Relational proximity: The search for local food in China

Abstract

ABSTRACT In the West, the local food movement began with the hope of constructing sustainable food systems, but the philosophy’s actual impact must be examined in specific sociocultural contexts. Focusing on the daily food practices of consumers in Guangzhou, China, this study explores how Chinese consumers define, understand, and experience local food, the characteristics of local food initiatives in China, and their multifaced impacts on social sustainability. The results show that Guangzhou consumers actively seek out local food and even become involved in the production, a highly effective strategy for addressing food quality challenges. Consumer perspectives on local food can be grouped into three categories: placed-based native food, culture-based hometown food, and value-based ecological food, with localness conferred by the pathways of visceral experience, cultural heritage, and value identity. The study argues that, theoretically, the definition of local food should transcend geographical boundaries and incorporate relational proximities among consumer bodies, places, cultures, and producers as robust parameters. Practically, consumer-led local food initiatives promote social sustainability at different levels by alleviating people’s diverse food anxieties and connecting various communities. They also demonstrate the possibility of solidifying the urban-rural nexus, but efforts to motivate broad public participation and institutional support are needed.