We need to develop a new research field
Andrew Gallagher has mapped research that links sustainable urban development, urbanization, and the food system. Andrew is a coordinator at SLU Urban Futures and leads the collaboration project Food and City, run by the SLU Future Food and SLU Urban Futures platforms.
– There are many projects at SLU focusing on food and cities, such as urban farming. But we have not yet reached the core, which is how to systematically integrate food issues into urban studies, like landscape architecture or urban planning. This is necessary to understand the deeper connection between the food system and urbanization. There is considerable research abroad, but not yet in Sweden. We need to develop a new research field and strengthen the urban side of the food system, says Andrew.
Seed money and a new research program in the pipeline
To help researchers get started, SLU has announced seed funding for new interdisciplinary projects in this area. Two applications will be granted SEK 50,000 each. Public administration plays a key role in transitioning to a sustainable food system, so including it in research and innovation is crucial.
– We recently received the good news that the major research program SustainGov, which SLU is part of, was funded by Vinnova, Formas, and the Swedish Energy Agency. The goal is innovations in public administration leading to better governance. SustainGov aims to facilitate and accelerate the green transition. SLU contributes its expertise in sustainable food systems, sustainable urban development, One Health, marine ecosystem issues, natural resource management, and knowledge in policy and planning, says Fredrik Fernqvist, senior lecturer at the Department of People and Society at SLU.
Entrepreneurship and a Complex Concept
Fredrik researches horticultural science with a focus on business economics.
– There are many factors that affect entrepreneurs in the green sectors. They have a lot to consider like production, market, sustainability, soil and water quality, and regulations. You can't expect an entrepreneur to manage all this alone. A comprehensive view is really needed here, says Fredrik.
Fredrik and Håkan were involved in developing the independent university course Food Planning. They are also involved in the master's programs Sustainable Food Systems and Food and Landscape.
– It quickly became clear that it’s incredibly complex! We had to start thinking about how to teach the subject and explain the concept, says Håkan.
What Happens If Two Crises Occur Simultaneously?
Food planning involves decision-making and planning processes that consider food and its relationship to life in cities and rural areas.
– Public health, the environment, jobs, the economy, and social issues are all important components. It is a way of prioritizing food issues at local, regional, and national levels to improve society. These issues must be integrated into urban planning and politics, says Andrew.
– Our distribution system is sensitive to disruptions. We have seen this during periods of drought, the COVID pandemic, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Often, the market can solve it well and quickly, but it remains vulnerable. Crises seem to come more frequently now, and we don't know when the next one will occur. If we are unlucky, two crises will happen simultaneously, says Fredrik.
– Society at large is beginning to understand that we need better planning. But it is challenging! We have different authorities and administrations with different tasks. Coordinating them is a massive undertaking, with competition, different organizational cultures, and sometimes conflicting political priorities. It’s a huge process to transform the entire administration. It is really time to start discussing this now, Fredrik continues
Not everything gets better with planning - The key is a flexible system
– We should remember that not everything improves with planning. Many food systems are good at self-regulation. The country that had extremely planned systems for basically everything was the Soviet Union, but their food system never worked! Planning is important, but we must plan carefully and focus on the right things, says Håkan
– Exactly, it is not just about planning, but about the processes for planning. It is not just a planning document but rather how to work together effectively, Fredrik adds.
– It is not just about planning how much food to produce, by whom, and when, but rather about how we plan a system that can be flexible. We must be able to take the right measures when crises occur. It is not a linear way of thinking from fertilizer to waste recycling; we must be able to handle unforeseen disruptions, says Håkan.
Håkan and Fredrik recently co-authored a policy brief titled "Food Planning for More Sustainable Food Systems” in Swedish. Here, they explain the concept and provide advice to decision-makers on how to structure investigations and work and how to best implement decisions.
Workshop in Lund became an important meeting place
In November last year, Andrew, Håkan, and Fredrik organized a workshop in Lund on food planning in a new era. Networking was an important part of the meeting.
– It was successful because we brought in representatives working with food systems at the municipal level from the entire Skåne region. Participants could share how they handle these issues, says Andrew.
– The participants appreciated being able to talk to other actors facing similar challenges. It was loud during the breaks; it was clear there was a lot to discuss, says Håkan.
– At first, it was not entirely clear what we meant by food planning, but as we started discussing it, it became clearer. It can involve logistics or preparing food for municipal services. Participants realized they were largely part of these processes. This was an important meeting place. Food economists and dietitians know each other, but they do not know those working in other administrations, like distribution, says Fredrik.
Food Actors to meet in Uppsala in April
The workshop will be held again in April in Uppsala.
– This time, we are taking the opportunity to invite even more actors. In addition to municipal representatives, we are inviting Region Uppsala and other actors from the food system. It will be a great opportunity to network and see what can be done practically to work more integratively with food issues, says Andrew.
Text: Cajsa Lithell
