmers and their supporters gathered in solidarity, organised by the incredible Landworkers' Alliance. The energy, passion, and clarity of the speeches were nothing short of inspiring.
Every protest I’ve attended has highlighted just how urgent this fight is. Whether it’s about inheritance tax, agroecology, or food sovereignty, every cause is valid and every voice matters. But here’s the sad truth: as an industry, we’re not uniting at every possible opportunity, and that’s something we desperately need to change.
I’ll be honest. I often feel like I’m in the middle of several different worlds of farming. I’m not as earthy as some of the agroecology farmers, but I’m deeply passionate about regenerative methods, soil health, and high-welfare farming. I’m not a large-scale commercial farmer, but I’ve been trying to produce on a small commercial scale. I’m not a generational farmer either; I’m a new entrant who started farming during the 2020 lockdown, knowing very little about the industry.
When I first started, I didn’t even know about groups like the Landworkers’ Alliance. But as I stood at this march, listening to the speeches, I realised how much of what was being said hit home with me. The market is failing all of us, whether you’re a small-scale farmer, a consumer, or someone who cares about the future of food.
Jyoti Fernandes, the Campaigns Coordinator of the Landworkers’ Alliance, delivered a powerful message: “The market does not deliver. The market does not serve. The market has failed.” She reminded us of the government’s moral duty to protect farmers and food workers, calling for anti-patriarchal, anti-capitalist solutions that prioritise the needs of society and the environment over market-driven forces.
Richard Choksery, a horticulturist and Community Engagement Manager, echoed this sentiment, challenging the government to rethink its priorities. “The industrial ethic demands it,” he said, “but it’s destroying everything that’s vital: our land, our communities, and our way of life.” His rallying cry to “raise the digger’s standard and occupy the land” underscored the urgency of this fight.
The truth is, we can’t fix all of our problems overnight. However, that doesn’t mean we stop trying. Every protest, every action, and every conversation brings us one step closer to a food system that supports people, the environment, and future generations.
Globalisation, economies of scale, and a profit-first mindset are driving small-scale farmers out of existence. If we don’t act now, we face a future dominated by lab-grown meat, GM crops, and ultra-processed junk food—a future devoid of the connection to the land and the nourishment it provides.
This isn’t just about food; it’s about sovereignty, resilience, and the survival of farming as we know it. It’s about protecting the livelihoods of farmers who work tirelessly to feed us, often in the face of immense challenges.
We must stand with them. Support them. Buy direct from local food hubs like farmers’ markets, farm shops, and box schemes. Every choice we make as consumers is a step toward food sovereignty and a brighter future for farming.
Take a moment to watch this video we produced with Farms Not Factories. It captures the essence of the march and the voices of those fighting for a better way forward.
What does food sovereignty mean to you? How can we all play a part in supporting small-scale, sustainable farming? Share your thoughts below—I’d love to hear from you.
Share this post