Programme

Dr. Julia Fohrafellner
AGES, Austria

Matthew F. Gibson (Cornell University, USA)

Food systems actors are key enablers or barriers to transformation toward social and ecological sustainability. This study (Gibson and Gibson, 2024) surveyed the priorities for transformation among alternative food systems actors in the UK (n = 372). 58 priorities were identified, and most frequent were those regarding agroecological, organic and regenerative production, the localisation of food systems, reducing animal sourced foods and dietary change, and addressing power relations. Comparison with UK government and international food policy grey literature highlights a disconnect between mainstream and alternative actor visions of future food systems.

Ulrich Schmutz and Lopa Saxena (CAWR, Coventry University, UK)

The Coventry Agroecological Living Lab (CALL) was established in 2023 as part of the EU funded Agroecology for Europe project, with a unique focus on urban and peri-urban growing. The LL comprises predominantly smaller-scale growers, for whom food growing may be secondary to goals such mental wellbeing or horticultural training. The participants have come together to share knowledge, skills and even plants and have worked to improve crop diversity as a way to be more climate resilient.

Dr. Julia Fohrafellner and Ana Pires da Silva