Andrea Oyuela - EAT

Interview by Fiona Breucker

Andrea Oyuela works for EAT, a science-based global platform and non-profit startup dedicated to transforming the global food system. She joined EAT just over a year ago and in her role as Urban Food Systems Officer, Andrea develops the cities portfolio through research, content development, and project management.

First of all, could you introduce yourself and your work a little? 

I am an architect and urban planner by training, but over the past six years, I have been working on projects related to urban health and food systems across the Global South. Prior to joining EAT, I worked with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) at their headquarters in Kenya, as manager for the Planning for Health program. I also had the chance to work with Food Tank: The Think Tank for Food, undertaking research and communications assignments to cover global stories on food. I am from Honduras and have been fortunate enough to learn from experiences in The Netherlands, Germany, Kenya and I’m now based in Norway. In my spare time, you will find me sketching or cooking.

The EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet and Health brought together 37 world-leading scientists to answer the question: “Can we feed a future population of 10 billion people a healthy diet within planetary boundaries?” What are your main take-aways from this report and how do they translate into your daily work at EAT?

The EAT-Lancet Commission report was revolutionary for food systems research and policy all across the globe. I learned three key lessons from the Commission’s recommendations: First, that it is possible to feed a growing world population without destroying the planet, but only if we change our consumption habits: how we produce food, how we transport it, and by reducing food waste. Second, as an urban professional, cities have immense potential to demand global food system change. Half of all food produced in the world is consumed in cities. Third, as an individual, I learned that there are many simple actions we as consumers can take in our day-to-day lives, such as eating more plant-based meals, eating locally and seasonally, and limiting waste (this is easy peasy!).

Since the report was published in 2019, it serves as the scientific basis for our work at EAT. We help cities come up with solutions for their most pressing food system challenges, based on the EAT-Lancet recommendations. Some examples include ideas for designing healthy urban food environments and serving more healthy and sustainable meals in public kitchens. We also make sure to feature this important work in our events, such as the EAT@Home newscast, to raise awareness among the public.

We know that we already have the capacity to feed 10 billion people, yet some suffer from hunger, whilst others are left obese. What do you think are the main issues with the food system today and how does it need to change?

There are some structural causes to address to make both people and planet healthy through food. On the one hand, you have a lot of unhealthy food on offer, which is widely available and accessible and becoming the norm. On the other hand, you have millions of people who don’t have enough to eat. Research by the UN shows that 2.1 million people in the world are overweight, while 821 million suffer from food insecurity. Unhealthy diets are now more deadly than tobacco, alcohol, and drug use combined.

The marketing, retailing, and food processing industries have a big role to play here. For example, in the United States, children are exposed to 10-11 food ads on TV per day, influencing their food choices in the long term. Food systems and the policies behind them can discourage unhealthy food marketing and the low cost of these foods so we can accelerate action towards improving global health.

The change we need, in which we value health and resilience over yield and productivity, starts by viewing our food and planet differently; we need to reconnect with food. This is something we are observing with the pandemic as more people spend time at home and get back to cooking. Some have also started growing their food to save a little money and be healthy. And they say that when you grow and cook your food, you start valuing it more, as well as your health and that of the planet.

 What role can cities play in creating healthy food environments?

Cities will play a critical role in creating healthy food environments. Half of the world’s population currently live in cities, and this number is expected to increase to two-thirds by 2050 - that’s nearly 10 billion people. But more importantly, cities are centers for culture, knowledge and trade, an environment that enables innovation to emerge. Getting it right in cities will, therefore, be a key step to securing access to healthy and sustainable food for the majority of the world’s population.

Two key stakeholders stand out when it comes to cities. The first one is local governments, who regulate urban planning, food procurement, and natural resource management (inside and outside cities) - and therefore set the rules. Local governments are taking a leadership role all around the world, as exemplified by international conventions such as the C40 Good Food Cities Declaration and the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact. The second stakeholder is the citizens themselves, who can generate the public will to demand better food governance and services, including demands to the private sector. What those millions of people living in cities put on their plate matters.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted urban food environments?

Physical distancing measures in cities are changing people’s behaviour, and in turn, how they perceive their food environment. In some cases, long queues at the grocery store, restaurant closures, and empty supermarket shelves have made citizens resort to delivery services or simply postponing their errands. In other cases, movement restrictions have further exposed how the food system under-serves vulnerable communities, including at-risk groups and ethnic minorities who have had difficulties accessing outlets with fresh, healthy food. As we continue to live in semi-confinement, our relationship with food systems will change daily; for some, shopping and preparing food are just a few points of contact with what people knew as normal life.

What is your main takeaway from the COVID-19 pandemic and what is your wish for a post-pandemic world?

The pandemic has placed a spotlight on the vulnerability of and urgent need to change our food systems if we are to achieve a sustainable future. My main takeaway would be that we are now at a critical point in time in which we need to take action, quickly. Whether you’re an individual, a community, a country or a city, we are all connected through food and this change will require all of us to weigh in.

Looking ahead, I wish for a transition to more equitable and sustainable cities. Cities with green corridors connecting all kinds of urban farms and green areas so that people can access nature. Cities where healthy, fresh food is available in every neighborhood and at walking distance. Cities full of buzzing markets and street stalls where people can gather to socialise and eat tasty food. And cities that work on having a positive impact on the rural area that surrounds them so that farmers can get a fair share for their work. This sounds utopian at times considering the challenges humanity is facing but I’m certain we can get there if we all pitch in.