scholarly journals Engaging with Artificial Intelligence (AI) with a Bottom-Up Approach for the Purpose of Sustainability: Victorian Farmers Market Association, Melbourne Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 9314
Author(s):  
Stéphanie Camaréna
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Related Services ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Mitigate Climate Change

Artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting all aspects of food systems, including production, food processing, distribution, and consumption. AI, if implemented ethically for sustainability, can enhance biodiversity, conserve water and energy resources, provide land-related services, power smart cities, and help mitigate climate change. However, there are significant issues in using AI to transition to sustainable food systems. AI’s own carbon footprint could cancel out any sustainability benefits that it creates. Additionally, the technology could further entrench inequalities between and within countries, and bias against minorities or less powerful groups. This paper draws on findings from a study of the Victorian Farmers’ Markets Association (VFMA) that investigated the complexity of designing AI tools to enhance sustainability and resilience for the benefit of the organisation and its members. Codesign workshops, both synchronous and asynchronous, semi-structured interviews, and design innovation methods led the VFMA to experiment with an AI tool to link sustainable soil practices, nutrient rich produce, and human health. The analysis shows that the codesign process and an agile approach created a co-learning environment where sustainability and ethical questions could be considered iteratively within transdisciplinary engagement. The bottom-up approach developed through this study supports organisations who want to engage with AI while reinforcing fairness, transparency, and sustainability.

scholarly journals “My coupons are like gold”: experiences and perceived outcomes of low-income adults participating in the British Columbia Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-30
Author(s):  
Stéphanie Caron-Roy ◽  
Sayeeda Amber Sayed ◽  
Katrina Milaney ◽  
Bonnie Lashewicz ◽  
Sharlette Dunn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Qualitative Description ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Program Outcomes ◽  
Farmers Market

ABSTRACT Objective: The British Columbia Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program (FMNCP) provides low-income households with coupons valued at $21/week for 16 weeks to purchase healthy foods in farmers’ markets. Our objective was to explore FMNCP participants’ experiences of accessing nutritious foods, and perceived program outcomes. Design: This study used qualitative description methodology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with FMNCP participants during the 2019 farmers’ market season. Directed content analysis was used to analyse the data whereby the five domains of Freedman et al’s framework of nutritious food access provided the basis for an initial coding scheme. Data that did not fit within the framework’s domains were coded inductively. Setting: One urban and two rural communities in British Columbia, Canada. Participants: 28 adults who were participating in the FMNCP. Results: Three themes emerged: Autonomy and Dignity; Social Connections and Community Building; and Environmental and Programmatic Constraints. Firstly, the program promoted a sense of autonomy and dignity through financial support, increased access to high-quality produce, food-related education and skill development, and mitigating stigma and shame. Secondly, shopping in farmers’ markets increased social connections and fostered a sense of community. Finally, participants experienced limited food variety in rural farmers’ markets, lack of transportation, and challenges with redeeming coupons. Conclusions: Participation in the FMNCP facilitated access to nutritious foods and enhanced participants’ diet quality, well-being and health. Strategies such as increasing the amount and duration of subsidies, and expanding programs may help improve participants’ experiences and outcomes of farmers’ market food subsidy programs.

scholarly journals Exploring producers' motivations and challenges within a farmers' market

2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (7) ◽  
pp. 2089-2103
Author(s):  
Rosario Michel-Villarreal ◽  
Eliseo Luis Vilalta-Perdomo ◽  
Martin Hingley
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Short Food Supply Chains

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore food producers' motivations and challenges whilst participating in short food supply chains (SFSCs). This paper compares findings with previous literature and investigates the topic in the context of producers' motivations.Design/methodology/approachThe paper includes a literature review concerning producers' motivations to engage in SFSCs. A case study was designed to investigate motivations underlying producers' engagement in SFSCs, as well as the challenges that they face. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in a farmers' market located in Mexico. Thematic analysis is used to identify the principal issues for producers'. Propositions based on findings are presented.FindingsFindings suggest that small, large, part-time and full-time producers are willing to engage with farmers' markets for diverse primary economic and non-economic motivations. Individual and collective challenges were also identified.Originality/valueThis research helps to explain producers' motivations and challenges within SFSCs in an under-researched context, namely a focus on producers' and in the Global South.

Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence for sustainable food systems

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans J.P. Marvin ◽  
Yamine Bouzembrak ◽  
H.J. van der Fels-Klerx ◽  
Corné Kempenaar ◽  
Roel Veerkamp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Sustainable Food Systems ◽  
Sustainable Food

scholarly journals Virtual barriers: unpacking the sustainability implications of online food spaces and the Yellowknife Farmers Market’s response to COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Josalyn Radcliffe ◽  
Kelly Skinner ◽  
Andrew Spring ◽  
Lise Picard ◽  
France Benoit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food System ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Online Markets ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Local Food System ◽  
Sustainable Food System

Abstract Background Through their support of local agriculture, relationships, and healthy diets, farmers markets can contribute to a sustainable food system. Markets like the Yellowknife Farmers Market (YKFM) are social spaces that support local food, yet the COVID-19 pandemic has forced changes to their current model. We explore the potential of online marketplaces to contribute to a resilient, sustainable food system through a case study of the YKFM. Methods In 2019, a collaborative mixed-method evaluation was initiated by the YKFM and university partners in the Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada. The evaluation included an in-person Rapid Market Assessment dot survey and questionnaire of market patrons from two YKFM dates prior to the pandemic. Due to COVID-19, a vendor survey and interviews were deferred. Data collected from the two patron surveys, alongside researcher observations, available literature, public announcements, and informal email and phone discussions, inform the discussion. Results For the patron surveys, 59 dot survey and 31 questionnaire participants were recruited. The top motivators for attendance were eating dinner, atmosphere, and supporting local businesses, and most patrons attended as couples and spent over half of their time talking to others. The YKFM did not move online; instead, they proposed and implemented a “Shop, don’t stop” market. Informal conversations suggested the small scale of the market and technology challenges were perceived barriers to moving online. The physically-distanced market was well-attended and featured in local media. Conclusions NWT food strategies rely on farmers markets to nurture a local food system. Data suggest a potential incongruence between an online model and important market characteristics such as the event-like atmosphere. Available literature suggests online markets can support local food by facilitating purchasing and knowledge-sharing, yet they do not replicate the open-air or social experience. The decision not to move online for the YKFM reflects market patron characteristics and current food context in Yellowknife and the NWT. While online adaptation does not fit into the YKFM plan today, online markets may prove useful as a complementary strategy for future emerging stressors to enhance the resiliency of local systems.

scholarly journals A prominent role for precision composting in sustainable agriculture

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuaixiang Zhao ◽  
Susanne Schmidt ◽  
Hongjian Gao ◽  
Tingyu Li ◽  
Xinping Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Systems ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Salt Content ◽  
Content Management ◽  
Nutrient Ratios ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Annual Carbon ◽  
Mitigate Climate Change ◽  
Uncertain Outcomes

Abstract Compost use in agriculture has the potential to increase the productivity and sustainability of food systems and to mitigate climate change. But the use of diverse compost types in unsuitable biophysical conditions cause uncertain outcomes for crop yields, soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. Here, we performed a global meta-analysis with over 2000 observations to determine whether a Precision Composting Strategy (PCS) that aligns suitable composts and application methods with target crop and environment can advance sustainable food production. Eleven key predictors of compost (carbon-to-nutrient ratios, pH, salt content), management (nitrogen supply) and biophysical settings (crop type, soil texture, SOC, pH, temperature, rainfall) determined 80% of the effect on crop yield, SOC, and N2O emissions. We estimate that a PCS could increase global cereal production by 354.5 Tg annually, approximately 1.7-times Africa’s current cereal yield. We further estimate that annual Carbon sequestration could increase by 170.4 Tg Carbon, approximately 20% of the global potential of croplands. This points to a central role of PCS in current and emerging agriculture consistent with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

scholarly journals Virtual Barriers: Unpacking the Sustainability Implications of Online Food Spaces and the Yellowknife Farmers Market’s Response to COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josalyn Radcliffe ◽  
Kelly Skinner ◽  
Andrew Spring ◽  
Lise Picard ◽  
France Benoit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food System ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Online Markets ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Local Food System ◽  
Sustainable Food System

Abstract Background: Through their support of local agriculture, relationships, and healthy diets, Farmers Markets can contribute to a sustainable food system. Markets like the Yellowknife Farmers Market (YKFM) are social spaces that support local food, yet the COVID-19 pandemic has forced changes to their current model. We explore the potential of online marketplaces to contribute to a resilient, sustainable food system through a case study of the YKFM.Methods: In 2019, a collaborative mixed-method evaluation was initiated by the YKFM and university partners in the Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada. The evaluation included an in-person Rapid Market Assessment dot survey and questionnaire of market patrons from two YKFM dates prior to the pandemic. Due to COVID-19, a vendor survey and interviews were deferred. Data collected from the two patron surveys, alongside researcher observations, available literature, public announcements, and informal email and phone discussions, inform the discussion. Results: For the patron surveys, 59 dot survey and 31 questionnaire participants were recruited. The top motivators for attendance were eating dinner, atmosphere, and supporting local businesses, and most patrons attended as couples and spent over half of their time talking to others. The YKFM did not move online; instead, they proposed and implemented a “Shop, don’t stop” market. Informal conversations suggested the small scale of the market and technology challenges were perceived barriers to moving online. The physically-distanced market was well-attended and featured in local media. Conclusions: NWT food strategies rely on Farmers Markets to nurture a local food system. Data suggests a potential incongruence between an online model and important market characteristics such as the event-like atmosphere. Available literature suggests online markets can support local food by facilitating purchasing and knowledge-sharing, yet they do not replicate the open-air or social experience. The decision not to move online for the YKFM reflects market patron characteristics and current food context in Yellowknife and the NWT. While online adaptation does not fit into the YKFM plan today, online markets may prove useful as a complementary strategy for future emerging stressors to enhance the resiliency of local systems.

scholarly journals Need of Technology Changes in Hospital Domains for Improved Nursing Service using Ai (Artificial Intelligence) and IoT (Internet of Things)

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 3061-3070
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Internet Of Things ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Hospital Management ◽  
Work Force ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Related Services ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Doctors And Nurses

Healthcare has come a long way with the technological upgrades that it has witnessed and embraced. Technological disrupters like automation, big data, cloud, AI, IOT, have contributed in making the healthcare domain more enhanced and efficient. In the healthcare when we focus more on hospital related services, we see that the changes have started to reflect. Considering Nursing as one of the major services, this study attempts to understand the long ranging impact of AI and IOT on nursing specifically. Nursing as a choice of work has always been looked down upon by the society. The overall work environments, pay structures have also not been conducive for the work force. Being a crucial component of the healthcare domain, the impact of AI and IOT would be more pronounced and visible on nursing in the coming years. The paper attempts to find the gaps and areas of improvement in nursing to make it more efficient. Research Methods and Approach: The paper finds relevant attributes which impact the performance of the nurses. The attributes are derived using mixed method of research and triangulation. This is planned by conducting the systematic literature review followed first by qualitative research methodology based semi structured interviews of patients and their relatives and later by interviewing the doctors and nurses, hospital management. A Systematic literature review of minimum 75 to 100 research papers from the following databases Pubmed, Ieee, ACM, Science Direct and Google Scholar was planned. For the interviews it was decided to conduct a heterogeneous quota sampling for interviewing the patients, their relatives and doctors and nurses, hospital management. Purpose of the Study: Artificial intelligence and Internet-of-Things are the most path breaking techniques today69. The paper integrates these in the hospital domain focussing only “nursing” as service. It answers the crucial research questions like ‘If AI and IOT is used as a methodology in ”nursing Services” ,visualizing the impact of AI enabled Bots in nursing, pros and cons of introducing the AI technology intervention in Nursing and to conceptualize a model for the same.

scholarly journals Conceptualizing Responsibility in Food Research and Innovation to Promote Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lada Timotijevic ◽  
Charo Elena Hodgkins ◽  
Matthew Peacock ◽  
Monique Maria Raats
Keyword(s):  
Food Systems ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Crop Breeding ◽  
Sustainable Food Systems ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Research And Innovation ◽  
Food Research ◽  
Joint Decisions

Responsibility is crucial to governance and key to achieving legitimacy within complex systems, yet there is limited attention to how it should be conceptualized within the context of food research and innovation (R&I). Understanding how diverse stakeholders in food R&I conceptualize responsibility is vital because it shapes the way problems are identified, goals are set and solutions are put in place. We report on empirical research with diverse stakeholders across Europe to understand and map the dimensions of responsibility for food R&I to support healthy and sustainable food systems. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 stakeholders working in R&I in the cutting-edge domains of: cultured meat as a substitute for livestock meat; new crop breeding of potatoes; and a new approach to obesity reduction that focuses on weight acceptance. Drawing from the empirical evidence collected, we developed a classification system that reflects various conceptualizations of stakeholders' responsibility for food R&I to support healthy and sustainable food systems. Our thematic analysis revealed four overlapping rationales of responsibility—accountability, impact, reflexivity, and responsiveness, and characterized them in terms of: who the researcher is responsible to; whether the assessments of responsibility focus on R&I processes or impact; whether responsibility implies societal engagement; and how responsibility is assessed—retrospectively or prospectively. The article provides a basis for systematic application of these criteria to the specific instances of food R&I governance and for future joint decisions, about the ways to allocate responsibilities.

scholarly journals Assessing Sustainable Food Systems Governance in EU’s Outermost Regions—The Case of the Azores in Portugal

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 3057
Author(s):  
Paola Hernández ◽  
Maria Guimarães ◽  
Maria Rivera ◽  
Emiliana Silva
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Landscape Governance ◽  
Grounded Theory Method ◽  
Sustainable Landscape

The European Union’s (EU) remote rural areas undergo unique organizational challenges to counteract geopolitical, economic, and environmental constraints and engage in a competitive global food market. A one size fits all recipe to mend specific issues has also proven inefficient and led policy-makers to acknowledge the importance of implementing sustainable landscape governance to promote rural development. This paper inquires what are the challenges and opportunities food systems must adopt in a sustainable landscape governance approach, based on a qualitative research work carried out in the Azores Region (Portugal) in 2016. Data was gathered via eleven semi-structured interviews to key stakeholders and participatory observation in six events related to the management of the Azores’ food system. A grounded theory method structured qualitatively research participants’ perceptions about the Region’s food regime. This analysis is hereby furthered according to the four criteria proposed by the sustainable landscape governance assessment method. Our results indicate the lack of coordination among actors, institutions and policies in the Azores Region could be counteracted by promoting inclusive participation and integrated knowledge to attain cohesive, sustainable, and efficient outcomes at the landscape level. The methodology has proven to be adequate and instrumental in identifying sustainable landscape governance issues in other food systems.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document