Conceptualizing governance challenges to transform food systems

Raffaele Vignola ^1,2,3* Peter Oosterveer ¹

• ¹ Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
• ² Gund Institute for Environment, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States
• ³ Centro Agronomico Tropical De Investigacion Y Ensenanza Catie, Turrialba, Costa Rica

Food systems approaches are receiving increasing attention as creating a more holistic perspective on the organisation of food production and supply and on how to promote, food safety, environmental sustainability and equity. While the structure and complexity of food systems have been widely acknowledged, efforts to understand their governance and the possible challenges are just starting. We contribute to conceptualizing these challenges by harnessing the conceptual insights from multiple system governance frameworks. Conceptual and empirical lessons from these frameworks helps understanding the possible challenges that may emerge when dealing with key features of modern globalized food systems. These include cross-spatial and temporal dynamics, dealing with the common trade-offs across food system goals and integrating narratives and policies when dealing with diverse stakeholders, sectors and knowledge communities. We discuss the implications of dealing with the challenges that may emerge in any or multiple of these key features especially under the new governance paradigm in which modern food systems are embedded and in the presence of diverse paradigms and power asymmetries.