Navigating the politics and processes of food systems transformation: guidance from a holistic framework

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: June 25, 2024

The call for transforming food systems from their current unsustainable trajectories toward more desirable, healthy, sustainable, resilient, and equitable outcomes has received unprecedented echoes recently—particularly following the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit. But lack of guidance on how to do so in a comprehensive integrated manner left many actors uncertain, skeptical, or even low-spirited about prospects delivering such an ambitious task. Through this work, we argue that transformation is not impossible goal aspire for; however, whether achieve any form essentially down politics are enacted. Politics, posit, at center creating maintaining system will also be crucial guiding change processes sustainable goals. In paper, explore argument through conceptual framework. framework, which relevant both high lower-income countries, integrates multiple perspectives practical experiences transition, propose holistic diagnostic prescriptive tool transformation. Three critical lessons emerge this: first, (of systems) must normative, deliberate goal-oriented—as opposed driven by technological innovations; second, process account for, integrate, build multi-dimensional multi-procedural nature drive (or resist) changes; third, needs strong driving environment, one transforms just but governance.

Language: Английский

Ranking food security indicators and metrics in Hawaiʻi: a Delphi approach

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: Jan. 7, 2025

A comprehensive set of regionally relevant indicators and metrics is crucial for tracking progress in transforming food systems to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Household security, foundational sustainable, equitable, resilient systems, aligns with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Policymakers require accurate data guide decisions, yet a major challenge developing scientifically sound, participatory, reproducible approaches sub-national system metrics. This study addresses this need by using Delphi research method create multi-indicator both stand-alone complementary security specific Hawaiʻi. Engaging 24 experts Hawaiʻi, 58% response rate second round, consensus was achieved on 55 71 (78%). The U.S. Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) received highest rating among (3.5, SD = 0.8). Complementary were organized within framework encompassing four dimensions security: availability, access, utilization, stability. Access top ratings, including ‘rate households below ALICE threshold’ (4.4, 0.7). stands Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, refers that earn enough be ineligible many public assistance programs but not afford basic necessities. Results highlight clarify terminology, address (in)security misconceptions, develop new gaps, prioritize initiatives like Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Hawaiʻi’s high living costs enhance access. multidimensional model presented here adaptable other regions, extending its impact beyond

Language: Английский

Forming a national community of practice of food system planning initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: Jan. 29, 2025

Introduction This paper is designed to identify key factors informing the process of developing a United States-based national community practice state and regional food system planning efforts aligned with Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Methods Grounded in an extensive literature review, we employed exploratory sequential mixed methods design assess needs, functions, challenges, likelihood for participation Data drawn by series semi-structured interviews 25 leading experts, complemented set self-administered online surveys 35 practitioners across nation. Results Our integrative findings revealed overwhelmingly interest need development The further indicate that practice, principles functions shared governance, mutual trust collective fundraising are essential supporting credible coordinated activities promote equity, reinforce capacity building, research on measurements, strengthen advocacy systemic transformation UN Finally, our study rampant collaboration knowledge sharing various stages formation practice. majority participants appear be familiar, yet only small fraction their organizations formally Discussion emerge Wenger’s conceptual framework offering suitable theoretical grounding systems planning. implication this denotes importance among academic institutions, legislators FPEs within can spur adaptation, innovation, integration planning, policy, implementation, monitoring. Coordination pooling resources aligning lead more efficient use allocation funds, ensuring investments directed toward most impactful practices initiatives efforts.

Language: Английский