Work

Characterization of Sustainable Food Initiatives: Preliminary Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: A sustainable food system can be described as a system that ensures economic, social, and environmental sustainability to secure food and nutrition for current and future generations. The present research aimed to identify and characterize sustainable food initiatives to understand the governance framework, the motivations, the reasons for success, the typology of actors involved, and future prospects. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for seven initiatives between June and August 2024. The interviews were performed online, recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. The results showed that the main drivers of the initiatives relate to food, sustainability, and economic and social dimensions. Moreover, one of the reasons for the success of the initiatives is the availability and commitment of the people involved. These initiatives were created to meet local needs and promote sustainability as well as to encourage economic circularity, knowledge sharing, rural and local valorization, and waste management.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su17052035

Authors: Sofia G. Florença, Ana Luísa Amaral, Filipa Costa, Raquel P. F. Guiné, Cristina A. Costa

Institution: Polytechnic Institute of Viseu

Language: English

Topic: Organic Food and Agriculture

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896