ABSTRACT

Food systems are under pressure from population growth, climate change, resource scarcity and increasing urbanization. Alternative food networks are initiatives related to food provision that operate at a local level and are concerned with both environmental stewardship and social justice. This paper presents a case study of alternative food networks operating in Brisbane and Melbourne in order to analyze: i) their socio-economic and environmental contributions to the resilience and sustainability of urban food systems; and, ii) the limitations that alternative food networks are facing. The cases researched include examples of urban agriculture, food hubs, buyers’ groups, and specialist retailers. The results indicate that alternative food networks can improve access to healthy food, provide fairer conditions for farmers, reduce food loss/waste, increase environmental protection, and facilitate climate change adaptation. The limitations to the expansion of alternative food networks are also discussed, including the restricted access to land for growing food, low public engagement, and the dependence on volunteer labor. The paper concludes by summarizing the contribution of alternative food networks to urban food systems and identifies issues for future research.

摘要

人口增长，气候变化，资源稀缺和城市化进程日趋严峻，粮食系统面临压力。替代性粮食网络是与粮食供应有关的倡议，这些倡议在地方一级运作，并与环境管理和社会正义有关。本文介绍了一个在布里斯班和墨尔本运营的替代食品网络的案例研究，以分析：i）它们对城市食品系统的复原力和可持续性的社会经济和环境贡献；ii）替代粮食网络面临的局限性。研究的案例包括城市农业，食品中心，购买者团体和专业零售商的例子。结果表明，替代性食物网络可以改善获得健康食物的机会，为农民提供更公平的条件，减少食物损失/浪费，加强环境保护，促进适应气候变化。还讨论了扩大替代粮食网络的局限性，包括限制土地用于种植粮食，公众参与度低以及对志愿者劳动的依赖。本文通过总结替代性食物网络对城市食物系统的贡献进行总结，并确定了需要进一步研究的问题。