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Towards Territorially Embedded, Equitable and Resilient Food Systems? Insights from Grassroots Responses to COVID-19 in Italy and the City Region of Rome

Author

Listed:
  • Simona Zollet

    (Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8529, Japan)

  • Luca Colombo

    (Italian Foundation for Research in Organic and Biodynamic Agriculture (FIRAB), 00159 Rome, Italy)

  • Paola De Meo

    (Terra Nuova, Viale Liegi 10, 00198 Rome, Italy)

  • Davide Marino

    (Department of Bioscience and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy)

  • Steven R. McGreevy

    (Research Department, Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Kyoto 603-8047, Japan)

  • Nora McKeon

    (Department of Economics, International University College, University of Rome 3, 147, 00153 Rome, Italy)

  • Simona Tarra

    (Department of Bioscience and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy)

Abstract

The negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have further exposed and exacerbated the structural weaknesses and inequalities embedded in the global industrial agri-food system. While the mainstream narrative continues to emphasise the importance of ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of global supply chains to counter COVID-related disruptions, the pandemic has also highlighted the resilience of small-scale, sustainable family farming and of spatially and socially embedded food systems. Based on a quantitative and qualitative analysis of three surveys, this study examines organic and agroecological farmers’ responses to the first COVID-related lockdown (March–May 2020) in Italy, as well as the responses of grassroots alternative food networks (AFN) in the city region of Rome. The results show how local grassroots action played a significant role in ensuring food access, provisioning, and distribution, often in the face of delayed or insufficient action of mainstream food system actors and institutions. These grassroots responses identify opportunities and barriers for agri-food system transformation away from neoliberal, market-based interventions and towards policies that support food sovereignty and democracy in the context of localised, agroecology-based and more resilient agri-food systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Simona Zollet & Luca Colombo & Paola De Meo & Davide Marino & Steven R. McGreevy & Nora McKeon & Simona Tarra, 2021. "Towards Territorially Embedded, Equitable and Resilient Food Systems? Insights from Grassroots Responses to COVID-19 in Italy and the City Region of Rome," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-24, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:5:p:2425-:d:504756
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