Characterisation of food governance for alternative and sustainable food systems: a systematic review

Abstract

Despite the various studies on food governance structured around alternative food systems (AFS), analysis of the essential characteristics of it which facilitate the sustainability of the food system (FS) is still incipient. This study aims to clarify the debate on the role of governance in sustainability of the FS by way of the following two objectives: (i) to characterise the analytical approach of the literature in the processes of structuring of food governance related to AFS, and (ii) to reflect qualitatively on the essential factors to be considered which ensure sustainable processes and trajectories of the AFS. The research methodology is based on a systematic review of the literature in order to define the approaches identified in the relevant studies in their analysis of the food governance process. From the results, a conceptual framework is proposed that determines the strategies related to food governance which can help meet the challenges of the AFS. A multi-actor and multilevel governance is identified that takes into account both structural and variable aspects linked to the interdependent relationships that are involved in the construction processes of the alternative food networks (AFN). We conclude our study by identifying certain gaps in the knowledge as well as new lines of study that we deem necessary in order to consolidate the AFS from a vision of sustainability.

A Scoping Review of Food Systems Governance Frameworks and Models to Develop a Typology for Social Change Movements to Transform Food Systems for People and Planetary Health

“…Several models and frameworks were designed to identify and analyze actors involved in food systems governance interactions and processes [81,83,85,88,92,98,100,101]. Some were developed as tools to improve or enhance agri-food value chains [82,106], promote sustainable food enterprises and entrepreneurship [91,103,108], support food finance architecture that incorporates health, environmental, and societal concerns into financial decision-making; and strengthen economic development and stability for food systems governance [113,114] (Supplemental Table S1).…”

“…Fifteen sources discussed multistakeholder governance, of which five sources described shared collaborative governance models [83,90,96,98,99], and two sources discussed co-governance models [83,101]. Clark et al (2021) described a governance engagement continuum 2.0 model [83], adapted from the corporate food regime and food movements framework developed by Holt Giménez and Shattuck 2011 [89] and Andrée et al (2019) [13], which discussed three forms of governance (i.e., multi-stakeholder, co-governance, and self-governance) to show how social movement organizations could create new deliberative governance spaces through convening to change power dynamics.…”

“…Multi-level (n = 28)[81][82][83][84][85][86]88,89,92,93,95,96,98,99,102,[104][105][106][107][108][109][110][111][112][113][114][115] Regional (n = 1)[100] National (n = 5)[87,91,101,103,116] Local (n = 2)[90,94] …”

Framework for a Holistic Assessment of the Quality of Agri-Food Governance in Bulgaria

“…Nevertheless, several recent reviews on the governance of agri-food systems showed that it is under-researched, and there are multiple issues in the research in this area [1,13,15,21,25,26]. Still, there is no common approach for defining the content and components of a governance system, and an acceptable framework for a comprehensive assessment of the governance is lacking.…”

Sausage technology for food sustainability: recipe, color, nutrition, structure

“…Food security, when viewed from a global perspective, encompasses both the sustainable production of high-qual-the planet's population [10]. Despite various food management studies structured around alternative food systems, analysis of the main characteristics that contribute to food system sustainability has not yet been comprehensively explored [11]. Food systems include the production, transportation, processing, and consumption of food, including food loss and waste.…”