Alison Blay-Palmer

This paper makes the case for the regional scale as a space for resilient, sustainable food system transformation. Drawing from the literature and using the example of the Food Learning and Growing (FLOW) Partnership, we propose a hybrid methodology to explore, monitor and track enablers, barriers and changes over time. FLOW includes ten food regions where we are tracking various dimensions of transformation. The regional food systems capacities framework introduced herein is the theoretical basis for our work and frames our research. This framework underpins our research approach that includes developing multi-actor groups to guide our research and using collective visioning and impact pathways to map changes. Impact pathway maps help identify indicators to monitor and track changes and follow the paths to transformation. The indicators are brought to life through stories of change that will be shared across the research project to inform and catalyze ideas between regions. The stories will also be shared outside the FLOW partnership to inform and inspire others who seek to transform their food systems. Our goal is to understand the socio-ecological, economic, human and governance capacities that facilitate transformation from industrial food systems to ones that realize fair livelihoods, the right to food, food security, and ecological integrity.

There is increased recognition of a common suite of global challenges that hamper food system sustainability at the community scale. Food price volatility, shortages of basic commodities, increased global rates of obesity and non-communicable food-related diseases, and land grabbing are among the impediments to socially just, economically robust, ecologically regenerative and politically inclusive food systems. While international political initiatives taken in response to these challenges and the groundswell of local alternatives emerging in response to challenges are well documented, more attention is needed to the analysis of similarities between community approaches to global pressures. While we are not suggesting the application of a template set of good practices, the research reported in this paper point to the benefits of both sharing good practices and enabling communities to adopt good practices that are suited to their place-based capacities. The work also suggests that sharing community-derived good practices can support and reinforce global networks of sustainable community food systems, foster knowledge co-creation and ultimately cement collective action to global pressures. In turn these networks could enhance the sustainability and resilience of community food systems and facilitate wide scale food system transformation.