Glossary

AR is an approach to research that aims both at taking action and creating knowledge or theory about that action:

• Research in action, rather than research about action  AR uses a scientific approach to study the resolution of important social or organisational issues together with those who experience these issues directly 

• AR works through a cyclical four-step process of consciously and deliberately: planning, taking action and evaluating the action, leading to further planning and so on.

(Coughlan, P. and Coghlan, D., 2002). 

An agrifood system is a set of infrastructures, activities, people, institutions, resources, policies, and norms that interact with each other and with inter-related systems to produce food and agricultural products for human consumption and use. The agrifood system also has a number of other functions, including support of livelihoods and provision of ecosystem goods and services (FAO Food Systems).

The Farm to Fork Strategy is at the heart of the European Green Deal aiming to make food systems fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly.

European Commission: Farm to Fork

Based on the 1996 World Food Summit, food security is defined when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

World Bank: Food security

lnclusivity is an approach to ensure that everyone, regardless of their sociaI, economic or politicaI status and identities (including race, ethnicity, gender, age, beliefs, geographical location, health status, migrant status, etc.), is fully and actively involved in and benefitting from development processes.

In the project we apply this definition to all types of stakeholder (firms, consumers, etc.) in relation to their access to sustainable production and consumption opportunities.

The definition of local food is not easy to provide as there is no unique commony accepted definition.

Definition discussion: Brune et al., 2023

Organic agriculture is an integrated production management system that promotes and enhances agroecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It emphasizes the use of natural inputs (i.e. mineral and products derived from plants) and the renunciation of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides (FAO, 2020).

Networks together with shared norms, values and understandings that facilitate co-operation within or among groups (OECD, 2001)

Networks together with shared norms, values and understandings that facilitate co-operation within or among groups (OECD, 2001)

Sustainable consumption and production refers to “the use of services and related products, which respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life while minimizing the use of natural resources and toxic materials as well as the emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle of the service or product so as not to jeopardize the needs of future generations”.

UNEP: Sustainable consumption and production

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the. part of the United Nations agenda for  sustainable development by 2030. Adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, the SDGs are a call for action by all countries – poor, rich and middle-income – to promote prosperity while protecting the environment. They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, equality and job opportunities while tackling climate change and working to preserve our ocean and forests.

United Nations: Sustainable Development Goals

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO), sustainable diets are dietary patterns related to low environmental impacts, accessibility, affordability, security, equality and cultural acceptability (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization, 2019).

World Health Organization. (2019). Sustainable healthy diets: Guiding principles. Food & Agriculture Org.

An urban agrifood system is a subsystem of the larger agrifood system with focus and impact within and beyond urban areas.