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Ecovillage foodscapes: zooming in and out of sustainable food practices

Author

Listed:
  • Ciska Ulug

    (University of Groningen)

  • Elen-Maarja Trell

    (University of Groningen)

  • Lummina Horlings

    (University of Groningen)

Abstract

This article uses foodscapes as a lens to explore the potential of ecovillages’ food practices towards enhancing sustainable food systems. Ecovillages are collective projects where members attempt to integrate sustainability principles into daily community life. In these communities, food acts, not only as an element of social life, but also as a venue through which to interact with mainstream food systems and society. Yet, how food practices at ecovillages contribute to sustainable food systems remains vague. This article proposes foodscapes, as a lens, for exploring the sustainability potential of place-based food practices in ecovillages, while also directing attention to how these practices intersect with networks at broader social and spatial scales. It asks, how can we better understand and draw from sustainable food practices, when considering these as both, place-based and relational? And what is the potential and the role of ecovillage communities to contribute to broader sustainable food system change? Drawing on ethnographic and food mapping methods, the article explores selected food practices at three ecovillage communities in the United States. Using social practice theory for “zooming in” on place-based practices and “zooming out” to examine relational networks, we investigate how these communities create internally sustainable food systems, while externally bridging themselves with broader urban and rural communities. Through viewing ecovillage food practices as place-based and relational, we develop a broader and spatially-focused understanding of food system sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Ciska Ulug & Elen-Maarja Trell & Lummina Horlings, 2021. "Ecovillage foodscapes: zooming in and out of sustainable food practices," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 38(4), pages 1041-1059, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:agrhuv:v:38:y:2021:i:4:d:10.1007_s10460-021-10213-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10460-021-10213-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Michele F. Fontefrancesco & Dauro M. Zocchi & Andrea Pieroni, 2023. "The Intersections between Food and Cultural Landscape: Insights from Three Mountain Case Studies," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-25, March.
    2. Olivia M. Fleming & Tamara L. Mix, 2024. "Wild Food Foraging in Oklahoma: A Pathway to Creating Imagined Foodways and Foodscapes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-14, May.
    3. Ciska Ulug & Lummina Horlings & Elen-Maarja Trell, 2021. "Collective Identity Supporting Sustainability Transformations in Ecovillage Communities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-18, July.
    4. John J. Hyland & Áine Macken-Walsh, 2022. "Multi-Actor Social Networks: A Social Practice Approach to Understanding Food Hubs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-19, February.

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