ISSUE: 4/2023
- Volume 27
- Number 4
- 2023
Subscribe NEWSLETTER
Studia Europejskie –
Studies in European Affairs
ISSN: 1428-149X
e-ISSN: 2719-3780
License
Articles published in the journal are under a Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial – No Derivatives 4.0 International License
Food Solidarity Battles: The Case of Poland After the Russian Aggression on Ukraine
Abstract
The unprovoked Russian invasion on Ukraine on 24th February 2022 awakened in Poland a tremendous amount of solidarity with the Ukrainian people, including that of food solidarity. Food aid organised by the Polish government was preceded by initiatives of private citizens and NGOs to supply Ukrainian refugees – those gathered at the border and entering Poland – with ready-to-eat food, with more spontaneous food aid continuing after they arrived. It was only somewhat later that these grassroots efforts became coordinated by local governments and state bodies.
Direct help was accompanied by two other, bottom-up initiatives, the first of which being attempts to boycott Russian food products, as well as companies and retail chains which continued doing business in Russia post-invasion, and the second being a symbolic renaming of some food products and dishes that indicated Russian origins or influences.
This work aims to analyse food aid organised for Ukrainian refugees and people remaining in Ukraine as conducted by various entities in Poland. It stresses the significance of the activism of private citizens and small groups while also presenting the social and cultural implications of the symbolic de-russification of popular foods and dishes in Poland. While discussing Polish food solidarity with Ukrainians, it is important to consider that, one year after Putin’s invasion, about 1.5 million Ukrainian refugees (of which over 87% are women and children) might be staying in Poland long-term (Sieradzka, 2023; Zharova, 2023). The initial impetus for solidarity is, however, wearing off; the new context also includes so-called “solidarity lanes” established by the European Union to transit agricultural products, which have unintentionally put Polish farmers in a difficult position. As food solidarity with Ukraine might be subsiding in Poland, its popularity throughout most of 2022 contributed to a better understanding of relief work in the work zones and augmented the integration of Ukrainian refugees within Polish society.
References
Adamczyk, M. (2023) Prezes AgroUni o ukraińskim zbożu: Powinien być zakaz obrotu w UE. Radio Zet, 14.02.2023. Available at: https://wiadomosci.radiozet.pl/Gosc-Radia-ZET/prezes-agrounii-bylbym-duzo-lepszym-ministrem-niz-kowalczyk-ukrainskie-zboze-powinien-byc-zakaz-obrotu-w-ue-14022023 (Access 12.04.2023).
Baszczak, Ł., Kiełczewska, A., Kukołowicz, P., Wincewicz, A. and Zyzik, R. (2022) How Polish Society Has Been Helping Refugees From Ukraine. Warsaw: Polish Economic Institute. Available at: https://pie.net.pl/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Pomoc-pol-spol-UKR-ENG-22.07.2022-C.pdf (Access 26.06.2023).
Bednarz, P. (2022) „Garmaż od Ukrainek. Tak wygląda restauracja uchodźczyń w Warszawie”, Business Insider. 25.03.2022. Available at: https://businessinsider.com.pl/fi nanse/garmaz-od-ukrainek-tak-wyglada-restauracja-uchodzczyn-w-warszawie/1qbzt4l (Access 26.06.2023).
Bilewicz, A. et al. (2021) “Paradoxical Dissatisfaction among Post-Socialist Farmers with the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy: A Study of Farmers’ Subjectivities in Rural Poland”, East European Politics and Society and Culture. Vol. 36(3), pp. 892–912. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/08883254211036717.
Bogoryja-Zakrzewski, A. (2022) Food truck z pielmieni. Ukrainki biorą (kulinarne) sprawy w swoje ręce. Polskie Radio, 15.06.2022. Available at: https://trojka.polskieradio.pl/artykul/2980992,Food-truck-z-pielmieni-Ukrainki-biorą-(kulinarne)-sprawy-w-swoje-ręce-[POSŁUCHAJ] (Access 26.06.2023).
Bondar, N. and Golikova, T. (2022) Culinary Traditions and Eating Patterns of Various Ukrainian Regions in Bogueva, D. et al. (eds.) Nutritional and Health Aspects of Food in Eastern Europe. Elsevier Traditional and Ethnic Food Series. Academic Press, pp. 123–146.
Brzostek, D. (2022) „Bojkot przybiera na sile. W sobotę protesty przed sklepami Leroy Merlin i Auchan w niemal 60 miastach”, Gazeta Wyborcza Biz. 22.04.2022. Available at: https://wyborcza.biz/biznes/7,147743,28365469,fala-bojkotu-przybiera-na-sile-protesty-przed-sklepami-leroy.html?disableRedirects=true (Access 26.06.2023).
Caritas Poland (2002) Year of Support. Caritas Helps Ukraine. Available at: https://caritas.pl/ukraine/ (Access 27.06.2023).
Czoik, T. (2022) „Związkowcy z Sierpnia ’80 pikietowali pod Auchan w Katowicach. Bojkotujcie tych, którzy robią interesy ze zbrodniarzami”, Gazeta Wyborcza Katowice. 30.03.2022. Available at: https://katowice.wyborcza.pl/katowice/7,35063,28281709,zwiazkowcy-z-sierpnia-80-pikietowali-pod-auchan-w-katowicach.html (Access 29.03.2023).
Dahm, J. and Andres, P. (2023) Germany, Spain Slam Commission Over Ukraine Import Restriction. Euractiv, 7.06.2023. Available at: https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/germany-spain-slam-commission-over-ukraine-import-restrictions/ (Access 19.06.2023).
Duszczyk, M. and Kaczmarczyk, P. (2022) “The War in Ukraine and Migration to Poland: Outlook and Challenges”, Intereconomics. Vol. 57(3), pp. 164–170. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10272-022-1053-6.
Florkiewicz, P., Strzelecki, M. and Wlodarczak-Semczuk, A. (2023) Ukraine Agrees With Poland On Grain Transit, But Black Sea Deal In Doubt. Reuters. 18.04.2023. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/poland-ukraine-resume-grain-transit-talks-2023-04-18/ (Access 27.06.2023).
Główny Inspektorat Sanitarny. Produkcja żywności w warunkach domowych. Available at: https://www.gov.pl/web/gis/produkcja-zywnosci-w-warunkach-domowych (Access 19.06.2023).
Harper, J. (2022) “Polish Farmers Irate Over Ukrainian Grain”, Die Welt. 29.07.2022. Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/grains-of-truth-polish-farmers-irate-over-ukrainian-imports/a-62629948 (Access 27.06.2023).
Helak, M. (2022) Polacy wobec Ukraińców. Analiza postaw społecznych. Warsaw: Polityka Insight. Available at: https://www.politykainsight.pl/_resource/multimedium/20314977 (Access 27.06.2023).
Kacprzak, I. and Zawadka, G. (2022) „Zmiana strategii wobec uchodźców z Ukrainy”, Rzeczpospolita. 13.11.2022. Available at: htps://www.rp.pl/kraj/art37403401-zmiana-strategii-wobec-uchodzcow-z-ukrainy (Access 27.06.2023).
Karpieszuk, W. (2022) „Stop mordowaniu dzieci – Leroy, Auchan to finansują. Protest przed AFP”, Gazeta Wyborcza Warszawa. 30.04.2022. Available at: https://warszawa.wyborcza.pl/warszawa/7,54420,28395312,stop-mordowaniu-dzieci-leroy-auchan-to-finansuja-protest.html (Access 26.06.2023).
Knight, M. and Hallam, J. (2023) Poland and Hungary Ban Ukrainian Grain Amid Glut From Neighbor. CNN, 16.04.2023. Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/16/europe/poland-bans-grain-ukraine-intl/index.html (Access 12.06.2023).
Kochan, B. (2022) Pampuszka. Ukraińskie dania w kolorowej stołówce. Available at: https://krosno24.pl/informacje/pampuszka-ukrainskie-dania-w-kolorowej-stolowce-i5232 (Access 12.04.2023).
Kovacs, E.K. et al. (2022) “The War in Ukraine and Food Security in Eastern Europe”, Gastronomica. Vol. 22(3), pp. 1–7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/gfc.2022.22.3.1.
Kozak, A. (2022) „Rząd nadal nie zgłosił się po pomoc do specjalistów. Przez niektóre rozwiązania włosy stają dęba na głowie”, Kobieta Gazeta. 6.04.2022. Available at: https://kobieta.gazeta.pl/kobieta/7,107881,28305154,rzad-nadal-nie-zglosil-sie-o-pomoc-do-specjalistow-od-migracji.html (Access 26.06.2023).
Krzysztoszek, A. (2023) Zelenskyy Promises Solution to Ukrainian Grain Flooding Polish market. Euractiv, 6.04.2023. Available at: https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/zelenskyy-promises-solution-to-ukrainian-grain-flooding-polish-market (Access 26.06.2023).
Lasarov, W., Hoffmann, S. and Orth, U. (2021) “Vanishing Boycott Impetus: Why and How Consumer Participation in a Boycott Decreases Over Time”, Journal of Business Ethics. Vol. 182, pp. 1129–1154. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-021-04997-9.
Lee, A. et al. (2023) “Ukraine Refugee Crisis: Eveloving Needs and Challenges”, Public Health. Vol. 217, pp. 41–45.
Liboreiro, J. (2023) EU Extends Targeted Bans on Ukrainian Grain Until Mid-September, Despite Kyiv Objections. Euronews, 5.06.2023. Available at: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/06/05/eu-extends-targeted-bans-on-ukrainian-grain-until-mid-september-despite-kyivs-objections (Access 26.06.2023).
Library of Congress (2022) Parliament Adopts New Law to Regulate Influx of Ukrainian Refugees and Provide Them with Protection and Assistance. Available at: https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2022-04-27/poland-parliament-adopts-new-law-to-regulate-influx-of-ukrainian-refugees-and-provide-them-with-protection-and-assistance/ (Access 26.06.2023).
Madejski, M. (2022) „Czy ciągle bojkotujemy Auchan i spółkę? Te paragony mówią wszystko”, Business Insider. 25.09.2022. Available at: https://businessinsider.com.pl/gospodarka/czy-ciagle-bojkotujemy-auchan-i-spolke-te-paragony-mowia-wszystko/z9zwnhh (Access 27.06.2023).
McGrath, S. and Erling, B. (2023) “Ukrainian Grain Glut Hits Agribusiness in Neighbouring Countries”, Financial Times. 29.03.2023. Available at: https://www.ft.com/content/df135020-1cb3-43a7-be6b-5986bca5ea94 (Access 26.06.2023).
Miastowska, A. (2022) Nie ma już takiego dania jak pierogi ruskie. Spór o „ruskie pierogi” podzielił internautów. Na Temat, 14.04.2022. Available at: https://natemat.pl/406999,pierogi-ruskie-zmienily-nazwe-na-pierogi-ukrainskie-spor-o-nazwe (Access 26.06.2023).
Official Journal of the European Union (2022) Regulation (EU) 2022/870 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2022 on temporary trade-liberalisation measures supplementing trade concessions applicable to Ukrainian products under the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Ukraine, of the other part. Available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R0870 (Access 12.06.2023).
Office for Foreigners (2022) Amendment to the law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens in connection with the armed conflict on the territory of the country. Available at: https://www.gov.pl/web/udsc-en/the-law-on-assistance-to-ukrainian-citizens-in-connection-with-the-armed-conflict-on-the-territory-of-the-country-has-entered-into-force (Access 25.06.2023).
Parasecoli, F. (2022) Gastronativism: Food, Identity, Politics. New York: Columbia University Press, pp. 1–30.
Parasecoli, F. (2022) Vodka and Pierogi. Gastronativism During Putin’s War. Available at: https://fabioparasecoli.com/gastronativism-food-as-an-ideological-tool-in-a-globalized-world/ (Access 27.06.2023).
Polish Humanitarian Action (2022) Information Centre on Aid to War Victims in Ukraine. Available at: https://www.pah.org.pl/en/centrum-info-ua/ (Access 27.06.2023).
Polityuk, P., Florkiewicz, P. and Perun, A. (2023) Ukraine Grain Import Bans Mount as Kyiv Seeks Transit Deal. Reuters 17.04.2023. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-seeks-reopening-food-transit-via-poland-talks-2023-04-17/ (Access 26.06.2023).
Przyborska, K. (2022) „Obywatel, konsument i Leroy Kremlin”, Krytyka Polityczna 20.05.2022. Available at: https://krytykapolityczna.pl/kraj/leroy-kremlin-bojkot-konsumencki-w-polsce/ (Access 26.06.2023).
Ptak-Iglewska, A. (2022) „Trzeba jedzenia dla miliona uchodźców. Czas na rozwiązania systemowe”, Rzeczpospolita. 8.03.2022. Available at: https://www.rp.pl/biznes/art35828941-trzeba-jedzenia-dla-miliona-uchodzcow-czas-na-rozwiazanie-systemowe (Access 26.06.2023).
Sieradzka, M. (2023) “Poland-Ukraine: Solidarity with Refugees, Fear of Russia”, Die Welt. 22.02.2023. Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/poland-ukraine-solidarity-with-refugees-fear-of-russia/a-64763075 (Access 26.06.2023).
Ścisłowska, M. and Toshkov, V. (2023) Ukrainian Grain Infl ow Triggers Protest in Poland, Bulgaria. AP News. 29.03.2023. Available at: https://apnews.com/article/war-ukraine-grain-russia-poland-bulgaria-protest-906f712ccc01543a7a33d76c79882cc4 9 (Access 26.06.2023).
UN (United Nations) (2022) Activities of Secretary-General in Ukraine With Stopovers in Poland, 26–29 April. Available at: https://press.un.org/en/2022/sgt3310.doc.htm (Access 26.06.2023).
Urząd Miejski w Dąbrowie Tarnowskiej. (2022) Komunikat Burmistrza Dąbrowy Tarnowskiej. Available at: http://www.dabrowatar.pl/komunikat-burmistrza-dabrowy-tarnowskiej-2/ (Access 26.06.2023).
Webber, A. (2022) “Ukrainians in Wrocław Turn Humble Pelmeni Dumplings Into Fund-Raising Weapon”, The First News. 3.03.2022. Available at: https://www.thefi rstnews.com/article/ukrainians-in-wroclaw-turn-humble-pelmeni-dumplings-into-fund-raising-weapon-28407 (Access 26.06.2023).
Wieczorek, Ł. (2022) Musztarda nie rosyjska, a ostra. Pierogi nie ruskie, tylko ukraińskie. Firmy zmieniają nazwy produktów. TVN 24. 13.04.2022. Available at: https://tvn24.pl/polska/fi rmy-zmieniaja-nazwy-produktow-w-zwiazku-z-rosyjska-inwazja-na-ukraine-5672796 (Access 26.06.2023).
Zawadzka-Paluektau, N. (2023) “Ukrainian Refugees in Polish Press”, SAGE Journals, Discourse & Communication. Vol. 17(1). DOI:10.1177/17504813221111636.
Zharova, L.V. (2023) Ukrainian Women in Poland After February 24 – What Consequences for the Country’s Economy? Institute of New Europe. 21.03.2023. Available at: https://ine.org.pl/en/ukrainian-women-in-poland-after-february-24-what-consequences-for-the-countrys-economy-2/ (Access 27.06.2023).
Zralek, J. (2022) “Consumer Boycotts in the Time of War Crisis: An Efficient Citizenship Strategy or a Temporary Spurt of Solidarity”, Journal of Vincentian Social Action. Vol. 6(2), pp. 70–87.
DOI: 10.33067/SE.4.2023.9
Language: English
Pages: 153-171
How to Cite:
Harvard
Jastrzębiec-Witowska, A. (2023) "Food Solidarity Battles: The Case of Poland After the Russian Aggression on Ukraine". Studia Europejskie – Studies in European Affairs, 4/2023, pp. 153-171. DOI: 10.33067/SE.4.2023.9