The Institute for Ecology, Scholarship and Health, the Office for Sustainability, Professor Alexis Racelis and the School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences will partner to bring UTRGV its first Food Summit as part of the weeklong Earth Fest celebration.
In past years, the Agroecology and Resilient Food Systems program has hosted similar events targeting similar topics, but not as comprehensive and inclusive as the upcoming event, according to Racelis, the Food Summit’s project director.
“What we want to do is showcase the different … efforts of individuals and institutions, businesses that are really trying to promote food systems, sustainability and well-being,” he said.
Racelis, an associate professor in the UTRGV School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences, has held monthly meetings since August with residents of the Valley to discuss topics of urgency regarding food systems.
He said that regardless of the Valley being one of the most agriculturally productive regions in Texas, it has the highest rates of food-related diseases.
“With obesity and diabetes, we also have a lot of poverty,” Racelis said. “It seems like a bit of a paradox that we’re being in these conditions, considering we’re so rich agriculturally.”
The summit is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. April 19 in the Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg. The event will continue from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 20 and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 21 in the Borderlands Room in the Education Complex on the Edinburg campus and from 5 to 7 p.m. April 21 at the Hub of Prosperity Farm in Edinburg.
It will include panel discussions on how to transform the food system, food and policy at local and national levels, farmworkers’ rights and health through food, featuring local voices and organizations. There will also be a screening of the documentary “Valley of Tears.”
UTRGV Chief Sustainability Officer Marianella Franklin said there could be real change if the opportunity arises during the summit to discuss the food- and health-related challenges the Valley battles.
“If we could have a clear conversation with our farmers, if we can have a conversation with our city officials who can change policies and ordinances … if they start serving better food, more nutritious food, we’re all going to be better off,” Franklin said. “The entire Rio Grande Valley is going to see a shift in their health, and that’s what we hope to achieve.”
She said the food summit will cover the first four of 17 goals set by the United Nations, which are eliminating poverty and hunger, having good health, well-being and quality education.
“This is a very important summit because [Racelis is] bringing together not just faculty, staff and students, but he’s bringing in the local farmers,” Franklin said. “He’s bringing in nonprofit organizations … as well as city officials or commissioners and county judges and a couple of other people, who, you know, work in the area of food systems.”
Hernan Colminero, CEO of the Institute for Ecology, Scholarship and Health, said the event is trying to bring stakeholders from various industries in the Valley to advise on how to improve the wealth the area has to offer, agricultural productivity, cultural heritage and the ecological landscape.
“We are hoping to improve the livelihood [of] residents of the Rio Grande Valley,” Colminero said. “That being said, we understand that our situation here is not … relegated to only the RGV, so we’re bringing in some speakers from El Paso, for example, and having a rich discussion on colonias, food access in colonias.”
He said people should walk away with actionable ideas and steps to improve the food system.
“Everyone plays at least some role, even if we’re just eaters, right?” Colminero said. “So, how do we consume food in a more sustainable manner?”
The summit is a free public event, but space is limited. The event will also be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person. To access the meeting or RSVP, visit rgvagroecology.com.
