SDG Performance in Local Organic Food Systems and the Role of Sustainable Public Procurement

Abstract

Alternative food systems have occupied a steady niche in the food systems transformation discourse as one of the transformative pathways capable of addressing many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Being one of the alternative approaches, organic food systems are often in the spotlight of transformation discussion. While their outcomes and, to a lesser extent, potential to address the SDGs have been documented, the attempts to provide empirical evidence for the latter contribution are largely lacking. The study aimed to close this gap by assessing the performance of SDGs in local organic food systems with the territorial approach. For this purpose, a mixed methods research design and actor-oriented approach have been used. The research employed a multiple-case study design to examine three European territorial organic food systems to uncover their contribution to SDGs and thereby their role in food systems transformation towards enhanced sustainability. Analysis at the target level revealed the central role of SDG 12, responsible consumption and production, addressed by the highest number of targets manifested through corresponding outcomes of all three analyzed case studies. The analyzed systems uncovered a leverage potential of sustainable public procurement to unfold other SDG targets through synergetic interactions of the respective outcomes.

Comparing social sustainability assessment indicators and tools for bio-districts: building an analytical framework

“…This theme includes the protection of farmers' and consumers' health (Dias et al, 2021), which reinforces the idea that workplace benefits and health and safety measures are some of the most addressed issues in terms of social sustainability (Mani et al, 2016). As mentioned above, the concept of well-being is also included in this theme, suggesting a more subjective and culturally dependent perception of health; the link between individual and the ecosystem health is also considered (Stefanovic, 2022).…”

“…The former was calculated by verifying the participation in research projects (public-private partnerships), while the social capital indicator was developed on the basis of collective learning, the adoption of participatory approaches, and the number of network memberships. Again, a mixed approach was implemented by Stefanovic (2022). The indicators chosen by the author had the dual utility of both tracking the actual performance of different local organic food systems in achieving the SDGs and the targets, and being user-friendly as the social categories were already created: SDG 1 "No poverty, " SDG 7 "Affordable and clean energy, " SDG 8 "Decent work and economic growth, " SDG 11 "Sustainable cities and communities, " SDG 12 "Responsible consumption and production, " and SDG 16 "Peace, justice and strong institutions. "…”

Sustainable Organic Farming Maturity Model

“…Moreover, organic agriculture melds scientific knowledge with innovative methods to safeguard natural resources and the environment. It provides a secure system for food production [7] and maintains nutritional integrity [8]. With the awareness of the detrimental effects of chemicals on resources and the environment among farmers, producers, and consumers [9], organic farming eliminates the need for pesticides, antibiotics, and chemical residues.…”

Environmental Assessment of Local Food Policies through a Territorial Life Cycle Approach

“…Many authors thereby believe that a local level is a more appropriate scale to rectify and assess the negative externalities of the globalized food system [8,9], and thus, contribute to achieving sustainable development goals [10,11].…”