Urban food policy councils as politicized spaces: The case of Arusha, Tanzania

Abstract

Informal food vendors constitute a significant portion of the workforce in Arusha, Tanzania, and play a crucial role in the local food system. Despite their importance, these vendors lack political and social agency, resulting in their underrepresentation in decision-making processes. This study explores the potential of urban food policy councils (UFPCs) to support these vendors, focusing on the Arusha Sustainable Food System Platform. Recently, the platform faced a government directive to relocate street vendors without their participation. This case study examines the platform’s response to this directive.

Using a conceptual framework that positions UFPCs as politicized spaces, centered on social justice, epistemic justice, and empowerment, and an analytical framework based on critical governance, this research employs document analysis, in-depth interviews, focus groups with market vendors, and participative observations of platform meetings and events.

The findings reveal that the ASFSP refrained from engaging with vendors due to several factors: a focus on food safety concerns overshadowing social justice concerns, a preference for formality that excludes informal actors, and limitations imposed by the city council, with relocation decisions made at the national level beyond the platform’s influence. Nevertheless, the platform shows significant promise in addressing democratic deficits in Arusha’s local food systems, but further steps are necessary for it to function effectively as a politicized space. Its transformative potential is contingent upon being embedded within a broader democratic context.

The framework of UFPCs as politicized spaces offers a possibility to connect the food democracy debate and UFPC literature. Additionally, the study offers practical insights for the platform and similar councils to improve the inclusion of street vendors in decision-making processes.