Anthology Outline
Local food systems (LFSs) are often presented as diverse alternatives to the globalized, industrial, and largely unsustainable food systems that dominate food production and access. The study of LFSs dates back to the 1970s, highlighting the problems of the dominant system and pointing toward re-localization, democratization, and ecological sustainability (Feenstra, 1997; Henderson, 1998). In recent years, research in LFSs has expanded considerably, crossing multiple disciplines.
Studies of LFSs have explored a range of themes, including sustainability and the environment, community and social relations, health and nutrition, and governance and policy (Enthoven & Van den Broeck; Stein & Santini, 2021). Yet, much remains to be understood. Sensory and aesthetic dimensions, digital infrastructures, power, labor and justice, temporalities, and more-than-human perspectives are just some areas that are still underexplored (but see Beacham, 2018; Gladkova, 2024; Pavlovich & Roche, 2024).
With the aim to expand how we think about LFSs, including locality, food, and system-making, this anthology brings together novel, alternative, and underexamined approaches to LFSs – whether theoretical, conceptual, methodological, or practical. Celebrating diversity, X and Local Food Systems invites contributors to replace X with a theme that opens up new explorations of a particular LFS, ideas of LFSs, or their various representations. We welcome contributions from across disciplines, including – but not limited to – theoretical reflections, case studies, ethnographic accounts, visual essays, and creative-critical pieces.
How to Contribute
Please submit a chapter abstract by August 30, 2025, to Emma Christensen, Roskilde University, Denmark (emch@ruc.dk), Daniel Lövgren, Uppsala University, Sweden (daniel.lovgren@im.uu.se), Steffi Siegert, Linnæus University, Sweden (steffi.siegert@lnu.se), or Hanna Leipämaa-Leskinen, University of Vaasa, Finland (hanna.leipamaa-leskinen@uwasa.fi).
Abstracts shall include:
- A tentative chapter title;
- Names and affiliations of all authors;
- Short author biographies;
- A brief description of the chapter (500-600 words).
After receiving chapter proposals, the editors will submit an anthology proposal to a high-quality publisher. Preliminary deadline for submitting the draft chapters is January 30, 2026, with final chapters due on June 30, 2026. Chapters will be between 5,000 and 8,000 words and will be peer reviewed.
Download Call for chapters as PDF:
Reference List
Beacham, J. (2018). Organising food differently: Towards a more-than-human ethics of care for the Anthropocene. Organization, 25(4), 533-549.
Enthoven, L., & Van den Broeck, G. (2021). Local food systems: Reviewing two decades of research. Agricultural systems, 193, 103226.
Feenstra, G. W. (1997). Local food systems and sustainable communities. American journal of alternative agriculture, 12(1), 28-36.
Gladkova, E. (2024). More-than-human urban food growing imaginaries: engaging with the senses. Social & Cultural Geography, 26(2), 241-265.
Henderson, E. (1998). Rebuilding local food systems from the grassroots up. Monthly Review, 50(3), 112-124.
Pavlovich, K., & Roche, M. (2024). Organising Food Systems Through Ecologies of Care: A Relational Approach. Journal of Business Ethics, 193, 459-469.
Stein, A. J., & Santini, F. (2021). The sustainability of “local” food: a review for policy-makers. Review of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies, 103, 77-89.
