Exploring social innovation for transforming food systems

Abstract

To achieve transformation in food systems, there is a need for social change and innovation in how people grow, trade and consume food. This paper explores how the concept of social innovation can help understand the processes of developing novel solutions that potentially contribute to transforming food systems for health and sustainability. Drawing on a set of case studies in the UK, our analysis shows that food system social innovation is found in: place-based initiatives such as community hubs, cafes and therapeutic growing space; supply chains and food access for social justice and sustainability; and food behaviour change activities that alter consumption and purchasing. We also identify key social innovation processes, including collaborative partnerships for co-learning and developing solutions, developing alternative social enterprise business models and engaging with policy and institutional change. Challenges facing social innovation are identified, along with processes for scaling up impact on food systems.This article is part of the theme issue 'Transforming terrestrial food systems for human and planetary health'.

Keywords: behaviour change; business model; community engagement; food systems; social innovation; transformation.

Figure 1.

Food system social innovation framework.