The Governance Features of Social Enterprise and Social Network Activities of Collective Food Buying Groups

Dedeurwaerdere, Tom; Schutter, Olivier De; Hudon, Marek; Mathijs, Erik; Annaert, Bernd; Avermaete, Tessa; Bleeckx, Thomas; Callataÿ, Charlotte de; Snijder, Pepijn De; Fernandez-Wulff, Paula; Joachain, Hélène; Vivero, Jose Luis

doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2017.04.018

Cited by 45 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…These initiatives are creating rural and urban connections, improving consumer knowledge of food systems, and delivering better social and environmental outcomes than mainstream supply chains [18,19]. The question that this paper addresses is whether these social enterprises can move beyond a niche segment of the system to become crucial players in its transformation [20,21]. The analysis of the transformative potential of food social enterprises can reveal both drivers and structural barriers that impair not only initiatives development but also changes in food systems as a whole [22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Local Action with a Global Vision: The Transformative Potential of Food Social Enterprises in Australia

2019

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There is an urgent need to make food systems more sustainable and resilient. Such a transformation goes beyond technological innovation and requires economic and social change. Research interest in the transformative potential of community level action has increased. Food social enterprises often operate at the community level and consist of not-for-profit organisations that aim to make a positive contribution to social justice and environmental sustainability. The question addressed in this paper is whether these social enterprises are limited to isolated improvements or have the capacity to transform food systems more widely. This paper uses a multi-dimensional framework (involving the social setting, operational models, governance, and institutional context) to analyse the transformative potential of eight food social enterprises in the Australian cities of Brisbane and Melbourne. The analysis indicates that these enterprises create social networks, pursue agendas aligned with a global vision of transformation, and include a diversity of stakeholders. Their operational models are consistent with the goals of environmental sustainability and social justice. Their governance involves equality, transparency, and flexibility. In the institutional context, support from public policy is limited and there is a need to improve their engagement with governmental actors. While food social enterprises are well placed in the quest to make food systems more consistent with ecological dynamics and social justice, they need to engage in greater advocacy for institutional change in order to maximise their transformative potential.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Local Action with a Global Vision: The Transformative Potential of Food Social Enterprises in Australia

2019

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“…Only a few papers adopt a 'food system' approach (Chiffoleau et al 2016;Ely et al 2016;Jurgilevich et al 2016;Kuokkanen et al 2017;Marsden 2013;Vittersø and Tangeland 2015), that can be related to the 'food system transformation' perspective, although many scholars refer to the 'food system' concept (Audet et al 2017;Chiffoleau et al 2016;Crivits and Paredis 2013;Dedeurwaerdere et al 2017;Ely et al 2016;Jehlička and Smith 2011;Jurgilevich et al 2016;Kuokkanen et al 2017;Lutz and Schachinger 2013;Rossi 2017;Vittersø and Tangeland 2015). Different alternative forms of agriculture (e.g.…”

Section: Food Securitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Generally speaking, all papers that address aspects of food consumption deal with nutrition (Chiffoleau et al 2016;Clear et al 2016;Dedeurwaerdere et al 2017;Liu et al 2016;Mylan et al 2016;Rossi 2017;Stahlbrand 2016). Interestingly, there is also a correspondence between focus on nutrition and reference analytical framework.…”

Section: Nutritionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These are mainly the ones that address issues regarding the whole food system (see, 'food system approach') as well as those that deal with food consumption patterns and practices (Chiffoleau et al 2016;Clear et al 2016;Dedeurwaerdere et al 2017;Jurgilevich et al 2016;Kuokkanen et al 2017;Liu et al 2016;Mylan et al 2016;Rossi 2017;Stahlbrand 2016). In fact, all papers that deal with food utilisation/use pillar of food security also address aspects of food consumption and, consequently, nutrition (Chiffoleau et al 2016;Clear et al 2016;Dedeurwaerdere et al 2017;Liu et al 2016;Mylan et al 2016;Rossi 2017;Stahlbrand 2016). For instance, Liu et al (2016) propose applying the social practices approach (SPA), which combines both human agency ('individualist' perspective) and social structures (system or structural perspective), to better understand transitions toward the sustainability of food consumption patterns in China.…”

Section: Food Security and Nutritionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the case of crop production, transitions towards organic agriculture(Ghaffari et al 2015; Hauser and Lindtner 2017; Vittersø and Tangeland 2015) and agroecology (Cross and Ampt 2017; Duru et al 2014; Gonzalez de Molina 2013; Isgren and Ness 2017; Levidow 2015; Levidow et al 2014; Meek 2016; Miles et al 2017; Pant 2016) are prominent case studies. Interestingly, there are also some papers that deal with urban/peri-urban agriculture (Gilioli et al 2015) and urban food systems (Chiffoleau et al 2016; Cohen and Ilieva 2015; Gorissen et al 2018; Moragues-Faus and Morgan 2015).Similarly, production (generally referring to crop production) is the most-addressed stage of the food chain, but there are some papers that deal with processing(Long et al 2018;Wiskerke 2003), distribution and food procurement(Audet et al 2017;Randelli and Rocchi 2017;Stahlbrand 2016), consumption(Clear et al 2015(Clear et al , 2016Davies 2014;Davies and Doyle 2015;Dedeurwaerdere et al 2017;Liu et al 2016; O'Rourke and Lollo 2015; Twine 2015) and food waste(Wonneck and Hobson 2017). Other papers adopt a 'food system' approach and address different stages of the food chain simultaneously(Alrøe et al 2017;Bui et al 2016;Ely et al 2016;Hinrichs 2014;Hubeau et al 2017;Zwartkruis et al 2012).…”

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confidence: 99%

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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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Shortening the Supply Chain for Local Organic Food in Chinese Cities

Liu

Ravenscroft

2020

Food Supply Chains in Cities

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The Governance Features of Social Enterprise and Social Network Activities of Collective Food Buying Groups

Cited by 45 publications

References 29 publications

Local Action with a Global Vision: The Transformative Potential of Food Social Enterprises in Australia

Local Action with a Global Vision: The Transformative Potential of Food Social Enterprises in Australia

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

Shortening the Supply Chain for Local Organic Food in Chinese Cities

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