scholarly journals Are Local Food Systems Vectors of Sustainable Choices?

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.

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

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1712 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals A REPLICABLE MODEL FOR VALUING LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS

2015 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-461 ◽  
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.

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

Agriculture ◽  
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.

scholarly journals A collaborative approach to COVID-19 response: The Center for Environmental Farming Systems community-based food system initiatives

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Shorlette Ammons ◽  
Sarah Blacklin ◽  
Dara Bloom ◽  
Shironda Brown ◽  
Marcello Cappellazzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Food Policy ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Local Food Systems ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Partners ◽  
Racial Lines ◽  
Structural Inequities

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) has spent the past two decades developing local food systems to support communities and increase resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how existing structural inequities, primarily along racial lines, are exacerbated. It has also shown the value of community-based food systems work that helps communities network, sharing valuable resources and funding to respond to the ongoing crisis. In this article, we document how CEFS’ community-based food systems initiatives are responding to the pandemic. Some of CEFS programs are community-based, working with food policy councils, offering racial equity trainings, networking schools and early care and education sites, and supporting youth convenings and internships. Others are focused on production and supply chains for meat, seafood, and produce in order to develop stronger local food systems. Through­out the work of all of CEFS’ community-based food systems initiatives in response to the pandemic, we have learned that our past efforts have increased local food systems resilience. We also note the impor­tance of flexible funders who allowed grant dollars to be reallocated to community partners to address urgent needs. We have found that online programming has increased participation and access to resources. Finally, we have been inspired by the creativity, flexibility, and adaptability of our community partners, and we are energized to continue to support them while also offering the resources we have developed to a broader audience.

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

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 8556
Author(s):  
Nicole Paganini ◽  
Kustiwa Adinata ◽  
Nomonde Buthelezi ◽  
David Harris ◽  
Stefanie Lemke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Informal Economy ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Local Food Systems ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

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.

scholarly journals From globalism to localism: How structural economic shifts can support the local food movement

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Emily Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Economic Globalization ◽  
Local Food Systems ◽  
Local Food Movement ◽  
Structural Forces ◽  
Food Movement

Local is Our Future was published shortly before the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet it makes a timely contribution critiquing economic globalization given the experiences of 2020. It emphasizes the need for shorter supply chains and champions local food systems by focusing on the structural forces that currently control the food system.

scholarly journals THE ROLE OF SMALL FARMS IN LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS

2019 ◽  
Vol XXI (4) ◽  
pp. 600-611
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Żmija ◽  
Marta Czekaj ◽  
Dariusz Żmija
Keyword(s):  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Local Food Systems ◽  
Small Farms ◽  
Safety Control ◽  
Local Food System ◽  
Food Quality And Safety ◽  
Oriented Activity

The goal of this paper is to recognize the desired prospective role of small farms in local food systems as well as identify the directions of future-oriented activity for its implementation. The empirical data for the study was provided as a result of workshops hosted in the Rzeszowski subregion in 2019, attended by the stakeholders of the local food system. The methodology of the studies was based on the concept of foresight research, using the backcasting technique. For the purpose of formulating the visions of the desired prospective role of small farms in local food systems, the workshops participants determined their potential future roles in the subsystem of production, processing and consumption of food in the subregion, while, above all, recognizing them in reference to production, processing and providing the consumer with food of the highest quality. The aforementioned roles have been determined as being under-implemented. The recommended areas of activities for increasing the share of small farms in local food systems were identified as: legislation, institutional conditions, consultancy, financial support and farm cooperation, food quality and safety control, promotion of local food products and consumer education.

scholarly journals Contribution of periurban farming systems to local food systems: a systemic innovation perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-34
Author(s):  
Rosalia Filippini ◽  
Elisa Marraccini ◽  
Sylvie Lardon
Keyword(s):  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Local Food Systems ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Systemic Innovation ◽  
Commercial Opportunity

The debate on food security has highlighted the connection between periurban farming systems (PFS) and local food systems (LFS) for academic research. Several researchers have called for in-depth analysis of the participation and impact of farmers in LFS, and the systemic innovation perspective can provide relevant analysis of the sustainability of this agro-food system. The objective of the current study is to investigate the integration of PFS into LFS from the systemic innovation perspective, by analysing systemic failures and merits that hinder or promote the contribution of PFS to LFS for farmers and commercial actors. The case study is the LFS of the urban Pisa region in central Italy. Results show that farmers there are adapting to urban pressure, which improves the sustainability of their farming practices. At the same time, commercial actors have a commercial opportunity to include local farmers in their economic strategy. Nevertheless, individual initiatives must be coordinated to support the sustainability of both LFS and PFS. This study thus developed an innovative method to identify systemic failures and merits for farmers and commercial actors to address sustainability strategies at the territorial level.

scholarly journals What do Farmers Think about Food Value Chains?: A Phenomenological Study of Farmers in Southern Ontario

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Korzun
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Satisfaction ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Direct Marketing ◽  
Local Food Systems ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Southern Ontario ◽  
Food Value

Many claim the industrial food system has complicated the supply chain, adding a large variety of actors, such as wholesalers and distributors that result in weaker local food systems. Direct marketing has often been promoted as the best alternative. Although direct marketing is a good option for some, many farmers find it cumbersome as it is time consuming and drains resources in return for profits that are not guaranteed. Food value chains (FVCs) provide farmers with a third option. FVCs are a potential response to the increasing demand for differentiated food including food that is sourced locally, food that provides fair compensation to farmers and promotes environmental and social improvements. FVCs have been steadily increasing in Southern Ontario. Online distribution channels, food box programs, online meal kits, small and alternative retails and mobile markets have sprouted to meet the demand of local food while handling high volumes of quality food and aiming to build local food systems. Although some research has been done to demonstrate the benefits of FVCs on consumer satisfaction and on farmers economically, little qualitative research examining the motivations, opportunities and challenges of farmers participating in FVCs have been recorded. Utilizing phenomenology, in-depth interviews with farmers will identify reasons for participating in FVCs, their perceptions of opportunities and challenges as well as their opinions about FVCs generating social and environmental benefits of developing strong local food systems.

scholarly journals Advancing food democracy: The potential and limits of food policy positions in local government

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Erika Berglund ◽  
Neva Hassanein ◽  
Paul Lachapelle ◽  
Caroline Stephens
Keyword(s):  
Local Governments ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Food Policy ◽  
Local Food ◽  
The United States ◽  
Local Food Systems ◽  
System Reform ◽  
Policy Positions ◽  
Food Democracy

For several decades, food policy councils (FPCs) have led the effort to place food on local govern­ment policy agendas. While FPCs are making pro­gress in supporting local food systems, they also face institutional and organizational challenges. In recent years, a handful of cities and counties have endeavored to further food system reform with the establishment of full-time government staff posi­tions focused on food policy. As of spring 2020, there were 19 confirmed food policy positions housed in local governments across the United States. While there is considerable literature on FPCs, little research has been published regarding food policy staffing in local governments. Accordingly, this study uses original in-depth inter­views with 11 individuals in municipal or county food policy positions to understand the purpose and function of governmental food policy staff positions and their impact on local food systems. Our findings suggest that these positions help to coordinate and nurture local food programs and policies and have the potential to facilitate mean­ingful participation of individuals and groups in the community in food system reform. We discuss the potential benefits and challenges for governmental food policy positions to support food democracy, and provide the following recom­mendations for communities interested in estab­lishing or strengthening similar positions: (1) iden­tify and coordinate existing opportunities and assets, (2) foster and maintain leadership support, (3) root the work in community, (4) connect with other food policy professionals, and (5) develop a food system vision.

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