Tracing democratic innovations: A longitudinal perspective on a food policy council

Abstract

Food systems are undergoing rapid transformation driven by evolving consumer and producer demands, technological advancements, financialization, and climate change. In response, municipalities around the globe are establishing Food Policy Councils (FPCs)—multi-stakeholder roundtables designed to craft comprehensive and sustainable food policies. FPCs are crucial in addressing global food system challenges, promoting food citizenship, and emphasizing justice, rights, and local control over food systems. This article, centered on a case study of Nutrire Trento (“Feeding Trento”)—an FPC initiative in Trento, Italy—employs an ethnographic approach combining in-depth interviews, field notes, and direct observation from the outset. It explores how democratic innovations of this nature emerge and respond to the complexities of modern food systems through collaborative governance and sustainable practices. The research uniquely integrates the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) with Event Structure Analysis (ESA) to trace the historical development of Nutrire Trento. It identifies key enabling and disabling factors that shape its trajectory. The findings reveal a dynamic interplay between institutional support, crises, and grassroots initiatives, contributing to the literature by providing a nuanced understanding of the power dynamics and strategies that drive these democratic efforts.