Colombian Ecovillage Shifts Food Focus to Community Care

Researchers studied Nashira, a female-led ecovillage in Colombia, to understand how community narratives around food evolved from private survival to shared resources. The study used ethnographic observation, interviews with ten residents, and a group narrative session to chart this change.

Residents initially described childhood food experiences rooted in exclusivity and patriarchal structures. The community transitioned toward narratives emphasizing inclusion, reciprocity, and mutual support.

This shift manifested in practical ways, through home gardens, communal kitchens, recycling programs, and solar energy, and through educational initiatives. Researchers found that acknowledging vulnerability fostered reciprocity and that shared knowledge drove narrative change.

They also observed that tensions within the community did not hinder care but instead helped it grow. This research suggests that prioritizing care in food systems can support broader sustainability transitions.