A field of alternative food organizations

A study of discourses, actions and goals toward food system change in Geneva, Switzerland

Bibliographic Data

ID4237481
AuthorsJohanna Huber (0000-0001-8770-8287, University of Geneva, corresponding author), Jasmine Lorenzini (0000-0002-4667-4209, University of Geneva)
Year2022
Publication date2022-03-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocio-Economic Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1475-1461 • E-ISSN: 1475-147X
DOI10.1093/ser/mwac011
OpenAlexW4213418003
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited37

While there is an abundant literature on alternative food organizations (AFOs), this research mostly consists of studies focusing on single types of food organizations. Hence, we lack a more encompassing understanding of how different types of AFOs are connected and what their collective transformative potential is within the food regime. In this article, we analyze how AFOs build a field, bring about social change collectively, and examine toward what type of change they work. Building on original survey data, network analyses and frames analyses, we propose an innovative quantitative operationalization of strategic action fields. We show that AFOs engaged in an information exchange network are more likely to hold systemic goals such as anticapitalism and food democracy than isolated AFOs. They also use more contentious action repertoires. We argue that a field of AFOs has more transformative potential than isolated organizations because they collectively challenge the status quo

Action (physics · Business · Collective action · Epistemology · Field (mathematics · Food security · Food systems · Geography · Operationalization · Political science · Public relations · Sociology · Status quo · Transformative learning · Food Waste Reduction and Sustainability · Organic Food and Agriculture · Urban Agriculture and Sustainability

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access