Downshifting towards voluntary simplicity: the process of reappraising the local

Nuga, Mari; Eimermann, Marco; Hedberg, Charlotta

doi:10.1080/04353684.2023.2211600

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The narrowness of networks and the high overlap between activities engaged in dfp may also enhance the reproduction of social values across generations and between genders. The changing (and shrinking) demography of the inland North [3,23], however, might lead to greater group differences in the future as the social and geographic distances between dfp participants increases.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ageing and a decline of the farmer population has already been identified as one key marker of changing domestic and smallholder farming in the North [21]. Much less, however, is known about non-commercial forms of hobby farming or cottage gardening in people's private backyards, despite popular assumptions that such practices are widespread, including among second home owners, down-shifters (i.e., people pursuing a simpler and less consumerist lifestyle) and migrant communities [22,23]. It is also unknown how the social dynamics of food production and distribution might differ between farming and other dfp activities (hunting, fishing, and foraging), which typically extend beyond people's private properties (and ideas of "domestic" production in the strictest sense of the word) into wider community-owned domains.…”

Section: The Social and Institutional Context For Domestic Food Produ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Who Gives? Non-Commercial Distribution Networks in Domestic Food Production in the Inland North of Sweden

Carson,

Brunet Johansson,

Carson

2024

Sustainability

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This paper examines the social context of “domestic food production” (dfp) in the inland North of Sweden, with a focus on understanding the contributions of non-commercial food distribution to local food security and sustainable rural community-building. We report on the findings of an exploratory pilot study that included an online survey of 305 people who engaged in at least one dfp activity (hunting, fishing, foraging, or farming). The aims were to uncover common social practices of dfp, as well as to identify key values attached to dfp, the extent of commercial and non-commercial distribution of home-produced food, and motivations to give away food. The main findings emphasize the social nature of dfp activities, with the vast majority of respondents undertaking dfp in groups or as part of formal clubs. Key values attached to dfp included social and community-related aspects, while commercial interests were limited. Respondents were more likely to engage in non-commercial distribution networks, usually involving close family and friends. Food givers mostly cited social factors as their main motivations rather than other food-related aspects (such as food security, health benefits, or food waste). Food givers were also likely to receive food from others, emphasizing the relatively narrow and reciprocal character of non-commercial food networks. We conclude that non-commercial dfp networks may be expanded to the broader community by exploiting the social nature of dfp and encouraging generalized reciprocity led by dfp clubs. This could potentially reduce the negative impacts of food deserts whilst also stimulating community interactions, learning and local dfp communities of practice.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Social and Institutional Context For Domestic Food Produ...mentioning

confidence: 99%