In April, our Scientific Director, Piotr Magnuszewski, along with Chris Hegadorn (SciencesPo) and Kristen Sukalac (Prospero & Partners), had the opportunity to present the Food Alert methodology to the Expert Group supporting the European Food Security Crisis Preparedness and Responsiveness Mechanism (EFSCM). The session generated excellent questions and provided valuable insights into the impact and versatility of the Food Alert stress-testing exercise.

How can stress testing affect policy practice?

The Food Alert stress-testing methodology offers several key benefits for policymakers:

1. Understanding Interconnections – participants gain a deep understanding of the various interconnections within the food security system. This awareness helps them anticipate possible sudden changes that might emerge during crises.
2. Rehearsing Responses – the simulation allows participants to practice different responses and gain insights into trade-offs. This preparation can save crucial time and lead to better responses during actual crises.
3. Building Relationships – perhaps even more importantly, the simulation fosters long-lasting relationships among participants. 

Versatility of the method

Our methodology includes a conceptual framework where initial shocks trigger cascades of knock-on effects that spread across space and time. This flexible framework can be adapted to various scenarios, not just the one presented during the February workshop in Brussels. For example, our first workshop used climate shocks as the primary trigger, but the trigger could just as well be biological threats. This versatility makes the framework a comprehensive tool for preparedness and response planning across different situations.

Learn More About Food Alert

If you’re interested in learning more about Food Alert, we invite you to download our detailed report: Food Alert Report. Follow Food Alert’s LinkedIn to stay up to date.

Acknowledgments

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the sponsors of the first workshop: EIT Food and the Permanent Representation of the Netherlands to the EU.