A 'Turtle Model' of Food System Transformations: Embracing Citizens' Diverse Values and Knowledge in Change Processes

TL;DR

This paper introduces a 'turtle model' for food system change that incorporates diverse citizen values and knowledge, emphasizing democratic governance and systemic transformation, exemplified by case study in Dublin.

Contribution

It proposes a novel 'turtle model' theory of change integrating citizen diversity into food system transformation and demonstrates its application in Dublin, Ireland.

Findings

Citizen engagement can activate ecological awareness.

Inclusive governance fosters sustainable food practices.

Cities serve as key sites for food system innovation.

Abstract

We explore the challenges and opportunities of transitioning towards sustainable food systems through the lens of democratic food governance fostering inclusive and systemic transformation. Drawing on concepts of wicked problems and systems thinking, we propose a theory of change represented as a 'turtle model' that embraces the diversity of citizens' values and knowledge to highlight multiple avenues of transformation. As quadruple helix innovation and governance hubs, cities can be hotspots for food system transformations. We illustrate this for Dublin, Ireland, where local citizens' value-based food identities were galvanized to activate ecological awareness and promote sustainable seafood consumption. Within this democratic food governance framework, approaches such as open science, transdisciplinarity, and citizen engagement are fit-for-purpose to engage diverse food actors from government, industry, academia, and civil society in shared dialogue and action to transform food systems.