from the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development |
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JAFSCD is the world’s only community-supported journal. JAFSCD content is open access (free) thanks to the generous support of our shareholders: the JAFSCD Shareholder Consortium, Library Shareholders, a growing number of Individual Shareholders, and our six JAFSCD Partners: |
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JAFSCD article by Tianzhu Liu (INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, UMR SADAPT)
Local food systems are increasingly seen as a solution to global issues like climate change, food insecurity, and social inequality. As global food systems dominate, many public policies are now shifting toward more localized approaches. Food system planning is an emerging type of integrated local policy aiming to improve local food systems. Although “local” is a shared term used across territories, food system planning is operated at very different scales — without consensus on what “local” means. Developing food system planning at what scale remains an underexplored question.
In a new JAFSCD article, What scale for local food system planning? Insights from French case studies, author Tianzhu Liu presents her findings from an empirical study that explored how different scales of food system planning — administrative, action, and governance scales — shape the effectiveness of efforts to build sustainable and resilient food systems that meet local needs.
KEY FINDINGS
No Universal Administrative Scale for Food System Planning: There is no single administrative scale that fits all food system planning projects; each scale has unique strengths and limitations.
Small vs. Large-Scale Planning: Smaller scales enable rapid implementation but risk inefficiencies, whereas larger scales better address supply-demand balance but suffer from slow coordination and complex implementation.
Key Factors for Scale Selection: Local political will, legal competencies, and spatial appropriateness are crucial in determining the best scale for food system planning.
Defining “Local” in Practice: Localities define “local” in diverse ways, from vague descriptions like “as close as possible” to specific distances, often extending beyond administrative boundaries.
Governance Strategies and Challenges: Cross-scalar and translocal governance models are essential for successful food system planning, although the unclear distribution of responsibilities between jurisdictions complicates local action implementation.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY, PRACTICE, AND RESEARCH Recommendations for practitioners and policymakers: -
Consider local political willingness, legal capacity, and spatial appropriateness when designing food system planning.
- Establish guidelines at the national or regional level to define which scales of localities are most appropriate for specific actions.
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Develop tailored governance strategies to coordinate stakeholders and ensure effective implementation.
Important topics for future research: -
Assessment of suitable scales for specific actions and competences
- Multilevel governance models and their effectiveness
- Definition and typology of “local” regarding food systems
SHARE ON YOUR SOCIALS
Planning for local food systems is a promising approach to improve sustainability — but is there an ideal scale for food system planning? A new @JAFSCD article dives into this, exploring the question of the scale for planning through the multiple dimensions of administration, action, and governance. Case studies from France offer valuable insights into building sustainable food systems worldwide. #LocalFood #Sustainability #UrbanPlanning #FoodSystems
Read the @JAFSCD article for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2025.141.015 |
Photo above: A farmers market in France. Photo copyright © by Tianzhu Liu. |
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Seeking input from prospective authors and reviewers on 2-page JAFSCD Food System Briefs |
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In collaboration with its partners and the University of Kentucky and Dalhousie University, JAFSCD is preparing to publish three ongoing briefs series. Entitled JAFSCD Food System Program, Policy, and Practice Briefs, one series will focus on Value Chain Coordination, one on Sustainable Diets (i.e., healthful consumption that is also good for the planet), and one on Sustainable Production Programming (e.g., agroecological practices education).
The JAFSCD Food System Briefs will: - be peer-reviewed, and we will encourage authors to team up with experienced researchers, practitioners, consultants, professionals, and government officials to co-author the briefs.
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be short and will distill currently best-known practices in local and regional food systems development across the key food system domains: production, distribution, and consumption.
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summarize well-researched and well-established policies and practices that address wicked problems (or “wicked solutions”) in food systems development, and will emphasize circularity (waste minimization and reuse) whenever appropriate. References and links to lengthier reports and peer-reviewed literature must be included as well.
COMPLETE THE SURVEY HERE Survey closes on Friday, February 21
More information on JAFSCD Briefs is available here.
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Building Strong Retail Systems for Local Farmers and Local Food
With about one dozen farm stops now successfully up and running and several more approaching launch, we believe now is the perfect time to gather, learn from one another, share best practices, and envision the role we’d like to see farm stops play in our local food ecosystems.
Whether you operate a farm stop already, or think that you may one day want to open one in your community, our goal is to provide content useful to you as you move forward. With that in mind, we are putting together an ambitious slate of local food thought leaders, and planning a full lineup of panels on everything from fundraising and marketing, to farm relations and merchandising, while also leaving plenty of time for networking.
Speakers and panelists include Philip Ackerman-Leist, John Ikerd, Kate Krauss, Debra Tropp, Michelle Miller, Kathryn Barr, and many others. |
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