The U.S. Food Sovereignty Alliance (USFSA) has awarded its prestigious 2023 Food Sovereignty Prize to two grassroots organizations: the Black Dirt Farm Collective and Mouvman Peyizan Papay (MPP). This annual award celebrates entities committed to promoting food sovereignty and justice.

Christina Schiavoni, Senior Communications Coordinator for Grassroots International and a member of the USFSA, shared, “In these turbulent times, both organizations are beacons of hope and inspiration.” She lauded their efforts in championing food sovereignty, agroecology, Black liberation, and grassroots feminisms, driving vital changes in exploitative and oppressive food systems.

The Black Dirt Farm Collective, located in Brandywine, Maryland, comprises a dedicated team of Black and Brown farmers, educators, scientists, and land stewards. Their focus is on regenerating and nourishing land, advocating for equitable food systems, and emphasizing sustainable and regenerative agriculture. They are also deeply involved in land based healing and food justice, pushing for land access and ownership for Black and Brown communities and amplifying marginalized voices within agricultural and food justice movements.

MPP, also known as the Peasant Movement of Papaye, is a vital social and agricultural movement in Haiti. It staunchly defends the rights of peasant farmers and rural communities, with a strong focus on land reform, food security, and sustainable agriculture at the grassroots level.

Schiavoni pointed out the timing of the announcement, which coincided with the United Nations’ decision to send armed forces into Haiti, a move she believes will worsen the crises in the country. In contrast, she highlighted MPP’s efforts in addressing immediate crises while fostering sustainable local food economies that support rural livelihoods and ecological resilience, offering real, Haitian-led solutions.

The Food Sovereignty Prize, according to the USFSA, acts as an alternative to the World Food Prize, which they claim is influenced by global agribusiness interests. Heather Day, Executive Director of Community Alliance for Global Justice and a coordinating member of the USFSA, stated in a press release, “The Food Sovereignty Prize champions grassroots, agroecological solutions from the people most harmed by the injustices of the global food system.” She emphasized that both Mouvman Peyizan Papay and Black Dirt Farm Collective exemplify community-led farming systems that contribute to Black and Indigenous liberation while nurturing humanity and the Earth.