Food Hero: Asia Pacific Farmers Overcoming COVID-19
When COVID-19 broke out, many jobs were stopped and the once busy world was put to a halt. But food production cannot be paused.
Looking at the bright side, COVID-19 brought forth front liners on all facets of life–medical, social, spiritual, psychological, and physical–all equally investing talents and resources in the performance of their fundamental role in society. Even though food is treated as essential service, farmers are among the least recognized in this time of the pandemic, at times taken for granted despite their important responsibility of feeding the world.
The whole world now faces a “new normal”–simply put, performing regular or normal roles in a new situation that requires measures to ensure the health and safety of everyone. The face mask symbolizes protection, of the basic protocol as each continues to fulfill the duties that go along with his/her profession–and for farmers, that is a continuous production of safe and healthy food. Thus, in the performance of this duty, the Asia Pacific Farmers’ Program (APFP) involving around 43 million family farmers and is implemented in 22 countries in the Asia-Pacific region through the consortium of the Asian Farmers’ Associaton for Sustainable Rural Development and La Via Campesina embark on a campaign dubbed as FOOD HERO.
The Food Hero campaign aims to address three points: (1) farmers’ protection; (2) alternative livelihood and additional income; and (3) awareness-raising on farmers’ contribution in food production as part of communication and visibility. Face mask production will be commissioned to rural women who have the potential to earn extra income from sewing. The face masks will then be distributed to vulnerable family farmers. Bearing the tagline FOOD HERO, the campaign intends to recognize the efforts of family farmers and in turn, uplift their confidence as they silently yet diligently carry out the work of producing food amid the risk of COVID-19 coupled with the vagaries of climate change.
Moreover, the Food Hero campaign seeks support from partners, donors, private sector, and development agencies by purchasing a face mask at a donated price of USD 5 each. With this amount, an extra face mask will be produced for distribution to family farmers. The cost does not cover shipping fees. Orders can be placed through the Facebook page solely dedicated to this campaign: the Asia-Pacific Family Farmers Food Hero campaign.
Our heartfelt thanks for your act of kindness. Together, let’s beat COVID19 and build a resilient and caring world.