Start a conversation about food
Oxfam Canada's GROW site contains a number of resources that are useful background for holding a discussion about food. Growing a Better Future and Enough For Everyone are good places to start.
Discussing the "global food system” doesn’t need to be a daunting task!
The conversation can start by simply asking people about their favourite food. Engaging people with questions, actively listening and providing some quick facts that broaden the discussion are all key.
Here are some conversation starters and things to keep in mind when using social media to engage people:
Suggested conversation starters
- Likes / dislikes: What’s your favourite food? Is there any food you would not eat?
- What part of the world do your favourite foods come from? Are they locally produced or imported?
- What recipe would you most like to pass on to your children?
- What are your traditions around food – cultural or personal?
- Who would you invite to your ideal dinner party and why?
- What concerns you have about the food that you and your family eat?
- What factors do you think have an impact on food production?
- Are your favourite foods Fair Trade certified? Are they organic? What are the benefits of buying Fair Trade and organic foods?
- If you could only eat one kind of meal or type of food for the rest of your life, what would that be?
Using social media
- Don’t be reluctant to let your personality come through in your posts, but make sure you’re consistent and your points can be backed up by the evidence.
- Give your audience a role or stake in the conversation by inviting their input! This could include ideas for actions, sharing their favourite food-related stories, or allowing them to ask questions. Be sincere about it. Don’t ask for input and not respond.
- Give your audience feedback: Let them know what actions you’re taking on the GROW campaign, and tell them how they can be further involved along with you.
- Ask a lot of questions! Framing posts around questions is the best way to generate response from your audience.
Useful resources to help you feed your conversations:
- Check out Oxfam's global polling results on food.
- Read Growing a Better Future full of fascinating and informative facts and research.
- Find out why Oxfam is putting women at the centre of this campaign.
- Check out our great infographics, videos, and case studies.
