Governance of local food systems: Current research and future directions

Abstract

Social, economic, and environmental concerns have boosted interest in local food systems as well as alternative or transitional models of food production, distribution, and consumption. Recent studies suggest that more attention is needed to uncover aspects of the governance of these transitional models. In this systematic literature review, we attempt to close this gap by reviewing 55 papers from 2010 to 2020. Using frameworks borrowed from the public administration literature on collaborative governance, we explore the main elements of collaborative governance, including leadership, collaboration processes, starting conditions, and institutional designs. We then suggest opportunities for future research in the study of local food systems. The literature also accounts for key factors that facilitate or make collaboration difficult. Our findings indicate that the local food systems literature is rich in descriptions of actors and alternative institutional designs. However, far less research addresses leadership in local food supply chains and how we should measure outcomes. We conclude with suggestions for further research.