Gender, diversity, culture, and the Pacific food system : exploring sustainability

In 2021 the Pacific Community came together to outline a strategy for advancing Blue Pacific Food Systems that is built on an understanding of linkages between the Pacific and the rest of the world, as well as within the Pacific region between its 22 Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (PICTs). The Summary Brief notes Pacific societies have a “…long history and culture of sustainably managing the ocean and land, which has supported Pacific communities for generations.” This traditional sustainability is now under threat. The PICTs face growing development challenges - climate change, urbanisation, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), risk of pathogens and pests, and overfishing - that affect how they obtain sufficient nutritious food to feed their populations.1 This article explores the diversity of the Pacific region, the current Pacific food gap and the important roles of culture and gender in shaping a sustainable Pacific food system.