Sharing Economy Approaches to Australian Food Security

Conference Call for Proposals - “Building a New Economy for Australia” 1-3 September 2017, Brisbane

‘Sharing economy’ approaches to Australian food security

Denise G. Nogueira, Queensland University of Technology Carol Richards, Queensland University of Technology Robyn Mayes, Queensland University of Technology

Conference Topic/s Relevant to this Proposal: Research methods and projects that support the new economy / Food and food systems in the new economy

Type of Participation Proposed: Academic papers

ABSTRACT The term ‘sharing economy’ is commonly associated with initiatives that enable alternative connections between individuals, communities and organisations. Often based on digital platforms, those initiatives are expected to bypass the traditional ‘middle man’ and contribute to building a new economic paradigm.

However, the practical field is complex and messy. The variety of terminologies (collaborative, sharing, gig, peer-to-peer) represents more than the absence of consensus towards a sole definition. It expresses diverse, and sometimes divergent, approaches and motivations. Therefore, the current and future implications of the ‘sharing economy’ require critical understanding.

This proposal aims to contribute to the debate by highlighting ‘sharing economy’ initiatives related to food security in Australia. Food security, as part of food systems, may be conceptualised as a core component of a ‘new economy’. The pathway to food security intertwines social, environmental and economic issues, demanding systemic interventions, rather than isolated initiatives. This context can be represented by the paradox between food waste and food insecurity – up to 40% of food is wasted while food insecurity affects up to 16% of the Australian population.

The purpose of this study is to map current initiatives related to food security and connect them with different aspects of what might be termed the ‘sharing economy’. BIOGRAPHY Denise G. Nogueira is a master by research candidate at Queensland University of Technology. Her research explores how the sharing economy is affecting social issues. Denise has over 15 years international experience working with local development, sustainability and corporate social responsibility. She holds a bachelor degree in business and a postgraduate diploma in sustainability management. Dr Carol Richards is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Management, Business School, Queensland University of Technology, Australia. She graduated from The University of Queensland, Australia with a PhD in Sociology in 2007, specializing in the sociology of global food systems. She has published on the topics of supermarket power in the food supply chain, food waste, food security and food sovereignty. Carol was the leader of the Australasian Agrifood Research Network (2010-2014), Committee Member/Vice-president of the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance (2011-104) and is currently a Council Member of the International Rural Sociology Association as well as member of the emerging Fair Food Brisbane organisation. Dr Robyn Mayes is a feminist human geographer with substantive interests in social justice in particular around corporate social responsibility, labour migration, gender, and community. Recent work spans new social movements, the social and cultural geographies of transnational au pairs in Australia, and the geographies of digital work as enacted in the platform economy. She has published over 40 journal articles and book chapters, and been invited to speak at a range of national and international fora.