School Vegetable Gardens As a Site for Reciprocity in Food Systems Research: An Example from Cape Town, South Africa

School Vegetable Gardens As a Site for Reciprocity in Food Systems Research: An Example from Cape Town, South Africa

Linking food and land system research in Europe

Inclusive diets within planetary boundaries

Gender-based violence (GBV) is an important and pervasive global health and human rights issue whereby prevalence rates have remained unchanged for a decade. However, the relationship between GBV and food systems - the complex networks of people and activities involved in food, from production to consumption - lacks recognition in food systems research and policy. For both moral and practical reasons, GBV needs to be part of food system conversations, research and policy, so that the food sector can respond to global calls for action to address GBV.

The role of urban food policy in preventing diet-related non-communicable diseases in Cape Town and New York

Editorial and News

A new global agenda for nutrition and health: the importance of agriculture and food systems.

Rising mean temperatures, sea‐level rise, and the increasing frequencies of extreme climate events, such as drought and heat waves, are expected to destabilize global food systems. In response to this challenge, there has been a growing body of research seeking to address climate change impacts on food systems. To evaluate the current directions of climate change and food systems research, we undertook a literature search of 196 peer‐reviewed articles on the topic of climate change and food systems. Studies varied in scope and methodology, and many were framed in the context of food security. Three recurring themes within climate change and food systems research were identified: (1) vulnerability and adaptation, (2) sustainable food systems, and/or (3) biophysical impacts on food production. Additionally, we identified research gaps and discernible directions for future research. Our synthesis suggests that much of the current climate change and food systems research neglects systems‐based perspectives to conceptualizing problems and solutions, there is little consideration of the differential impacts of biophysical drivers and associated outcomes in different regions, and finally, there is a lack of critical perspectives addressing underlying political structures that maintain current food systems. We suggest that future research bridge these gaps if we are to adequately address the inherently complex nature of food systems under a changing climate.

The structure and functioning of current African food systems, together with unfavourable terms of trade and climate change impacts, pose significant challenges to achieving sustainability and more equitable outcomes. A contextually grounded evidence base is essential to identify feasible and resilient transformation pathways. Global food systems research has focused on industrialised food systems, with less attention given to Africa and to other differently structured systems. A framework for food systems analysis in Africa is needed to guide analysis and promote transformation while ensuring equitable opportunities for vulnerable communities amidst diverse cultural contexts. The Food Systems Research Network for Africa (FSNet-Africa) project developed a tailored analytical framework aimed at enabling holistic African food systems analysis. A co-production, iterative approach that built on existing models, the research of twenty early career scholars, and feedback from African scholars culminated in the development of the FSNet-Africa Food Systems Framework presented here. The process has demonstrated the effectiveness of a co-creation approach in developing applicable conceptual models for African food systems research. The Framework describes, from the lens of African food systems, a set of food systems drivers, the food system itself, and food system outcomes. Applications of the framework in research, teaching and policy spheres has demonstrated its wide relevance and applicability to addressing complex issues across the African food system.

<scp>IFST</scp> vision for a <scp>UK</scp>‐wide national food strategy

An optimal diet for planet and people

To enhance sustainability, the food system requires significant shifts in the production, processing and supply of food. Ideally, a sustainable food system should operate, not only to protect the biosphere, but also to provide nutritious, high-quality food, and to support social values, an equitable economy, and human and animal health. It should also be governed responsibly within a supportive policy environment. Implementing these shifts is a task of immense scale; but citizen participation/engagement has the potential to help make sustainability a reality through distributed learning, dynamic sensing, and knowledge generation. Technological advancements in sensing and data processing have enabled new forms of citizen participation in research. When food system research is embedded within society it can help us to understand which changes towards sustainability work and which do not. Indeed, citizen engagement in food systems research has the potential to help bring citizens on side, supporting the growth of a food culture of resilience and of sustainable practises (including dietary change). This commentary provides examples of how existing research and alternative food production systems and agroecological practises may provide possible frameworks for citizen participation in food system studies. We highlight potential future food and citizen science approaches. Widening citizen participation and encouraging the involvement of other food system actors, including those in local, national and international governance, is essential to capture the full potential of citizen science in enabling transition to a sustainable food system. For the research community citizen science offers engagement and empowerment of wider communities with science; collecting and analysing data; and creating viable solutions to food system and diet issues.

Research conducted on food systems by higher institutions can contribute to sustainable food security and nutrition at a local level and reduce the impact of societal challenges such as malnutrition. Unfortunately, malnutrition itself manifests as hidden hunger causing unintended consequences such as illness negatively affecting economic progress. Traditionally, research in agriculture has not taken a food systems approach which is looking at challenges of food systems from farm to fork (all stages from production to consumption). Therefore, as we embrace the compelling call to transition from agriculture to food systems research approaches, mapping studies at a local level are needed. However, studies on food systems have been carried out at a macro (global or regional level), a micro-perspective investigation is needed to inform future research. A systematic review on existing literature (journals and thesis) was conducted to identify gaps and opportunities in research on food systems undertaken by researchers at the University of Nairobi. Information collected included; 1. institutions (faculties and department at the university, national policy, and international institutions collaborating with university of Nairobi), 2. crop types (cereals, legumes, vegetables, roots and tubers, and nuts), 3. food systems activities (production, postharvest, processing, and preservation, value addition and branding, consuming foods, input and output markets, obtaining nutrients as well as logistics and distribution) driving research on food systems. The contribution of each of the components (institutions, food systems activity and crop type) was also investigated through citation scores. The findings show that low research outputs on food systems were generated by the university of Nairobi compared to selected universities in Africa and across the globe. Research was focused on carbohydrate rich crops (maize, sorghum, cassava, irish potato, sweet potato, and rice) as compared to protective bioactive vitamin crops (vegetables, mango, and beans). This demonstrated low crop diversity and dietary quality. Research priority was given mainly to maize compared to traditional crops such as sorghum, African Leafy Vegetables, cassava and millets. Faculties such as health, science and technology, engineering, and humanities were involved in research in food systems in addition to agriculture, a potential indication of transdisciplinary research. Additionally, there was more collaborative research between university of Nairobi with institutions at a global level than with local institutions. The involvement of policy institutions in research was low, mainly restricted to the discipline of agriculture, production food system activity and in a few crops such as maize, cassava, and medicinal plants. Disparities in research existed along the food systems activities as more attention was focused on production activities. Other food system activities such as harvesting, processing and preservation, consumption, value addition and branding, input and output markets, as well as logistics and distribution activities, received low research priority. Each component (food system activity, crop type and institution) demonstrated contribution to sustainable food security as shown by citation scores. The findings demonstrate skewed focus in food systems research at the university of Nairobi. Agricultural research investment within institutions of higher learning will need to consider all food systems activities, under-researched crops and collaborations that advance transdisciplinary studies to promote inclusive contribution of food systems to food security at a local level. Further studies can focus on developing frameworks to advance transdisciplinary research.

Food preferences, systems, and policies influence the health of individuals and communities both directly, through food consumption choices, and indirectly, through environmental, economic, and social impacts. To aid student understanding of these complex determinants of food choice, a student-driven, community-engaged learning course on food systems and food choices was developed. Guided by the socio-ecological model for health and the goals of the Emory Sustainability Initiative and supported by the Center for Community Partnerships (CFCP), the course objectives, curriculum, and activities were determined by the students in collaboration with the faculty advisor and community partners. Two central components of the course were student-led learning modules and community-engaged research on food systems. The four learning modules included: (1) determinants of individual food preference and choice; (2) food and agriculture systems; (3) food access and food justice; and (4) agricultural policy. Community research projects described the role of farmers' markets, community supported agriculture, conventional markets, community gardens, and farm-to-table restaurants in the production and distribution of food in metro Atlanta, with an emphasis on locally produced fruits, vegetables, meats, and milk. Where possible the projects mapped the reach of these distribution models to low-income communities and food deserts, and identified strategies to improve access to healthy food options in these communities. The course culminated in a student-organized symposium for community members and in research reports for community partners. The symposium drew diverse participants, including growers, farmers' market managers, advocacy groups, public-health scientists, policy-makers, students, and academicians. Discussions with symposium participants assisted in refining the research reports for community partners and helped identify strategies and topics for future collaborative efforts and course improvements. A grant from Emory's CFCP facilitated collaboration with community partners, community research, and dissemination of research findings.

Alaska faces unique challenges to sustainable food systems and food security, including extreme climate conditions and geographical remoteness, and yet the state is similar to the Lower 48 states with respect to many indicators that can be used to characterize the health of our food systems. Due to common concerns over such indicators as obesity rates, food insecurity rates, and recruitment of new farmers, food system stakeholders in Alaska are promoting a resurgence of food systems research and advocacy that is exemplified in the work of the Alaska Food Policy Council (AFPC). Identifying and prioritizing the specific food systems research needs of a state as large and diverse as Alaska is a challenge, but one that is being met with methodical, straightforward approaches. This commentary outlines two examples of recent formal, yet relatively simple, methods for identifying food system research and action priorities, and concludes by sharing some of the latest identified Alaska food system priority research projects, ideas, and needs.