The One Planet Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) Programme as a multistakeholder platform for a systemic approach.

Author(s):  
M. M. Solon ◽  
P. Mink ◽  
S. Dernini ◽  
M. Bortoletti ◽  
J. Lomax
AGROFOR ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvana Moscatelli ◽  
Hamid El Bilali ◽  
Mauro Gamboni ◽  
Roberto Capone

One of the biggest challenges facing humanity is achieving sustainable foodsecurity in the face of population growth, resource scarcity, ecosystem degradationand climate change. Transitioning towards sustainable food systems (SFS) is amust for achieving sustainable development. This review paper highlights the needto adopt a holistic, multidimensional, interdisciplinary and systemic approach forbetter understanding food systems, which is a prerequisite for fostering transitiontowards sustainability. A better understanding of food systems meanscomprehending issues at play from ‘farm to fork’ i.e. production (crop, animal,seafood), processing, trade and distribution, and consumption. For gaining a fullawareness also cross-cutting issues such as gender, innovation and technologyshould be considered. Such a deep knowledge and consequent corrective actionsare crucial to address the multiple challenges and dysfunctions of the current globalfood system such as food insecurity, obesity, food waste, climate change,biodiversity loss, land degradation, water depletion, deforestation, marketconcentration and food heritage erosion. It is fundamental to foster transitiontowards sustainable and resilient food systems to achieve sustainable food andnutrition security for present and future generations. All dimensions (environment,economy, society and culture, nutrition and health) of food sustainability should betackled while considering policy and governance. Different food consumption andproduction models can help speeding up journey towards sustainability. Theseinclude, inter alia, organic agriculture and different alternative food systemsallowing to link consumption and production such as urban agriculture,community-supported agriculture and short food chains. While the challenge istitanic, there is a menu of options that can be jointly used to foster shift towardsSFS such as sustainable and eco-functional intensification, sustainable diets, foodloss and waste reduction. Nevertheless, a holistic and systemic approach isnecessary to develop a systems thinking for generating interdisciplinary knowledgeneeded to support transition towards sustainable food systems.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (8.1) ◽  
pp. 112-116
Author(s):  
David Zaldumbide ◽  
Javier Solano ◽  
Andreina Gonzales

The role of urban agriculture in global food security is a subject of growing debate. There are several types of research on urban and peri-urban agriculture, especially in the major cities. These studies usually consist of an analysis of cases that often have different definitions of urban and peri-urban agriculture depending on the local setting and mostly about the objectives of the study. (Thebo, et al., 2014). This lack of steadiness makes it difficult to quantify the scope of this practice on a global scale and presents a challenge for citizens, authorities and academic institutions to provide adequate structure for the transition from theory to the application of urban agriculture within cities. On the one hand, the design of policies that seek the development of regions is framed between two aspects that shape today's world: the global, as a growing economic, cultural and political integration. On the other side the local, as that trend towards Higher levels of self-determination, management, decentralization and development in communities. (Fuchs, et al., 2003). As a result, it is becoming easier for people to get involved in local politics by posing problems that directly affect neighborhoods. Local regulations become much more relevant to the daily life of a person trying to grow their food and feel that they can contribute positively to their community. On the other hand, Climate change and environmental impacts represent a real and grave threat, but there are many potential solutions to them. The present paper aims to analyze the potential of urban agriculture within our environment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 6715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agata Nicolosi ◽  
Valentina Rosa Laganà ◽  
Daniel Laven ◽  
Claudio Marcianò ◽  
Wilhelm Skoglund

International studies are dealing with the promotion of sustainable food systems more frequently. Additionally, places of purchase and sharing in the choice of food to be consumed have become a network system for families. The aim of this work is to analyse the preferences of Swedish consumers for local/artisanal cheeses and the purchase motivations that guide their choices. We also studied the role played by consumers’ favourite shopping locations (retail store, hypermarket, city market, supply chain). On the one hand, we examined the attractiveness and the power exercised by the various stores and on the other hand, we viewed the consumer in relation to the frequency of purchase, and the confidence with the sales points. We interviewed 200 people in the city of Östersund, highlighting habits, consumption preferences and reasons for purchasing. A multiple correspondence analysis explores the reasons behind the purchase preferences of the local ‘Källarlagrad getost’ artisan cheese from the Slow Food brand. The representations of social network analysis are used to show the complex articulations that influence the choices of consumers in terms of type of cheese purchased/consumed and places of purchase/consumption. The results showed that Swedish consumers, in the purchase of cheeses, have a loyalty point at the point of sale, follow the advice of the seller and are attentive to the reputation of the product. Those who buy Källarlagrad getost are sensitive to safety, appreciate artisan cheeses and choose them for their versatility, have a strong connection with the territory and wish to contribute to supporting the local economy. Knowing these characteristics and preferences of Swedish consumers living in a city in the north of the country is important for marketing activities and for promoting tourism and sustainable gastronomy.


Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 548
Author(s):  
Adanella Rossi ◽  
Mario Coscarello ◽  
Davide Biolghini

The need for a transition to sustainable food systems is widely recognised. Over the last three decades, movements have been demanding and proposing a radical transformation, foregrounding the social values of food. Experiences inspired by solidarity economy have given rise to highly innovative pathways, grounded on the redefinition of the food-related values and practices and the reconstruction of local, community-based food systems by referring to social and ecological sustainability. One can usefully draw from these experiences for identifying challenges, opportunities and benefits and for analysing the most effective modes of action leading to the creation of alternatives. Capturing and supporting this innovation is particularly important when looking at the opportunities offered by local food policies. This significantly involves the meanings, goals and forms that food governance takes on. The paper aims at investigating these aspects, reading the initiatives inspired by SE principles as an example of social innovation. Their engagement in re-signifying food in terms of “commons” and in “commoning” food systems constitutes a complementary key of analysis. Focusing on the Italian context, the paper draws on many years of qualitative research and direct involvement in these initiatives. The analysis provides useful insights about the potential for change existing in society and invites us to develop reflexivity on how local food policies capture the opportunity for a re-politicisation of food-related issues.


Author(s):  
Alexandria Brewer ◽  
Jose F. Alfaro ◽  
Tadeu Fabricio Malheiros

Abstract Aquaponics technology has recently been offered as a good option for sustainable food systems among small-scale farmers, particularly those seeking an organic production or dealing with land quality constraints, such as urban farmers. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence for the capacity of small farmers to adopt the technology. The unique requirements of aquaponics may create technical, economic and even cultural constraints and opportunities. This paper uses empirical evidence gathered with small-scale farmers in São Carlos, State of São Paulo, Brazil, to present the capacity of adoption for the technology, including possible limiting factors and incentives for farmers. The study conducted interviews with owners of ‘agriculturas familiares’ (Portuguese for small family owned farms) within 30 km of São Carlos. The interviews revealed that there is widespread interest in the potential profitability of aquaponics systems, significant interest in environmentally friendly practices, familiarity with organic production and hydroponics and a large base of agricultural knowledge in the community that can drive adoption. However, lack of initial financing, limited human power and concerns about product placement were significant barriers to adoption. For settlement farmers (those working on land formerly abandoned) poor soil quality and water scarcity are key issues that could be alleviated by the technology. The city of Sao Carlos present program for purchasing specific types of products from these farms could be used as a model for increasing aquaponics adoption and relieving success concerns.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
D W Patterson ◽  
K Buse ◽  
R Magnusson ◽  
B C A Toebes

Abstract Issue Malnutrition in all its forms poses daunting challenges to global health and development. The agriculture sector is a significant contributor to global warming. COVID-19 has pushed many people into poverty, including food poverty. A radical rethink of business models, food systems, civil society involvement, and national and international governance is required to address the interlinked crises of COVID-19, obesity, undernutrition, and climate change. International human rights law, institutions and mechanisms provide important opportunities for norm setting, advocacy and accountability. Yet these pathways are under-utilised by both governments and civil society. Description The global AIDS response demonstrated the power of a human rights-based approach. United Nations' HIV/AIDS and Human Rights Guidelines greatly influenced the global consensus for effective, evidence-based approaches. The Guidelines also informed resolutions of the UN General Assembly and its Human Rights Council, contributing to more affordable medicines, an unprecedented increase in people on treatment, less stigmatising health services, the empowerment of marginalised groups, and the institutionalisation of norms, including “no one left behind.” Human rights-based approaches have also been successfully utilised in tobacco control. Results In 2019, 180 experts from 38 countries published an open call on WHO and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to initiate an inclusive process to develop guidelines on human rights, healthy diets and sustainable food systems. Most signatories were from the health and development sectors, demonstrating the increasingly broad interest in using human rights mechanisms to address global health challenges. Lessons Opportunities exist to transform food systems and create healthier food environments and a healthier planet by clarifying existing international obligations to progressively realise the right to food and the right to health. Key messages Market forces, alone, are failing to deliver healthy diets and sustainable food systems. International legal frameworks and accountability mechanisms provide opportunities for engagement and action. Human rights guidelines can help mobilize multisectoral action, strengthen State and private sector accountability, and deepen community engagement in the urgent task of achieving Agenda 2030.


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