The transformative potential of the food system concept

Abstract

The dependence on the global food system both in the Global North and Global South, has a profound impact on people’s dietary pattern and health – and creates immediate vulnerability and unpredictability related to food security. With growing insight into the consequences of the global food system for the environment, many cities in the Global North have implemented local/regional food strategies, food charters and other food system-related policies in an attempt to improve urban food security and encourage sustainable food system activities. Such activities include, for example, climate and ecosystem-friendly production methods, minimising the transportation of commodities in favour of food production located closer to consumers, and food systems driven by local participation and community actions. There seems to be connection between several of the proposed food system activities and Transition Movement actions (IPBES, 2018). Could the development of a sustainable food system catalyse transitions towards sustainability? In order to explore this question, the aim of this chapter is to analyse the link between sustainable food systems and pathways towards sustainability transitions. The chapter elaborates on how the sustainable food system relates to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and identifies eight aspects for such systems. Those dimensions/aspects agree well with the activities characteristic of the Transition Movements pathway towards a sustainable future.