The solution cannot be conventionalized

Protecting the alterity of fairer and more sustainable food networks

Raquel Ajates Gonzalez

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed)

8 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The environmental, health, social justice and socio-economic challenges related to food production and consumption that have been extensively discussed in the literature, can be considered merely symptoms of a dysfunctional system. In contrast, in this chapter I argue that one of the biggest challenges of all facing the food system is in fact the continuous co-optation of potential solutions by the dominant regime, which perpetuates current dynamics and suffocates sustainable alternatives. This chapter discusses solution-based strategies ideated by actors operating in alternative food networks; their aim is to fight the marketization of social justice and ecological public health ideals and practices by and for the benefit of industrial food regimes. A layered framework to analyze these strategies is proposed around four interconnected categories: rediscovering new allies, fostering diversity, rethinking access to resources while redefining success and democratizing knowledge production. The four strategies come together as a solution to address two key challenges to fairer and more sustainable food systems: lack of diversity in conventional food relations and risk of co-optation of alternative practices.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSustainable Food Futures
Subtitle of host publicationMultidisciplinary Solutions
EditorsJessica Duncan, Megan Bailey
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
PublisherRoutledge
ISBN (Electronic)9781138206168
ISBN (Print)9781138207004
Publication statusPublished - 15 Aug 2017

Publication series

NameRoutledge Studies in Food, Society and the Environment
PublisherRoutledge

Fingerprint

foreignness
food
social justice
knowledge production
allies
public health
regime
lack
health
resources
economics

Keywords

  • Solidarity economy
  • Diversity
  • Co-optation
  • lternative food systems
  • Multi-stakeholder co-operatives

Cite this

Ajates Gonzalez, R. (2017). The solution cannot be conventionalized: Protecting the alterity of fairer and more sustainable food networks. In J. Duncan, & M. Bailey (Eds.), Sustainable Food Futures: Multidisciplinary Solutions (Routledge Studies in Food, Society and the Environment). United Kingdom: Routledge.
Ajates Gonzalez, Raquel. / The solution cannot be conventionalized : Protecting the alterity of fairer and more sustainable food networks. Sustainable Food Futures: Multidisciplinary Solutions. editor / Jessica Duncan ; Megan Bailey. United Kingdom : Routledge, 2017. (Routledge Studies in Food, Society and the Environment).
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Ajates Gonzalez, R 2017, The solution cannot be conventionalized: Protecting the alterity of fairer and more sustainable food networks. in J Duncan & M Bailey (eds), Sustainable Food Futures: Multidisciplinary Solutions. Routledge Studies in Food, Society and the Environment, Routledge, United Kingdom.

The solution cannot be conventionalized : Protecting the alterity of fairer and more sustainable food networks. / Ajates Gonzalez, Raquel.

Sustainable Food Futures: Multidisciplinary Solutions. ed. / Jessica Duncan; Megan Bailey. United Kingdom : Routledge, 2017. (Routledge Studies in Food, Society and the Environment).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed)

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KW - Diversity

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KW - lternative food systems

KW - Multi-stakeholder co-operatives

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Ajates Gonzalez R. The solution cannot be conventionalized: Protecting the alterity of fairer and more sustainable food networks. In Duncan J, Bailey M, editors, Sustainable Food Futures: Multidisciplinary Solutions. United Kingdom: Routledge. 2017. (Routledge Studies in Food, Society and the Environment).

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