33,000 Demonstrate for Healthy Food in Berlin
Approximately 33,000 people marched in Berlin demanding healthy food and sustainable agriculture. The demonstration coincided with the International Green Week trade fair and the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture.
Berlin saw a large demonstration in January advocating for a sustainable food system and healthier diets. Around 33,000 individuals participated in the "Wir haben es satt!" (We've had enough!) movement's annual protest, held parallel to the International Green Week agricultural trade fair.
Organizers, including Welthungerhilfe, called for supporting smallholder farms over industrial agriculture, reducing corporate power in food production, and promoting global justice in agricultural policies. Key demands focused on preserving farm diversity and strengthening regional markets.
Welthungerhilfe highlights that global hunger often stems from power imbalances within the food system. Small-scale producers, who cultivate a significant portion of the world's food, are frequently excluded from policy debates that affect them, while large corporations and political decision-makers wield considerable influence over food access and eating habits.
The organization emphasizes that eradicating hunger requires profound changes in rural development and a substantial global strengthening of smallholder farmers. Governments are urged to establish and enforce regulatory frameworks that protect citizens' food security and sovereignty. Key to improving livelihoods are access to resources like land and production means, alongside the creation of rural employment opportunities, contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices.