The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of traditional food work in Algeria, particularly as a means of coping with emerging crises. A lot of women have increasingly become breadwinners in Algerian households, and traditional food work has become a critical source of income and sustenance. This study examines the evolution of traditional food work in the context of the Covid-19 crisis.
Through ethnographic research and qualitative interviews, we explore the challenges faced by women food workers during the pandemic, including disruptions to supply chains, shifts in demand, and changes in consumer behavior. We also investigate the strategies and adaptations that women food workers have implemented to cope with the crisis, such as new modes of production, and collaborations with other food workers. Our study reveals that traditional food work has played a critical role in the survival of Algerian households during the Covid-19 pandemic, and that women food workers have been at the forefront of these efforts.
By highlighting the contributions of women to traditional food work, our study sheds light on the gendered dimensions of food work and the need to support women food workers in times of crisis. Overall, this study contributes to a better understanding of the intersection of food work, gender, and crisis in Algeria, and provides insights into how traditional food work can be leveraged as a tool for resilience and sustainability.
