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 SPECIAL SECTION OF PAPERS |
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Community-based circular food systems articles now underway
JAFSCD is publishing a special issue in response to the call for papers on community-based circular food systems (C-B CFSs) — local and regional food systems that emphasize a community’s health and well-being while minimizing waste and protecting shared natural resources. Over the next few weeks, JAFSCD News Flashes share the published articles; see the latest one below!
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More information on community-based circular food systems and some background on the call (now closed) can be found here. |
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The loss and waste of edible food continue to be a global issue due to inefficiencies in the modern food system. In response to this, many grassroots organizations have developed various circular economy programs aimed at diverting food from landfills and delivering it to people facing food insecurity. Analyzing the different programs being implemented, along with the barriers and facilitators they encounter, is beneficial for informing the success of future food waste diversion efforts.
In a new JAFSCD article, Retail food loss and waste reduction interventions: A scoping review, authors Caitlin Olauson Barlas, Dr. Wanda Martin, and Alejandra Fonseca-Cuevas present initial findings from a scoping review that aimed to synthesize the types of circular economy interventions targeting food loss and waste globally. Corresponding author Caitlin Olauson Barlas can be contacted at caitlin.olauson@usask.ca.
KEY FINDINGS This paper summarizes the various types of programs being implemented globally, along with brief descriptions of the factors that pose challenges or provide support to the program outcomes, as both barriers and facilitators. Barriers: - Logistical and operational hurdles
- Liability concerns
- Inconsistent and unpredictable donations
- Funding and financial resourcing
- Reliance on volunteer workforce
Facilitators: - Use of technology
- Partnerships (both informal and formal)
- Policy support and incentives
- Reducing stigma through creative redistribution
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY, PRACTICE, AND RESEARCH
This article offers recommendations for future program implementation supported by policy, practice, and research such as: - Using comparable evaluation metrics;
- Adopting a theoretical approach to food waste diversion;
- Accounting for program context; and
- Advocating for broader structural change.
SHARE ON YOUR SOCIALS
What are barriers and facilitators for reducing food loss and waste? A scoping review looks at the types of circular economy interventions that target food loss and waste globally. #foodwaste #foodloss #circulareconomy #scopingreview #communitybasedcircularfoodsystems @USask Read the full @JAFSCD article for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2025.142.027
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Photo above: Global food loss and waste persists; photo from iStock. |
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Fresh food, fair pay: Being smart about Missouri’s future
JAFSCD policy brief by Erica Williams (A Red Circle), Participants of the 2024 Fruit and Vegetable Policy Convening, Lyndsey Ellis (A Red Circle), Sagata Chatterjee (St. Louis University), Thi Nguyen (Nguyen Education and Workforce Consulting), and Sarah Anderson (Nguyen Education and Workforce Consulting)
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In a new JAFSCD policy brief, authors Erica Williams, Lyndsey Ellis, Sagata Chatterjee, Thi Nguyen, and Sarah Anderson present policy recommendations for balancing adequate compensation for farmers with the community’s access to affordable produce—as a clear path forward for Missouri. Their findings derive from the input of 95 participants in the Fruit and Vegetable Policy Convening, hosted by A Red Circle and University of Missouri Extension in February 2024, from discussions on nutrition, farming, and policy solutions.
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The Fruit and Veggie Convening, a two-and-a-half day summit, was organized to discuss barriers related to food pricing and policy solutions, while simultaneously voicing the support for a community grocery store. The majority of participants (including community members, farmers, food advocates, nonprofit personnel, policymakers and stakeholders) were in favor of launching a neighborhood food market that increases access to nutritious produce and, in turn, boosts citizens’ health. The Convening also placed emphasis on determining policies that affect food pricing and how the current food production system disproportionately disadvantages low-income communities.
Although it was initially challenging to get all the planners to focus on the main problem question, participants came up with thoughtful, concrete policy recommendations for state legislators to take into consideration. This policy brief provides suggestions that could impact various categories of the food supply chain and ensure the success of future Convenings, along with Missouri’s welfare. SHARE ON YOUR SOCIALS
Fresh food, fair pay: Being smart about Missouri’s food system future means balancing adequate compensation for farmers with community access to affordable produce. Read a new policy brief from @ARedCircle and colleagues. #foodjustice #foodaccess #sustainability #nutrition Read the @JAFSCD article for free at https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2025.142.026
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Photo above: Welcome session of the Fruit and Vegetable Policy Convening in St. Louis held at the Il Monastero facility at St. Louis University on February 28, 2024, with speaker Erica Williams, founder of A Red Circle and co-host of the Convening. Photo by Caitlin Ung, A Red Circle Outreach & Media Specialist.
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JOB OPPORTUNITY IN VALUE CHAIN COORDINATION! | |
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The Food Connection at the University of Kentucky (TFC) is seeking a Post Doctoral Scholar to conduct applied research on value chain coordination (VCC) in local and regional food systems.
This is a unique and high-impact postdoctoral researcher position, created in partnership with TFC, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Local and Regional Foods Division (LRFD), and the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD). The postdoctoral researcher will lead a novel multi-institution research initiative that results in scholarly publications, stakeholder-facing technical assistance resources, and policy recommendations at local, regional, and national scales. Hybrid remote/on-site (Lexington, KY) applicants are welcome!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS OR TO APPLY | |
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JAFSCD SISTER PROGRAM NEWS |
The Finding Your Future in Food Systems webinar series provides participants with connections and insights to help them identify next steps for their careers. Speakers for the April 23 session: -
Hakeem Holmes, NCAT
- Zainab Pixler, Cleveland Department of Public Health
- Tiffany Bellfield El-Amin, Kentucky Black Farmers Association
Register now for free! And see more upcoming NAFSN events — like the NAFSN Book Club (April 26) and CARAT Information Session (April 28)
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