The connectivity of food security, food sovereignty, and food justice in boreal ecosystems: the case of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon

This article presents a case study of the Saint-Pierre and Miquelon (France) archipelago in order to identify the network and flow of agricultural resources within the circumpolar northern hemisphere known as a “boreal ecosystem” or “boreal ecozone”. We emphasize that climate and the existence of food insecurity within wealthy nations should be factored into conceptualizations of food sovereignty and food justice. The self-governing territory’s remote distance from the mainland exemplifies food system challenges faced by rural communities with short growing seasons, high transportation costs, and complex natural resource governance. Subsistence agriculture is possible, but infeasible from a practical perspective. Saint-Pierre and Miquelon’s food system is historically based in abundant fishing. Community residents otherwise rely on imports. We conclude that there is opportunity for rural communities in boreal ecozones to attain spatial food justice if food security goals are balanced with mindfulness to food sovereignty. Equitable access to natural resources and preservation of culturally appropriate food are important dimensions of food sovereignty. If the basic “right to food” is maintained, then food security goals will be balanced over time and spatial justice will be facilitated.