Navigating the Politics of Food System Futures: Post-Disaster Food Sovereignty in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Puerto Rico has been devastated by protracted economic collapse. Hurricanes Irma and Maria’s landfall in 2017 shattered the archipelago, followed by earthquakes in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Hurricane Fiona in 2022. There have been chronic issues with recovery post-disasters. In the context of economic, political, and ecological uncertainty, one of the most pressing concerns for Puerto Rico now and in the future will be its food supply. This research explores the effects of sequential disasters on the people of Puerto Rico and their food system. The study investigates food insecurity, government responses, and the will toward food sovereignty. The study is derived from individual in-depth interviews (n=84), archives (legal/court documents), media analysis (newspapers/photographs), and government data. The research adopts a critical and decolonial framework to the study of post-disaster Puerto Rico.