2 - Can "Solidarity" Create Emergence in Food Systems? Producer-Consumer Relationships in Agroecology in the Post-COVID Philippines

Presentation Abstract
In the post-COVID Philippines, amidst heightened health consciousness and rapid economic growth, relatively expensive organic products have become more visible in the malls of the Metro Manila region. While the sales volume of organic products is increasing, the extent to which urban consumers not only prioritize personal health but also support a sustainable agro-food system and the farmers involved remains uncertain. As Joassart-Marcelli (2022) highlighted the limitations of fair trade, the mere purchase of “good products” under ethical consumerism does not provide a fundamental solution to the underlying problems of food systems. Similarly, organic products sold in malls in Metro Manila often come from major agribusinesses who opportunistically adopt organic farming practices for profit, continuing monoculture farming with high environmental impacts. 
On the other hand, there are various NGOs, cooperatives, and organizations across the Philippines that are engaged in agroecological practices. These organizations facilitate movements where consumers actively approach farmers who practice sustainable agriculture and support them through purchasing their products. This paper aims to explore the forms of such “solidarity” and the characteristics of the people involved. Furthermore, it examines the perceived “environment” in agroecological practices – whether it is conceived globally, within specific rural spaces, or as something else entirely. Through these lenses, this paper will shed light on the actual current situation of producer-consumer relationships in agroecology as facilitated by NGOs and cooperatives, and thereby assesses the potential for “solidarity” in agroecology to foster the emergence of food systems.