This paper assesses the extent to which the recommendations of 41 food reports could transform the food system. It argues that few reports are targeting “leverage points” that could result in the most change, and that reports often neglect the implications of power differences between actors.

On 8 December 2021, TABLE hosted and recorded an open discussion about power in the food system with representatives from civil society, academia, media and the private sector.  At TABLE we recognise that our own biases and perspectives influence how we think about power in the food system. The purpose of this event was to hear a range of different views and understandings of power. This kick off event for our power theme helps us think about who and what shapes, controls and influences past, present and future food systems.  

This open-access book looks at the approaches that people take towards agroecological transitions. It defines two clusters: a “determinist” perspective which focuses on achieving a predefined end goal for the transition to agroecology, and an “open-ended” perspective which leaves more room for changing goals.

The International Journal of Health Policy and Management has released a special issue on the political economy of food systems, including an editorial, eight review articles and 11 original articles. 

This paper analyses the concept of “trust” in relation to engaging “Big Food” in food systems transformations. Drawing on case studies on plastic packaging and the United Nations Food Systems Summit, the authors argue that the role of large multinational corporations should be limited to responding to requests for information and adhering to regulation. “Big Food” should not be involved in setting research or policy agendas, says the paper.

A global youth coalition has published an open letter calling for governments and businesses to prioritise healthy and sustainable diets. It targets COP26, as well as the UN’s biodiversity COP, the Nutrition for Growth Summit, Stockholm+50 and other global fora. 

This article examines different visions about how global food systems should be governed, focusing on two main areas of contestation: authority and legitimacy. The authors use the United Nations Food Systems Summit (and its historical context) as a starting point for discussion; the 2021 UNFSS was heavily criticised by the food sovereignty movement for its perceived links to large corporations, philanthropic organisations and powerful states.