The potential of agri-food networks in food system transformations

Agri-food systems are confronted with sustainability challenges such as climate change, price volatility and retaining consumer trust. Agri-food systems are complex, dynamic systems involving multiple actors such as science, policy, industry and civil society. To tackle these challenges, a transformation of the agri-food system towards sustainability is essential. Therefore, collective effort and actions are required. The rationale of this dissertation stems from the observation that although multiple agri-food networks arise, most of these networks fall short in realising their objective or cease before any changes are made. The aim of this dissertation thus is to explore the potential of new agrifood networks in food system transformations. We applied systems thinking, combining systems approaches and transdisciplinary research. Systems thinking in practice can help to address four societal challenges, namely sustainability as a multidimensional and normative concept, complex processes in a dynamic agri-food system, new types of organisation in agri-food networks, and the presence of multiple heterogeneous actors with diverse visions. Throughout the dissertation, eight agri-food networks were analysed and compared with an emphasis on multi-actor collaboration, their governance, their culture and reflexive evaluation