Dialing up Critical Feminist Research as Lockdown Dialed us Down

This original research paper examines the necessity of adopting a feminist approach to urban food system transformation, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights how the pandemic exacerbated existing patterns of food insecurity, particularly for women in marginalized communities. By focusing on the roles women play in food security and the systemic barriers they face, the study advocates for incorporating care work into food system governance. Through a collaborative research process conducted in Cape Town's Cape Flats, the authors explore the importance of community kitchens and grassroots initiatives in addressing food injustice. The findings call for destigmatizing hunger and empowering communities to reclaim agency in their food systems.