This document discusses the concept of food sovereignty, which was formulated by the international organization Via Campesina in 1996 as an alternative to the industrial food system. It provides 8 key points about food sovereignty, including that food is viewed as a cultural issue rather than a commodity, family farmers and local communities should control national food systems rather than corporations, and the needs of the national market are prioritized over export markets. The document also notes some elements of food sovereignty that require further nuanced analysis, such as the relationship with global trade, biotechnology, and the role of the nation-state.