Growing and Eating Food during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Farmers’ Perspectives on Local Food System Resilience to Shocks in Southern Africa and Indonesia

The COVID-19 outbreak forced governments to make decisions that had adverse effects on local food systems and supply chains. As a result, many small-scale food producers faced difficulties growing, harvesting, and selling their goods. This participatory research examines local small-scale farmers’ challenges as farmers but also as consumers and their coping strategies during the month of April and one week in June 2020. The study was initiated and conceptualized in collaboration with small-scale farmer members of an existing research network in selected urban and rural areas in South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Indonesia. Participants co-designed the research, collected and uploaded data through digital survey tools, and contributed to data analysis and interpretation. A common observation across regions is that the measures imposed in response to COVID-19 highlighted and partly exacerbated existing socio-economic inequalities among food system actors. Strict lockdowns in Cape Town, South Africa, and Masvingo, Zimbabwe, significantly restricted the production capacity of small-scale farmers in the informal economy and created more food insecurity for them. In Maputo, Mozambique, and Toraja and Java, Indonesia, local food systems continued to operate and were even strengthened by higher social capital and adaptive capacities.

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Practicing Fair and Sustainable Local Food Systems: Elements of Food Citizenship in the Simeto River Valley

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11010056 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 56

Author(s):

Gina Rico Mendez ◽

Giusy Pappalardo ◽

Bryan Farrell

Keyword(s):

Action Research ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Food Systems ◽

Food System ◽

Local Food ◽

Governance Structure ◽

Shared Vision ◽

River Valley ◽

Local Food Systems ◽

Food Citizenship

This paper examines a community-based food system which emerged recently around the Simeto River Valley Agreement (SRA) in Sicily (Italy) through the lens of food citizenship. The concept of food citizenship develops an understanding of how food systems function to ensure that individuals and communities have agency, access, and engagement with their food. It allows for comparative analysis between global/industrial and community/alternative systems. This paper follows a methodological integration between action research and a case study approach. The action research process produced a networked governance structure derived from multiple initiatives which are currently initiating many thematic projects—amongst them, a local food system. Results indicate that formalizing governance structures derived from self-organizing behavior have led to an inclusive platform with a shared vision and goals. The governing structures, however, require continued efforts and capacity to engage collaboratively in implementing their strategic plans. Findings suggest that actors developing a food citizenship-focused system should (1) consider how the governance organizational structure enables fluid communication among members and leads to building trust, (2) seek alternatives to engage youth (especially in rural areas) and promote citizen engagement, and (3) develop strategies to seek technical and programmatic support for initiatives. These three aspects are key features which may be adapted to other such efforts in sustainable and local food systems. The complex networked approach to governance presented here and the shared vision for sustainability are considered key elements in fostering a successful alternative food system with the fundamentals of food citizenship at its core.

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Where do "localphiles" shop?: A mixed-methods case study of food-buying habits

Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development ◽

10.5304/jafscd.2021.102.023 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-20

Author(s):

Emily McKee

Keyword(s):

Food Systems ◽

Food System ◽

Local Food ◽

Small Scale ◽

Regional Food ◽

Mixed Methods Case Study ◽

Regional Food Systems ◽

Attitude Behavior ◽

Small Scale Farmers

Why, with local food’s rising popularity, do small-scale farmers report declining sales? This study used a mix of survey and interview methods to examine the priorities and buying habits of food shoppers in one midsized, lower-income metropolitan area of the U.S. Midwest. The study focuses on individual consumers’ decision-making because it aims to be useful, in particular, to small-scale farmers and advocates of their participation in local and regional food systems. Among shoppers’ stated priorities, the survey found broad support for local food and relatively low competition between price and local origin as purchasing priorities. However, findings also show an attitude-behavior gap, with only a limited increase in tendency among self-defined “local” shoppers to purchase from locally oriented venues. As explanation for this attitude-behavior gap, survey and interview data point to differential definitions of “local food” and situational barriers (primarily inconvenience and lack of variety) preventing shoppers from buying local food. One factor offsetting these barriers was past experience growing one’s own food. Study findings are used to identify particular avenues for intervention by farmers, eaters, and other food systems builders to broaden access to local food through adjustments to marketing strategies, better alignment of wholesale outlets’ practices with the priorities of farmers and eaters, and improved public education about the food system.

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Local food systems and their development in Latvia

Management Theory and Studies for Rural Business and Infrastructure Development ◽

10.15544/mts.2014.055 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 588-598

Author(s):

Ligita Melece

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Food Systems ◽

Food System ◽

Social Issues ◽

Local Food ◽

Local Food Systems ◽

Environmental Implications ◽

Suitable Tool

The issues related to local food systems and their wider social, cultural, economic and environmental implications have flourished amongst scholars and policymakers over the last decades. The hypothesis of study, which this paper is based upon, is that local (alternative) agrifood or food systems will be a suitable tool for further development of sustainable agrifood sector, as well as development of rural communities and rural areas. The tasks of study are: to clarify the concept of local food systems; to investigate the food system relationship with further sustainable development of rural communities; and to review initiatives and activities for developing the local food systems in Latvia. The used research methods are mainly qualitative: analysis and synthesis, logical and abstract constructive and expert, etc. Although there is no consensus among scholars regarding the definition of the local food system, nevertheless, the local food systems or alternative food networks are no less important and suitable tool for solving environmental, economical (farmers’ and rural inhabitants’ income increasing) and social issues, and they facilitate further sustainable development of rural areas and communities. Some activities and projects as examples of development and implementation of local food systems in Latvia are explained and results of projects’ implementation are given, for example: Project “Local Identity Product” Project „Local Products Development in Middle Baltics”; Project “Marketing Campaign for Development of Rural Tourism Products in all Regions of Latvia and their Promotion” etc.

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Framing a Sustainable Local Food System—How Smaller Cities in Southern Germany Are Facing a New Policy Issue

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11061712 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1712 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jana Baldy

Keyword(s):

Food Systems ◽

Food System ◽

Local Food ◽

Local Level ◽

Policy Issue ◽

Local Food Systems ◽

System Transformation ◽

Agenda 21 ◽

Southern Germany ◽

Local Food System

Since Agenda 21, the local level has become important in terms of facing global challenges through local action. One of these is ensuring the sustainability of the food system. In German politics, this is a relatively new issue even at the local level. Nevertheless, two smaller cities in southern Germany have decided to change their local food systems towards sustainability. Hence, this paper deals with questions of how local actors are framing the food system and what this means for increasing sustainability. The analysis of qualitative interviews and participant observations based on frame analysis provides deeper insights into understandings of local food systems by actors. This paper aims to explore how framings of problems, solutions and motivations provide or restrict opportunities to increase local food system sustainability. Terms like sustainability or awareness are framed differently. Using the same term to mean different things can have negative effects on the acceptance of policymaking referring to food system transformation. Besides, this paper shows that omissions within the framing counteract the development of sustainable local food policy. Hence, it is important to reflect the political implications of absent framings as well to facilitate mutual understanding and consequently, food system change.

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“No money exchanged hands, no bartering took place. But it's still local produce”: Understanding local food systems in rural areas in the U.S. Heartland

Journal of Rural Studies ◽

10.1016/j.jrurstud.2020.07.005 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 78 ◽

pp. 480-490

Author(s):

Mary K. Hendrickson ◽

Sarah Hultine Massengale ◽

Randolph Cantrell

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Food Systems ◽

Local Food ◽

Local Food Systems ◽

The U.S

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Are Local Food Systems Vectors of Sustainable Choices?

Economic Insights – Trends and Challenges ◽

10.51865/eitc.2021.03.07 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 (3) ◽

pp. 73-82

Author(s):

Corina Ene ◽

Keyword(s):

Food Systems ◽

Food System ◽

Systems Approach ◽

Local Food ◽

Special Kind ◽

Local Food Systems ◽

Determining Factors ◽

Nutritional Needs ◽

Global And Local ◽

The Way

In the last few years, but even more so given the context the COVID-19 pandemic, a large series of global and local changes have occurred in all areas of life, including the way food is perceived and procured. The orientation towards local food as a preferred choice has gained more followers which are interested in economic, social and environmental effects of the way the world uses all kinds of resources to meet its nutritional needs. Local food involves a special kind of food systems approach in terms of determining factors and resulting implications for all actors involved. The paper deals with emphasizing different aspects of local food systems, including both agri-food producers and consumer’s drivers together with the effects of rethinking the way people choose to procure their food. The link to sustainable development is clearly highlighted using the multiple implications of this agri-food system upon different sectors and dimensions.

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Small-scale Farming and Access to Market: Challenges and Opportunities in South Africa

Journal La Sociale ◽

10.37899/journal-la-sociale.v2i5.491 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (5) ◽

pp. 50-63

Author(s):

Confidence Ndlovu ◽

Mandla Masuku

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Food Security ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Household Income ◽

Crop Production ◽

Arable Land ◽

Policy Formulation ◽

Small Scale ◽

Limited Access ◽

Small Scale Farmers

The paper has aimed to explore the effectiveness of small-scale farmers in improving household income and food security, particularly looking at the barriers to market access in rural areas. This study was undertaken in rural areas of Kanyamazane, Clau-Clau and Nyongane, South Africa, where small-scale producers depend on low-risk and low-return markets to generate household income from production, thus ensuring food security. To achieve the aim of this study, a qualitative approach was used to provide in-depth interpretation of the perspectives, experiences, and behavioural patterns of the small-scale farmers faced with market related issues. Small-scale farmers, agricultural extension officers, and municipal officials were purposefully selected to share their views, perceptions, and experiences on the effectiveness in accessing markets. The findings revealed that there was limited access to formal markets by small-scale farmers because of limited knowledge and capacity to meet market requirements. The study confirmed that a lack of marketing skills, institutional support services, and limited access to arable land, have directly negative effects on achieving livelihood outcomes. This study recommends a sustainable crop production method which reduces the costs of farming resources, such as pesticide and fertilizer, through organic methods to ensure food safety and enhanced nutrient quality. This study further encourages inclusive rural development, where small-scale producers are treated as stakeholders in agricultural policy formulation to enable access to financial resources and increase in production through the formation of cooperatives.

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Alternative Local Food Shopping Communities in Hungary

Zeszyty Naukowe SGGW w Warszawie - Problemy Rolnictwa Światowego ◽

10.22630/prs.2019.19.2.19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19(34) (2) ◽

pp. 7-21

Author(s):

Izabella Bakos ◽

Anikó Khademi-Vidra

Keyword(s):

Food Systems ◽

Consumer Behaviour ◽

Local Food ◽

Close Correlation ◽

Retail Trade ◽

Local Food Systems ◽

Small Scale ◽

Food Shopping ◽

Two Samples ◽

Significant Difference

As a result of concerns about the long-term sustainability of globalized retail trade and the stronger presence of health conscious consumer behaviour, governments and groups of conscious consumers worldwide are increasingly focusing on the promotion and development of local food systems and small-scale retail chains and the production of quality local food products to promote the market. In our paper, we would like to give an overview of community-led alternative types of local food systems, with particular attention to shopping community-type consumer and consumer communities. We also describe the main results of our primary research in the population and the shopping community. During the questionnaire we revealed general consumer behaviour and the demand and attitude of local food, the popularity of the customer communities in the settlement of the respondents. In the survey conducted among members of the consumer community, we looked at the analytical areas designated as a target in the population questionnaire for the purpose of comparability and our aim was to explore the sociometrics and lifestyles of communities as well as their community experiences and possible developments. Our hypothesis is that there is a close correlation between the respondents with higher education and income and the preferences of local food. Furthermore, it is assumed that there is a significant difference between the food consumption behaviors of the two samples examined.

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A REPLICABLE MODEL FOR VALUING LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS

Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics ◽

10.1017/aae.2015.19 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 441-461 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

STEVEN R. MILLER ◽

JOHN MANN ◽

JUDITH BARRY ◽

TOM KALCHIK ◽

RICH PIROG ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Simulation Model ◽

Food Systems ◽

Food System ◽

Local Food ◽

Economic Value ◽

Local Food Systems ◽

Processed Foods ◽

Local Food System ◽

Economic Contribution ◽

Consistent Approach

AbstractWe use the underlying data of the IMPLAN Pro 3.0 regional economic simulation model to estimate the current economic contribution of Michigan's local food system and explore the chain of transactions giving rise to consumption of locally sourced goods from producer to processor to consumption. The proposed methodology includes both unprocessed and processed foods in the estimation of the local food system's economic value. The model also provides a replicable and consistent approach to estimating the value of local food systems within regional and state economies.

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