Sustainable Local Food Research Articles

Empowering Widowed Women with Sustainable Food Security in Tunyai Location, Tharaka Sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya: A Qualitative Analysis of Their Roles, Challenges, and Resilience

Food security, a fundamental global concern, is intrinsically linked to the pivotal roles, women play in agricultural and food production. This qualitative research, conducted in Tunyai Location, Tharaka Sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya, delves into the significant contributions of widowed women to food security by exploring their roles in agricultural and food production. The research aims to understand the experiences, challenges, and strategies of widowed women in enhancing the local food supply. Using a purposive sampling method, 50 widowed women actively engaged in agriculture were selected for participation in Key Informant Interviews. NVivo software facilitated the data analysis, enabling systematic exploration and thematic identification of patterns, challenges, and strategies employed by these women. The study findings underscore the profound contributions of widowed women to food security, with 56% actively engaged in agricultural activities. These women represent a cornerstone in sustaining local food security through diverse roles encompassing crop cultivation, livestock management, and food processing. Furthermore, the research underscores the need to address the 44% of widowed women not actively involved, emphasizing potential gender disparities and barriers. In conclusion, this study highlights the integral role of women in enhancing food security and the imperative to address gender-related challenges to ensure a resilient and sustainable local food supply in Tunyai Location.

“Planeterranean” diet: the new proposal for the Mediterranean-based food pyramid for Asia

Background and objectivesThe Mediterranean Diet (MD) has been recognized for its benefits for human health and sustainability for the planet, but it has considered not easy to reproduce in other populations. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair on Health Education and Sustainable Development is fostering a research project (Planeterranea), aiming to identify a healthy dietary pattern based on local foods with the same MD features. The aim of our study is to develop a MD-based food pyramid for Asian populations.MethodsAsia was stratified into six areas according to pedo-climatic conditions. For each region a comprehensive scoping review of local crops and typical foods was conducted on several databases such as the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s database, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) website, and PubMed, focusing on both plant-based and animal-based foods. Narrative review was then conducted on the identified foods to determine their nutritional composition and planetary health impact. Finally, the collected information was used to build up the Asian food pyramid with details for each respective region.ResultsWe proposed a food pyramid for Asian countries, guaranteeing the same nutritional intake and health benefits as MD, by considering dietary habits and typical foods of this population. From the bottom to the top, Asian fruits and vegetables present similar nutritional profile as those in MD. Whole grains (barley) may represent valid alternative to white rice. Sesame oil represents a source of unsaturated fats and an alternative to olive oil. Legumes (soybean), edible insects, mushrooms and algae, guarantee an adequate intake of plant-based proteins with a complete amino-acid profile and a low environmental impact with respect to animal-based ones.ConclusionsThis work is a new insight of healthy and sustainable local food system based on MD principles for the Asian population.

Systems thinking for local food environments: a participatory approach identifying leverage points and actions for healthy and sustainable transformations

BackgroundCurrent local food environments encourage poor diets, posing a significant threat to public and planetary health. Acknowledging and addressing its inherent complexity is vital to making meaningful improvements to the food environment. Using a participatory approach with local stakeholders, this study aims to gain insight into the factors and mechanisms underlying the local food environment and to identify leverage points and system-based actions to foster healthy and sustainable local food environments.MethodsA systems-thinking approach was used in a Dutch municipality in 2022. Two group model building (GMB) workshops were held with community stakeholders (e.g. local policymakers, retailers and residents). During the first workshop (June 2022), factors and mechanisms influencing the local food environment were identified and visualized through a causal loop diagram (CLD). During the second workshop, leverage points and system-based actions to improve food environments were identified by the stakeholders. Four months after (October 2022), an action-implementation meeting was organized to stimulate the implementation of selected actions. Progress was monitored through brief telephone interviews 6 and 12 months after the second workshop.ResultsThe CLD visualises the factors and mechanisms influencing the local food environment from the point of view of the community stakeholders. The CLD consists of 46 factors shaping the local food environment, which were categorized into four identified subsystems: societal factors, individual, socio-economic factors, commercial factors and political factors. Eight leverage points were identified within the CLD, for example, ‘lobby from food industry’, ‘governmental food policies’ and ‘e-commerce and platform economy’. Stakeholders formulated 20 actions targeting the identified leverage points. During the action-implementation meeting, long-term plans were created for five actions. After 1 year, only one participant (policy advisory role) remained actively engaged in three of these actions.ConclusionsThis study yields insight into the numerous factors and mechanisms underlying the local food environment and identified system-based actions as perceived by local stakeholders to improve this food environment locally. The CLD offers stakeholders valuable insights on employing a systems approach when enhancing food environments. More research is necessary, especially into the long-term processes and effects of implementing system-oriented actions to improve local food environments.

A participatory approach for sustainable local food development: Evidence and digital perspectives from a rural area in Italy

The main objective of the study is to discuss the application of a participatory approach that involves the community of a small rural area in Italy to develop and maintain a sustainable local food system based on a very ancient and high-quality typical local bean. The efficacy of the approach in terms of the active involvement of local actors (farming communities, local administration, social associations, and civil society) and knowledge transfer for preserving the local food culture has been demonstrated. Possible improvements to the approach through digital technologies for stimulating the effective engagement of teenagers have also been discussed.

Impacts of empathy, identity, and ethical branding on sustainable local food consumption

AbstractThis study clarifies the pathway to sustainable local food consumption highlighting ethical branding. Literature suggests that ethical brands promote continuous local food consumption, however, the structure of purchasing factors and impact has not been fully elucidated. A model is constructed in which empathy‐based social responsibility and self‐identity drive the purchase of local food, and ethical brand purchasing influences consumers’ perception of retailers’ ethics. The model is tested using a questionnaire survey and three years of actual purchase data on consumer purchases of ethically branded local foods. Results show that purchasing local food products, especially ethically branded ones, is mediated by consumers’ self‐identity toward social responsibility based on empathy, and self‐oriented purchasing enhances consumers’ perception of retailers’ ethics. Theoretical implications of the validated model for the studies on local food and ethical consumption, and the practical implications of ethical branding for organizations striving for sustainable development, are discussed.

The Role of Local Communities in Implementing Soil and Water Conservation Practices for Sustainable Food Production Enhancement in the Salawati District, Sorong Regency

Salawati District is one of the agricultural centers in Sorong Regency, with 82.43% of its population's livelihood in the agricultural sector. Over time, society faces various challenges that threaten the availability of food supplies and agricultural sustainability. The success of soil and water conservation practices in increasing sustainable food production is highly dependent on the participation and contribution of local communities. This research aims to identify soil and water conservation practices that local communities have adopted, assess their level of knowledge about these practices, and evaluate the impact of conservation practices on sustainable food production. This research uses a dominant, less dominant research design by combining two approaches, namely a qualitative approach and a quantitative approach, with a less dominant position. From the research results, it is known that local community knowledge is 72.86%, and 82.86% have implemented soil and water conservation practices in the process of cultivating agricultural crops. The motivation for implementing conservation practices was 70% to increase agricultural yields, 15.71% to achieve environmental sustainability, and 14.29% based on personal motivation. The obstacles faced were 34.29% from lack of resources (financial, equipment); 30% due to weather uncertainty; 22.86% from lack of knowledge about soil and water conservation practices; and 12.86% were time-constrained. The source of information in implementing soil and water conservation practices was obtained by the community: 51.43% information from other farmers; 37.14% from the internet or social media; 8.57% from local agricultural experts; and the least, namely, 2.86% from agricultural training. Farmer groups are the main source of support in implementing soil and water conservation practices. As many as 100% of local communities have a more sustainable view of the future regarding soil and water conservation practices in terms of increasing sustainable local food production. to create a sustainable agricultural system that can improve the quality of agricultural land, which in turn can increase sustainable food production so that food security can be realized.

Agro-Food Supply Chains in Peri-Urban Agricultural Areas: Do They Contribute to Preserve Local Biodiversity? The Case of Baix Llobregat Agrarian Park

Peri-urban regions, especially in the Mediterranean, face challenges like farmland loss due to urban pressure. This study emphasizes retail stores as strategic focal points for evaluating societal, economic, and production systems. It hypothesizes that analyzing retail stores in agricultural areas provides insights into traded and cultivated agrobiodiversity. Using the Baix Llobregat Agrarian Park (Catalonia, NE Iberian Peninsula) as a case study, this research examines different food retailers from short and conventional food supply chains. Results indicate variations in plant diversity, origin, and seasonality among different retail stores. Farmers’ markets exhibit higher intraspecific diversity, contributing to local agrobiodiversity conservation. This study observes temporal changes in farmers’ markets, highlighting shifts influenced by socioeconomic factors and climate change perceptions. Finally, this research underscores certain strategies to promote sustainable peri-urban local food systems and preserve agrobiodiversity, offering valuable insights into food supply chain dynamics in peri-urban agricultural regions.

SOWING THE SEEDS OF TRANSFORMATION IN THE COLOMBIAN ANDES: THE ROLE OF THE HUERTA (HOME GARDEN) IN FOSTERING AND SUSTAINING AGROECOLOGICAL PRODUCTION

ABSTRACT The adoption of agroecological and related alternative farming practices is frequently cited as a viable strategy for fostering transformative change within agricultural and food systems. This study investigates the role of agroecology as a pathway of transformation of small-scale agriculture in the Colombian Andes. Drawing upon the “three spheres” model of transformation, which encompasses interactions between the personal, practical, and political spheres, the study explores motivations, actions, and political implications associated with the adoption of agroecology in three sites within the Bogotá region. The study employs a qualitative methodology, including in-depth farmer interviews and participant observation. Study findings highlight a range of economic, cultural, and ecological motivations within the personal sphere, all of which are driving farmers toward adoption of agroecology. These motivations, many of which are rooted in an ethics of care and connection, manifest in the practical sphere through actions including soil care, plant care, and care of seeds. Within the political sphere, these actions are contributing to micropolitical changes that are fostering broader shifts toward sustainable local food systems. Taken together, these findings suggest that agroecological practices can offer a viable pathway for addressing the current challenges in agriculture, promising a more sustainable and socially just future for small-scale farming.

Mapping municipal food supply: A longitudinal‐spatial case study in Southern Germany

AbstractGerman food supply structures show heavy market concentration, which is often framed as a result of economies of scale and scope, individual purchasing behavior, and restrictive EU regulations. However, it remains open how these general developments influenced local food economies and their supply structures of end consumers in small–medium sized municipalities. This paper explores the evolution of local food supply structures on the spatial and temporal scale by mapping food‐supplying businesses in two typical cases, Leutkirch im Allgäu and Waldkirch im Breisgau. The comparative study shows how business‐to‐consumer structures such as food service, retail, and artisanal food processing have developed in terms of numbers of businesses, composition, and spatial distribution. Results show a sharp decline in the diversity and number of enterprises in small and medium‐sized towns. There has also been a shift of enterprises from the city center to the outskirts, for example, in the food service sector. The analysis reveals dynamics that result from a complex interplay of socioeconomic, technological, and local factors. The findings could prove particularly useful for the development of local food policies, strategies, and/or governance aiming at sustainable local food systems and could therefore have implications for their focus.

Co-learning in university-community engagement for sustainable local food systems in South Africa

The legacy of racial and spatial segregation in South Africa has left an epistemic chasm between knowledge-producing institutions and members of disadvantaged communities most in need of applying scientific knowledge to address their local societal challenges. The aim of this study is to examine how the co-learning approach can be used to bridge the knowledge asymmetry between university researchers and communities within which their institutions are embedded by building bonds of mutual trust and involving target knowledge users in the design and testing of technological solutions targeted to their needs. Using the outcome mapping (OM) analysis of project documents and key informant interviews of participants in the co-learning project between the University of Johannesburg and Soweto smallholder farmers, this study illustrates the contribution of the co-learning approach to shaping networks of successful innovation co-creation. Our findings indicate that co-learning leads to the optimisation of the capacity building speed when co-learning partners have a shared commitment to the outcomes and application of the co-created knowledge.

The City of Cork Food Policy Council – Inter-agency collaboration towards a fairer, healthier, more secure and sustainable local food system

Abstract Food has long played a significant part in Cork's identity and Cork regards itself as ‘the food capital of Ireland’. In contrast Cork city has areas of severe social disadvantage and, in line with other parts of the country, there are rising levels of diet-related ill-health and where up to one in eight households experiences food poverty (Kenny and Sage, 2019). To date, Cork City does not have an Urban Food Strategy. The Cork Food Policy Council is a partnership between representatives of the community, food retail, farming, fishing, restaurant/catering, education, environmental and health sectors and local authorities. It was established in 2012 to work towards the achievement of a fairer, healthier, more secure and sustainable food system within the City and throughout the region. As a multidisciplinary group that works closely with the Cork Healthy City initiative, it has pioneered innovative approaches to bring food systems thinking into the city, working at both local and policy levels. This recognises the position and value of food within the fabric of city life, and for its multifunctional benefits to health, community, infrastructure and spatial thinking. The presentation will focus on the interagency nature of this group and how a greater understanding and collaboration among local policy drivers has led to innovative actions in the city and the groundwork towards co-creating a food strategy for the City.

Systems dynamics for healthy and sustainable local food environments

Abstract Background Current food environments steer unhealthy food choices, increasing the risk for diet-related non-communicable diseases. Changing food environments is complex and underlying system dynamics of local food environments are relatively unclear. This study aimed to identify factors and leverage points that shape local food environments and to develop systemic actions with local stakeholders to improve food environments. Methods Two workshops (in 2022) were held in a Dutch municipality using a community-based system dynamics approach in which a variety of stakeholders (n = 13) participated (e.g., policy maker, retailers, health coach, citizens). Group model building exercises were used to identify factors shaping the local food environment and to develop a causal loop diagram. Subsequently, leverage points and actions to improve food environments were identified by the stakeholders. Results Based on the first workshop, a total of 46 factors influencing the local food environment were identified and categorized into four subsystems including commercial-, political-, global- and societal factors. The leverage points included the anti-lobby from food industry, food industry's willingness to change, Government/consumer priority on healthy food, food policy, e-commerce and platform economy, demand for healthy food, time to prepare/consume meals. In correspondence, 20 actions to improve the local food environment were identified during the second workshop. Moreover, the exercises initiated dialogues and collaborations between the participating stakeholders to adapt their local food environment. Conclusions This research yielded one of the first causal loop diagrams showing the multiple and varied factors influencing the local food environment. It underlines the importance of using a systems approach to adapt and improve food environments. More work is needed to implement the developed actions and to translate the system dynamics approach for use by non-academics. Key messages • Food environments are complex adaptive systems, which require a systems dynamic approach to generate change. • Food environments need to be adapted at multiple levels requiring multiple pathways and stakeholders to succeed, and thus move away from single component interventions.

Understanding attitudes and associations of Costa Ricans towards insect consumption

Abstract Insect-based foods are still considered a novelty in Costa Rica. Although there is no tradition of entomophagy in this country, some insect-based products are being recently introduced as innovations into the market. Pioneering in creating nutritious and appealing insect-based foods represents an important opportunity to cater to a growing population and promote a sustainable local food system development. Consumer perception is one of the main barriers for introducing edible insects in Costa Rica, as in many other occidental countries. Costa Rican consumers in this and previous studies showed resistance to consuming and accepting insects as part of their everyday diet. This exploratory qualitative study aimed at revealing the patterns explaining such resistance. In this study, twelve potential consumers from urban settings, aged between 25 and 45, were selected to complete a structured survey and attend a one-on-one in-depth interview session where different projective techniques were applied. The data were analysed systematically to gain a deeper understanding of thoughts, perceptions, reservations, and motivations to consume insect-based foods. Five different patterns were identified and unpacked: whole insects, movement, texture, dirt, and bad taste. These patterns are based on expectations from previous experiences with insects in non-edible contexts, are drivers of disgust, and prevent the participants from thinking of insects as food.

Crowdfarming. A public-private crowdfunding campaign to finance sustainable local food systems: a case study of short food supply chains in Madrid

Civic crowdfunding (CiC) and matchfunding (MF) are innovative private-public financing tools that can back projects with positive social and environmental characteristics. The purpose of this study is to analyse the potential opportunities and Challenges of CiC with MF as a policy tool for local governments to finance placebased food initiatives and promote sustainable local food systems. The Matchfunding Madrid-KmRegión case study comprised three CiC calls in which institutional funds supplemented the money raised by crowdfunding campaigns for innovative short food supply chain projects. The results highlight the potential of CiC / MF to help local food project promoters to raise financial resources, as well as learn marketing skills and build a social support base around their projects. With the launch of CiC / MF campaigns, local and regional governments can enable innovative local food producers to launch their projects through community commitment. Further CiC/MF campaigns can support the entrepreneurship of agrifood initiatives in the region of Madrid. To do this, there is a need for more research and the dissemination of good practises

Exploring approaches to equal and effective participation of governance actors in trans-local city food networks

This study examines how trans-local city food networks approach participation within their internal governance arrangements. For this purpose, we investigate eleven trans-local city food networks that work on up- and/or out-scaling of sustainable local food system initiatives. The results show that approaches to participation vary, especially when it comes to inclusion, distributive – and collective agency. The analysis suggests that while non-governmental actors are included in many networks, their opportunities for effective participation are limited in comparison with local policymakers. Additionally an improved cooperation and alignment between trans-local city food networks would avoid duplication of efforts. By reflecting on their own approach trans-local city food networks could actively look for other networks that can reinforce or complement their own work.

Attributes influencing responsible tourism consumer choices: Sustainable local food and drink, health-related services, and entertainment

Research background: This research focused on identifying attributes of tourism services which are guided by a responsible vision and which seek to achieve consumer satisfaction with products that respect sustainability principles. Responsible consumer choices were defined as those formed by an orientation toward sustainable local food and drink, health-related services, and entertainment. Purpose of the article: This research had two aims. The first was to create and validate a measurement scale assessing tourists' motivations with regard to three responsible tourism service dimensions. The second was to evaluate how tourists' responsible choices affect their satisfaction. Methods: The methodology included exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling to test the hypothesis developed based on a literature review. The convenience sample was made up of tourism service users. Findings & value added: The results include a broad measurement tool that can be applied in other fields of research to detect which variables influence consumer satisfaction. The proposed model incorporates significant determining factors, namely, key aspects affecting tourism service selection by clients focused on sustainability and responsible consumption. Based on a market orientation (MO) perspective, the findings contribute to the existing literature on stakeholder theory (ST) and dynamic capability theory (DCT). The value added comprises a better understanding of responsible tourism consumers' choices based on a three-part theoretical framework (i.e., MO, ST, and DCT).

Exploring the future of GM technology in sustainable local food systems in Colombia.

The security of Earth's food systems is challenged by shifting regional climates. While agricultural processes are disrupted by climate change, they also play a large role in contributing to destabilizing greenhouse gases. Finding new strategies to increase yields while decreasing agricultural environmental impacts is essential. Tropical agriculture is particularly susceptible to climate change: local, smallholder farming, which provides a majority of the food supply, is high risk and has limited adaptation capacity. Rapid, inexpensive, intuitive solutions are needed, like the implementation of genetically modified (GM) crops. In the Latin American tropics, high awareness and acceptance of GM technologies, opportunities to test GM crops as part of local agricultural educations, and their known economic benefits, support their use. However, this is not all that is needed for the future of GM technologies in these areas: GM implementation must also consider environmental and social sustainability, which can be unique to a locality. Primarily from the perspective of its educators, the potential of a rural Colombian university in driving GM implementation is explored, including the role of this type of university in producing agricultural engineers who can innovate with GM to meet regionally-dependent environmental and cultural needs that could increase their sustainability.

Life cycle assessment of urban food supply: Key findings and recommendations from a French metropolitan area case study

The environmental challenges raised by urban food supply requirements must be addressed and sustainable local food policies need to be designed. For these reasons, the major areas of improvement should be identified in terms of both consumption and production. This paper aims at implementing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to achieve a comprehensive diagnosis of the environmental impacts of food supply at a city level, and to provide adequate recommendations on how to perform data collection. Initially designed to quantify the environmental performance of a product or service, proposals have been made to adapt LCA to city and territory scales. However, applications are still scarce, as data collection can be very resource-intensive. Most existing studies apply a top-down approach that presents a number of limitations. For example, an overly aggregated representation of the studied sectors is proposed, while mainly greenhouse gas impacts are quantified without addressing a broad coverage of environmental issues. In this paper, a bottom-up approach is adopted, where the collected data concerns a comparison between two data sources involving individual food consumption (i.e. a national and a local survey). AGRIBALYSE 3.0 database is used for life cycle inventories of food products and different methods are employed to scale up the analysis to city level. Results indicate that the main impacts arise from animal product consumption and agricultural production stages, with certain variations according to the impact category and considered food product. A comparison between national and local data on food consumption confirms that average national data are sufficient for an initial diagnosis. One of the next challenges will be to improve the LCA databases. Although they now include several hundred foodstuffs, they do not distinguish between alternative practices (e.g., for agricultural or retailing step) and product sources.

Systemizing a rural livelihood diversification framework for sustainable community-based agritourism: A participatory approach to ensure resilience

IntroductionSituated approaches of rural livelihood diversification, such as community-based agritourism, can localize sustainable food systems at the regional level. This research advances an integrated framework of indicators to assess the interdisciplinary benefits of rural livelihood diversification practices for sustainable local food systems and community resilience.MethodsWe built a framework on four dimensions deducted from secondary data: (1) environmental, (2) sociocultural, (3) economic, and (4) health. These were validated with an inductive analysis of primary data, which we collected from a panel of experts with a content validity index and tested in three rural case studies with shadow observation and qualitative interviews. We conducted both in-depth interviews with community leaders (n = 10) and semi-structured interviews with multi-sectoral stakeholders (n = 40).ResultsFindings (1) identify a comprehensive list of indicators to assess environmental, sociocultural, economic, and health dimensions of rural livelihood diversification practices and (2) advance a participatory approach to prioritize indicators according to their regional relevance (co-developed with stakeholders involved in Bangkok's local food systems). Food tourism connects the four dimensions by (1) preserving local agrobiodiversity (2) preserving rural communities' traditions (3) creating new capacity building opportunities for community-driven socio-economic development and (4) recognizing the health benefits of indigenous foods.DiscussionThis study contributes to a value-added conceptualization of community-based agritourism as a rural livelihood diversification practice. Such research effort highlights the importance of co-producing and ground-truthing indicators for rural livelihood diversification practices localizing sustainable development goals.

Local food systems, citizen and public science, empowered communities, and democracy: hopes deserving to live

Since 1984, the AHV journal has provided a key forum for a community of interdisciplinary, international researchers, educators, and policy makers to analyze and debate core issues, values and hopes facing the nation and the world, and to recommend strategies and actions for addressing them. This agenda includes the more specific challenges and opportunities confronting agriculture, food systems, science, and communities, as well as broader contextual issues and grand challenges. This paper draws extensively on 40 years of AHV journal articles and reviews and begins with a focus on a limited number of key grand challenges (climate change and global warming; threats to democracy and the growing neo-nationalism, populism, and authoritarianism; and increasing national and international inequality). With these challenges as the underlining context, the remainder of the paper addresses core journal themes of sustainable agriculture and local food systems, citizen and public science, and empowered communities. Highlighted are numerous important journal contributions to the analyses and recommendations to address these hopes and themes. I conclude that these themes and hopes not only deserve to live but are essential for changing and redirecting an unsustainable and destructive environmental, economic, political and social agenda to a viable, livable and just democratic society.