Promoting social sustainability and transforming foodways through alternative food spaces: a case study of Beijing farmers’ market

Abstract

ABSTRACT Organic farmers’ markets have rapidly expanded in major Chinese cities as a response to food safety concerns, with the concept of “organic” serving as the driving force behind this movement. This study examines the Beijing Farmers’ Market, the first organic farmers’ market in mainland China, to explore its role in reconfiguring foodways and promoting social sustainability. The development of the Beijing Farmers’ Market is driven by the changing values, attitudes, and ideologies of both producers and consumers, that set them apart from the mainstream food system. While this study is situated within the broader context of food safety concerns that contribute to the emergence of such markets, it primarily focuses on how the market fosters trust and proactive relationships between health-conscious consumers and new farmers committed to safe food production. These dynamic connections are shaped by shifting lifestyles among both producers and consumers. This research highlights how food serves as a socio-spatial space for reconnecting people with nature and cultivating food communities, engagement and resilience.