Transforming food systems: Multi-stakeholder platforms driven by consumer concerns and public demands

• Published in: Global food security Vol. 32; p. 100592
• Main Authors: Herens, Marion C., Pittore, Katherine H., Oosterveer, Peter J.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-03-2022
• Subjects: Food system governance; Food system transformation; Healthier diets; Multistakeholder platforms; Multistakeholder platforms; Healthier diets; Food system governance; Food system transformation
• ISSN: 2211-9124; 2211-9124
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gfs.2021.100592

Food systems governance for healthy and sustainable diets remains a challenge. New structures are needed to better connect food systems actors. This paper argues that existing multi-stakeholder platforms (MSPs) have the potential to contribute to food systems governance by facilitating linkages between actors and scales. In a non-experimental study existing MSPs (n = 89) were explored in four countries addressing food and nutrition security. A diagnostic framework was used to identify MSP's capacities to address governance principles like system-based problem framing, boundary spanning, adaptability, inclusiveness, and transformative capacity. Existing MSPs can play a role in spanning boundaries, thereby increasing adaptability and learning, but seem less promising in shifting to systems-based narratives and thus may have limited capacity to truly transform food systems.
•Multistakeholder platforms are relevant in food systems governance for healthier diets.•Existing multistakeholder platforms are often overlooked as critical actors.•Multistakeholder platforms are not able to drive food systemic changes by themselves.•Key connectors are important as boundary spanners across scales.•Scholarly work on food systems and nutrition governance still seem separate domains.