Este artículo está sujeto a una licencia CC BY 4.0., Despite the extensive literature on <Local Agro-food Systems (LAFS), which involves research on local food identity and organisational proximity, the environmental sustainability of these systems has rarely been addressed. This paper develops a new concept called Local Agroecological Food Systems (LAEFS), which focuses the research not only on local food identity, but also on agroecological principles. We aim to conduct a reflexive review of the literature on the conceptual factors attempting to describe the particular characteristics of LAEFS (distinguishing these from LAFS). We explore five axes of analysis: (a) to establish a compromise at the local level between agro-food sectoral specialisation on the one hand and greater cultivated biodiversity and a more diversified economic structure on the other; (b) to geographically and commercially shorten food channels to the fullest extent; (c) to construct new institutional formulae in the fields of logistics, distribution and public procurement for the scaling up of sustainable food; (d) to develop a participatory, bottom-up, multi-stakeholder and multi-level territorial governance; and (e) to reduce the metabolic profile of food systems by reorganising rural-urban linkages. One of the principal objectives of LAEFS should involve redesigning agricultural and food systems at a scale greater than that of the farm (territory or landscape). This requires both a major public policy push and sustainable territorial governance that incorporate an approach based on territory, food systems and agroecology., This publication is framed within the research grant “Sustainable food networks as chains
of values for agroecological and food transition. Implications for territorial public policies” (PID2020-
112980GB-C21 and PID2020-112980GB-C22; 2021-2025), funded by the Spanish Scientific, Technical
and Innovation Research Plan: MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033; and by the project “FOODTRANSITIONS” (TED2021-129660A-I00), funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the
European Union funds from “Next Generation EU”/PRTR., Peer reviewed

Este artículo está sujeto a una licencia CC BY 4.0, The efforts of agroecology-oriented farmers and peasants’ organizations have been studied in depth in relation to their political expression, but less so with regard to the forms they adopt to strengthen the socio-economic viability of small- and medium-sized farms within sustainable food systems. Whilst farmers’ self-organization represents a core process in the development of Agroecology-based Local Agri-food Systems (ALAS), the development of collective, economic structures among agroecology-oriented farmers’ is still weak. In an attempt to understand why and how agroecology-oriented farmers are constructing their own position within ALAS, and the challenges they are facing in this sense, we conducted a qualitative study on the self-organizational processes and structures of five Agroecology-Oriented Farmers’ Groups in Spain. Based on 27 interviews and six online, participatory workshops, our results reveal different reasons for joining and setting up farmers’ groups as non-mixed collective spaces, with instrumental and social factors constituting the principal motivations. Politics and advocacy aroused controversy and were only observed in the biggest, most powerful and well-structured organizations. The main challenges identified refer to the precariousness and isolation of farmers, as well as of the different local groups. The weakness of the Agroecology-Oriented Farmers’ Groups highlights the need for further action-oriented research and accompaniment, The work was supported by the European Climate Foundation [G-2103-61796]; Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología [(PID2020-112980GB-C22) and (PID2020-112980GB-C21)]; Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico [Third Sector Grants, Call 2022], Peer reviewed

Con autorización de la revista para autores CSIC, En este artículo, los autores analizan el concepto de food hubs cooperativos, así como el rol que juegan en la
reducción de la vulnerabilidad de los sistemas agroalimentarios locales y los principales factores que hay que considerar para
fortalecer su viabilidad económica. Finalmente, destacan algunos buenos ejemplos de food hubs en España, principalmente
de orientación agroecológica., Este trabajo ha sido realizado en el ámbito del proyecto coordinado del Plan Estatal de Investigación: “Salto de Escala y Logística Asociativa en
Ciudades-Región: la Comunidad de Madrid” (PID2020-112980GB-C22), Peer reviewed

Este artículo está sujeto a una licencia CC BY 4.0, Various aspects of sustainable food consumption have been studied within the Social Sciences in the last years. Specifically, the analysis of motivations and determinants behind alternative economic practices has gained prominence in disciplines such as Sociology, Psychology, Economics and Marketing, seeking to understand, measure and calculate consumers’ decision-making processes and actions through the application of cognitive theories and qualitative predictive models. Anthropology—more specifically through the practice of ethnography—, has also made significant contributions, mostly toward the analysis and description of contemporary cooperative experiences, both in rural and urban settings. However, within this field, few studies have focused on the underlying values, as well as the symbolic, emotional/affective, and identity-based incentives that exist behind the participation in sustainable, pro-environmental, organic, and fair-trade food initiatives. This kind of perspective might help in comprehending how different people or social groups conceptualize their habits and link them to certain representations or beliefs. At the same time, it can provide information about the way in which action-related values appear in discourse and become embodied, whether they are uniform, conflicting, precede practice or emerge as a post-personal reflection of those involved. Through a review, synthesis, and analysis of qualitative literature—meta-ethnography—this paper seeks to present an overview of available academic work on the social, political, personal, material, and ethical reasons associated with partaking in alternative food networks. The findings will be analyzed and discussed in relation to a constructivist perspective, as well as debates around identity, social distinction, and gender., This publication is framed within the research grant “Sustainable food networks as chains of values for agroecological and food transition. Implications for territorial public policies” (PID2020-112980GB-C21 and PID2020-112980GB-C22; 2021-2025), funded by the Spanish Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research Plan: MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033., Peer reviewed

Este artículo está sujeto a una licencia CC BY 4.0, The paper attempts to investigate the capacity of agroecological cooperative supermarkets in Spain to promote scaling of food products by means of a double perspective. We first employ a vertical scaling approach to analyze the issues affecting the governance and collective organization of the Cooperative Supermarket Network (CSN), set up in May 2022 and comprising eleven Spanish supermarkets. Secondly, we employ a perspective of horizontal scaling to investigate the potential for increased numbers of members, as well as the geographic and sociodemographic variables at play which limit the abovementioned scaling: to this end we use the case study of the cooperative supermarket La Osa, opened in Madrid in December 2020. We adopt a methodology based on participatory action research throughout the years 2022 and 2023, in which the research team was involved in the real processes of creation and development of the CSN or of La Osa. The study confirms the hypothesis that agroecological cooperative supermarkets constitute a formula for efficient retail distribution for scaling sustainable food in Spain. As opposed to the first-generation options for responsible consumption, these supermarkets appear to contribute to generating significant economies of scale and scope. In terms of vertical scaling, joint provision of services, as well as the gaining of political influence in society, constitute the main advantages in relation to the functioning of the CSN. While the recruitment of new members has heretofore been considered a priority in horizontal scaling, particular emphasis should also be placed on loyalty strategies targeting existing members., Peer reviewed

In the EU, policies towards territorial development and the sustainability of agrifood
systems are exemplified above all in Pillar II of the Common Agricultural
Policy (CAP). However, policies for the promotion of sustainable food systems
and networks are mainly driven by municipalities and large cities. In order to
understand multi-level configurations of policies to promote Sustainable
Food Systems (SFS), this paper strives to identify the challenges that municipal
policymakers face in implementing sustainable agri-food policies, from a multilevel
governance perspective. To this end, and through in-depth interviews and
secondary documentation analysis, the policies implemented in 10 different
municipalities of the Madrid Region (Spain) are studied and the challenges these
municipalities are facing are analysed from a multi-scale and territorialised
perspective. The following research objectives are addressed: (1) description of
the type of policies implemented for the promotion of SFS and the narrative
frameworks in which they are shaped; (2) identification of challenges of local
policies to support SFS especially governance challenges; and (3) proposals for
the promotion of sustainable food systems through a multi-level, territorialised
governance perspective. The paper identifies three main axes of tension and
discoordination—municipal Vs regional competences; agricultural vs. food
policies; and rural vs. urban territories—that constrains the sustainability
potential of multi-level agro food policies. Finally, we provide a comprehensive,
sustainable scheme to assess local agri-food governance throughout a multilevel
and multi-actor approach, setting interrelations between the different
levels, actors and agencies involved to overcome the lock-ins identified., The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This publication is framed within the research grant “Sustainable food networks as chains of values for agroecological and food transition. Implications for territorial public policies” (PID2020-112980GB-C22; 2021–2025), funded by the Spanish Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research Plan: MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033., Peer reviewed

The Rise of Citizens Voices for a Greener
Europe” project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon
2020 research and innovation programme under grant
agreement No. 101037328. They also acknowledge the support
of the R&D Unit Centre for Functional Ecology—Science for
People and the Planet (CFE), with reference UIDB/04004/
2020.
Upscaling and Cooperative Logistics in City-Regions.
Comunidad de Madrid” (PID2020-112980GB-C22), funded by
the Spanish Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research
(Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación)., Peer reviewed

This publication is framed within the research grant Sustainable food networks as chains of values for agroecological and food transition. Implications for territorial public policies (PID2020-112980GBC21 and PID2020-112980GBC22; 2021–2026), funded by the Spanish Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research Plan: MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, Peer reviewed

This paper examines how food-related values are prioritised among consumers predominantly engaged in different Sustainable Food Initiatives (SFI) in the Madrid Region. The analysis draws on survey data collected among consumers involved in consumer groups, community-supported agriculture schemes, cooperative supermarkets, farmers’ markets, and organic food shops, and focuses on differences across initiatives characterised by distinct organisational arrangements and degrees of commitment. A Best-Worst Scaling approach is used to analyse seven food-related values, including values associated with collective concerns (environmental sustainability, sense of community, localness, and social justice and economic equity), alongside values linked to more individual interests (health care, price, and food appearance). Results show that environmental sustainability and health care tend to be prioritised, whereas food appearance is generally assigned lower importance. Differences across initiatives indicate that forms of participation involving higher levels of commitment and active engagement are associated with a stronger relative emphasis on collective-oriented values. At the same time, material constraints remain salient, with high prices and limited product availability consistently reported as the main barriers to increasing the consumption of sustainably produced food. Based on patterns of value prioritisation, four analytically derived consumer segments are identified: eco-locavore, sustainability activist, one-health focused, and self-care and price focused consumers. Overall, the findings highlight the heterogeneity of value orientations and consumption practices across SFI, and point to the role of organisational and material conditions in shaping participation in sustainable food consumption in metropolitan contexts., This publication is framed within the research grant “Sustainable food networks as chains of values for agroecological and food transition. Implications for territorial public policies” (PID2020-112980 GB-C22; 2021-2025), funded by the Spanish Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research Plan: MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033., Peer reviewed

In recent decades we have witnessed, from numerous academic fields, an exponential growth in studies on sustainable food practices, focusing on aspects as diverse as the organization of community initiatives, new agricultural techniques, food security and sovereignty, emerging dietary patterns and change-promoting social movements, among others. Within the cultural aspects that intersect in these practices, the ethical-moral components – i.e. the core values that underlie their participation and development—remain largely unexplored, demanding greater attention from disciplines, such as anthropology. Values play a fundamental role in shaping sustainable food practices, influencing individual choices, community behaviors, policy decisions and the expansion of new ways of understanding supply chains. The different actors involved in these emerging food cultures hold and exercise several types of values, according to their needs, backgrounds and contexts of participation. This article presents an ethnographic exploration of the value-sets identified within Alternative Food Networks, more precisely the drivers and narratives of farmers, producers and suppliers involved in sustainable initiatives in the region of Castile and León, Spain. The findings will examine the social, environmental/ecological and economic/political dimensions present in their experiences, with special attention to the possible hierarchies, overlaps and conflicts that may exist between the different identified attributes., Peer reviewed

[EN] Although it is difficult to speak of anthropology of food until the 1980s, some of the ethnographies carried out in Spain between 1950 and 1975 raised reflections on food uses and practices that can contribute to a better understanding of some of the current research in this field. This article focuses on some ethnographies that, because of their contributions, could be considered as forerunners for current Food Anthropology in Spain. It is not so much a scholarly exercise but an attempt to show how research carried out decades ago introduced some concepts and questions which, analysed with different methodologies, maintain their relevance. To this end, after some contextual references, this text focuses on the contributions made by José María Arguedas, Susan Tax Freeman, Ramón Valdés and Renate Lellep who, from different but convergent positions, payed special attention to questions related to food that arise in their ethnographies., [ES] Si bien resulta difícil hablar de antropología de la alimentación hasta entrados los años 80 del pasado siglo XX, algunas de las etnografías realizadas en España entre 1950 y 1975 plantearon reflexiones sobre los usos y prácticas alimentarias que pueden contribuir a comprender mejor algunas de las actuales investigaciones en ese campo. Este artículo se centra, justamente, en algunas de esas etnografías que la investigación antropológica sobre la alimentación debiera tener presente. No se trata tanto de un ejercicio erudito sino más bien de mostrar cómo investigaciones realizadas hace décadas introdujeron algunos conceptos y cuestiones que, analizados con metodologías diferentes, mantienen su relevancia. A tal efecto, tras unas referencias contextuales, este texto se centra en las contribuciones realizadas por José María Arguedas, Susan Tax Freeman, Ramón Valdés y Renate Lellep quienes, desde posiciones diferentes, pero con convergencias, prestaron una especial atención en sus etnografías a las cuestiones relativas a la alimentación., Peer reviewed

The paper attempts to investigate the capacity of agroecological cooperative supermarkets in Spain to promote scaling of food products by means of a double perspective. We first employ a vertical scaling approach to analyze the issues affecting the governance and collective organization of the Cooperative Supermarket Network (CSN), set up in May 2022 and comprising eleven Spanish supermarkets. Secondly, we employ a perspective of horizontal scaling to investigate the potential for increased numbers of members, as well as the geographic and sociodemographic variables at play which limit the abovementioned scaling: to this end we use the case study of the cooperative supermarket La Osa, opened in Madrid in December 2020. We adopt a methodology based on participatory action research throughout the years 2022 and 2023, in which the research team was involved in the real processes of creation and development of the CSN or of La Osa. The study confirms the hypothesis that agroecological cooperative supermarkets constitute a formula for efficient retail distribution for scaling sustainable food in Spain. As opposed to the first-generation options for responsible consumption, these supermarkets appear to contribute to generating significant economies of scale and scope. In terms of vertical scaling, joint provision of services, as well as the gaining of political influence in society, constitute the main advantages in relation to the functioning of the CSN. While the recruitment of new members has heretofore been considered a priority in horizontal scaling, particular emphasis should also be placed on loyalty strategies targeting existing members.