Democratic food citizenship and community food environments

Our food systems from production, to processing, trade, consumption, and beyond are not only fueling climate change and biodiversity loss but also lead to serious social inequalities. Given the magnitude of these challenges, scientists highlight the need for collective responsibility to act on them and engage in food-related behaviours that support the development of sustainable food systems. Participation in local food politics may be considered challenging to exercise, almost utopian. However, some scientists and activists argue that participation and engagement give individuals a sense of belonging, responsibility, and empowerment that may encourage them to commit to the environmental and social sustainability of food systems. The concept of democratic food citizenship responds to this shift from individual behaviour (e.g., consumption) to the involvement of individuals in collective action and responsibility. However, individuals possibilities to get involved in food systems are influenced by their social and physical food environments. Food environments are physical spaces where we get food, eat food, cook food, talk about food, or generally gather knowledge about food i.e., places where people come in direct contact with food and food issues. This research project focuses on the interactions between urban dwellers and their food environments at the neighbourhood scale (so-called community food environment) and how the latter may condition democratic food citizenship (i.e., participation and engagement). Using the city of London as a case study, this research combines different methods (i.e., participatory observation, interviews, and visual data) to explore urban dwellers interactions with the food environments in their neighbourhoods. This approach will address the following knowledge gaps: What are the opportunities and barriers for citizens to participate in food systems? Food environments should be examined beyond individualistic, consumption-oriented approaches. That is, what role does the neighbourhood play for citizens who want to participate in the food system? An analytical framework linking both concepts will be generated, tested, and improved based on rich observed case data. The results will contribute to the emerging research and policy agenda around the transformation of food systems towards sustainability, particularly social inclusion, and equality.

Food is more than just a source of nourishment; it plays a crucial role in shaping communities and connecting people to the wider world. This project explores how involving communities in food-related decision-making can lead to more democratic and socially just food systems. By examining community food initiatives in East-Central London through interviews, participant observation and focus groups, the research reveals how local efforts can empower people to take control of their food systems and urban spaces - i.e., food environments -, creating opportunities for greater inclusion and collaboration. One of the key findings of the project is the potential for community food initiatives to foster democratic processes. These initiatives provide platforms for local residents to engage in decisions about food production and consumption. They offer spaces where people come together to discuss their needs, share knowledge and collectively shape the future of their food systems. However, while these initiatives promote participation, they face ongoing challenges related to representation and equity. Inclusivity is thus another important topic of this research. The project highlights the need for food initiatives to ensure that all voices are heard, especially those that are typically excluded from decision-making processes. It finds that creating truly inclusive food systems requires addressing cultural and structural barriers, such as access to resources, language and social status. Although community initiatives in East-Central London are making some progress, the challenge of overcoming these barriers, particularly in the mainstream food system, remains significant. The research also shows that community food initiatives have the power to reclaim urban spaces for public use, transforming them into areas where food is grown, shared and celebrated. This not only improves local food security but also strengthens social ties. By turning unused or neglected spaces into vibrant hubs for food-related activities, these initiatives bring people together and create a sense of ownership and belonging. The project also demonstrates the importance of collective action and education in empowering communities. Through workshops, skill-building sessions and shared learning experiences, people involved in these initiatives gain the knowledge and confidence to participate more actively in shaping their local food environments. East-Central London's food environments are diverse, vibrant and dynamic. They host a wide range of initiatives that challenge the dominant structures of urban life and the broader food system. These initiatives adopt strategies ranging from radical grassroots principles to more collaborative approaches influenced by interactions with formal institutions. However, these initiatives also face struggles. Limited representation, structural inequalities and power dynamics remain significant obstacles. Ensuring that food environments become truly inclusive and democratic requires overcoming these challenges, which are often tied to wider societal issues.