Exploring the contribution of alternative food networks to food security. A comparative analysis

Cerrada-Serra, Pedro; Moragues‐Faus, Ana; Zwart, Tjitske Anna; Adlerova, Barbora; Ortiz-Miranda, Dionisio; Avermaete, Tessa

doi:10.1007/s12571-018-0860-x

Cited by 34 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…In view of the foregoing, they turn into attractive spaces for the consumption of local quality foods, ecological and from fair trade (Cerrada-Serra et al, 2018;Calo et al, 2012;Goodman et al, 2012;Veen et al, 2012;Goodman and Goodman, 2009), attracting attention from certain groups of consumers who have other sorts of demands (Gómez Cruz et al, 2003). In this work, we found four groups with specific general characteristics and distinct reasons that differentiate them from conventional consumers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Motivations to consume ecological foods in alternative food networks (AFNs) in Southern Spain

Escobar‐López

Espinoza‐Ortega

Lozano-Cabedo

et al. 2019

BFJ

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the motivations to consume ecological foods in alternative food networks (AFNs). Design/methodology/approach In total, 150 questionnaires were applied; the questionnaire was adapted from Food Choice Questionnaire (Steptoe et al., 1995). Data were analyzed by means of multivariate statistics with factor and cluster analysis. In order to identify statistical differences (p<0.05), Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney nonparametric tests were performed. Findings Ten factors or motivations were found: social ecological concern, nutritional content, sensory aspects, certifications, naturalness, specialized consumption, trust in the seller, economic aspects, health and availability. Four groups were obtained and called: citizen consumers, in-process citizen consumers, conscious social consumers with no interest in certifications and conscious pragmatic consumers. It is concluded that differentiated consumers visit these establishments and their motivations are diverse, albeit they concur, to a varying extent, with the objectives of AFNs, finding a mixture of hedonic and ethical motivations. Practical implications This sort of works about specific places of consumption as well as specific consumers, in this case ecological, contributes to the development of future social research on other contexts, different consumers and products. Originality/value This sort of research has been carried out in various European cities, with a number of foods and over various sales channels; however, at present there is a debate around AFNs and the veracity of their goals. This way, the present work can contribute with an answer to whether the goals match the motivations of consumers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Motivations to consume ecological foods in alternative food networks (AFNs) in Southern Spain

Escobar‐López

Espinoza‐Ortega

Lozano-Cabedo

et al. 2019

BFJ

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“…Over time, they have expanded and use the network to impact policy-making. However, receiving public funding sometimes gets in conflict with their lobbying and activist activities (Cerrada-Serra et al, 2018).…”

Section: Rikoltomentioning

confidence: 99%

Innovative Multi-Actor Collaborations as Collective Actors and Institutionalized Spaces. The Case of Food Governance Transformation in Leuven (Belgium)

Medina-García

Nagarajan

Castillo-Vysokolan

et al. 2022

Front. Sustain. Food Syst.

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The sustainable transformation of food systems is a particularly prolific field in which innovative multi-actor collaborations (IMACs) are being tested. Despite the growing literature on food governance and transformation of food systems, and on the principles of alternative food networks and local food strategies, little is known about how these are implemented and how multi-actor networks are coordinated and governed. Taking food as a lens, our objectives are to identify (1) how IMACs are established, (2) how collaboration is enacted within them, and (3) how governance innovations in these fields affect and are affected by broader urban governance innovation. Methodologically, we take a transdisciplinary action research approach, combining different groups of researchers with stakeholders involved in two on-going and interacting IMAC trajectories in Leuven (Belgium), i.e., the non-profit governmental organization Leuven2030 aiming to achieve climate-neutrality and the parallel collective development and implementation of the local food strategy “Food Connects.” After reconstructing the trajectory of these IMACs from a governance perspective and discussing their current limitations, we realize that these IMACs perform both as collective actors and as institutionalized spaces for experimentation and transformative change. Our findings demonstrate that IMACs can be an empowering tool for local actors to challenge supra-local and systemic power imbalance and injustice; that networking and supra-local connections of urban actors can increase the legitimacy and outreach of transition processes, mobilization of resources and peer-learning; and that the consolidation of IMACs builds on previous sedimentations of experimentation and benefits from the impulse of political will in specific windows of opportunity. We conclude that the institutionalization of common objectives set within IMACs requires a parallel institutionalization of governance structures that enabled reaching them, which entails defining specific roles and responsibilities among actors and ensuring stable spaces for conflict, deliberation, and negotiation.

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“…soils, crops, livestock, humans). Such alternative food systems/networks adopt a holistic approach to food production and strive to connect consumption and production (Cerrada-Serra et al 2018;Jarosz 2008) by, among others, promoting short food supply chains (Chiffoleau et al 2016). These alternative approaches include food sovereignty and agroecology (Levidow 2015;Lutz and Schachinger 2013).…”

Section: Food Securitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Research on agro-food sustainability transitions: where are food security and nutrition?

Bilali

2019

Food Sec.

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The main outcome of sustainable agro-food systems is food and nutrition security. Nevertheless, about half of the global population is affected by food insecurity and malnutrition, a symptom of the dysfunctions of the current food system. This paper provides a review of the state of research on the sustainability of agro-food transitions, and the extent to which and in what ways such research examines food and nutrition security. A search carried out on Scopus in January 2018 yielded 771 documents; 120 of these were included in the systematic review. Agro-food represents a small share of the sustainability transitions research field. Most of the available research focuses on crops and the production stage. In general, it is assumed that a transition to sustainability in the agro-food arena would lead to increased food availability, improved food access, better food utilisation and increased food system stability and resilience. However, scholars also point out that the quest for food security (especially through intensification) may undermine transition towards sustainable agriculture and food systems. Likewise, it is assumed that a transition towards sustainable food systems implies changes in dietary patterns and nutrition habits. Nevertheless, food security and nutrition are still marginal topics in the literature on agro-food sustainability transitions. Furthermore, transformation of food systems, which should guide agro-food sustainability transitions, is the exception rather than the rule in the research field. This systematic review represents a useful contribution to research on transitions towards sustainability in agriculture and food sectors, and provides insights into how such research can contribute to addressing the grand challenges of food insecurity and malnutrition. The paper suggests the need to move beyond silos by fostering cross-sectoral collaboration and the integration of the agro-food sustainability transitions and food security research fields.

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Exploring the contribution of alternative food networks to food security. A comparative analysis

Cited by 34 publications

References 39 publications

Motivations to consume ecological foods in alternative food networks (AFNs) in Southern Spain

Motivations to consume ecological foods in alternative food networks (AFNs) in Southern Spain

Innovative Multi-Actor Collaborations as Collective Actors and Institutionalized Spaces. The Case of Food Governance Transformation in Leuven (Belgium)

Research on agro-food sustainability transitions: where are food security and nutrition?

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