Values-Based Territorial Food Networks (VTFN): Qualifying Sustainable and Ethical Transitions of Alternative Food Networks (AFN)

This comparative literature review of local food systems, short
food supply chains, and civic food networks, subsumed under alternative
food networks (AFN), suggests converging them into the novel
umbrella-term values-based territorial food networks (VTFN). Based on
the analysis of specifi cities and shortcomings in the four concepts, VTFN
aims to enhance conceptual clarity, while the current coexistence conceals
structural and systemic commonalities—relevant for understanding
pathways to ethical and sustainable food system transformations. Taking
stock of issues in the four concepts, VTFN strives to be overarching and
pragmatic. It qualifi es AFN’s “alternativeness” through social, economic,
environmental and governance “sustainability values” and through the
co-construction of “territoriality” in varying constellations. Thus, it fosters
integrated scientifi c dialogue about conceptual determinations of
emerging networks of food system transitions worldwide.