Do Local Food Networks Foster Socio-Ecological Transitions towards Food Sovereignty? Learning from Real Place Experiences

Abstract

Drawing on transition theory, we conceptualize local food networks as innovations that initially function and develop in local niches within a given food regime. As niche-innovations local food networks induce socio-ecological changes on the local level and they have the potential to foster wider transformations of the dominant food regime. Many local food networks adopt the concept of food sovereignty as a kind of "leitmotif". At the core of this concept lies the question of how to create an agro-food system that, (i) allows for democratic participation and civic engagement in food production, and (ii) sets up new relationships that avoid social inequity and the exploitation of both humans and nature. In this paper we shed light on how the Austrian local food network "SpeiseLokal" addresses the challenge of operationalizing the concept of food sovereignty. The case study captures the strategies which local food networks embark on and depicts the difficulties they encounter. The paper aims to identify critical points of intersection that either strengthen or constrain local food networks from becoming established, operating, and up-scaling in the ways they wish; that is, in accordance with the principles and aims of food sovereignty, while avoiding a later assimilation into the dominant food regime.

Effects of consumer-producer interactions in alternative food networks on consumers’ learning about food and agriculture

“…Often-described effects are learning about cooking, eating and meal planning, also to avoid food waste (Andreatta et al, 2008;J. N. Cohen et al, 2012;Gorland, 2002;Hayden and Buck, 2012;Lutz and Schachinger, 2013). In addition, we find only few other learning fields, e.g.…”

“…N. Cohen et al, 2012;Gorland, 2002;Hayden and Buck, 2012;Lamine, 2015;Lutz and Schachinger, 2013;Macias, 2008;Vogl et al, 2004). Often-described effects are learning about cooking, eating and meal planning, also to avoid food waste (Andreatta et al, 2008;J.…”

Scaling up and out as a Pathway for Food System Transitions

“…A number of frameworks, or pathways, have achieved prominence including those concerned with organizational management, social movements and technological innovations [23]. Such ideas have been applied to food system innovations, with Geels' [24] multilevel perspective model particularly popular, e.g., [2,9,10,25]. This regards transitions as a result of interaction between regime, landscape and niche.…”

Farmer Cooperation as a Means for Creating Local Food Systems—Potentials and Challenges

“…Both groups argue that a sustainable food system requires deep socio-economic change. New ways of organising food supply chains that promote small farms, which apply organic and agro-ecological farming methods, as well as small-scale, locally organised systems of food distribution are needed [9][10][11][12][13]. The shared objective is to establish and strengthen local, regional and national food networks that are able to provide healthy, affordable, ecologically sound and culturally diverse foods.…”