Restoring Food System Resilience in a Turbulent World: Supply Chain Actors' Shared Responsibility

Abstract

Ecological and economic crises increasingly affect the long-term resilience of the food supply chain. This qualitative study draws on semistructured interviews and public evidence to analyse the perspectives of British supply chain actors. Asking which pathways towards food system resilience arise and which forms of social and environmental governance they require, the aim is to elucidate power relations in the fresh produce supply chain and clarify governance requirements and responsibilities to transform food systems towards resilience and sustainability. The stakeholders addressed responsibilities for a sustainable and resilient food system, including effective policies and appropriate pricing, to ensure both high social and environmental standards in the supply chain and widespread affordability of healthy and sustainable foods. Findings emphasise the importance of policy to resolve conflicts of interest over low or high prices and the adoption of hybrid governance and shared responsibility, while also accounting for actors' different spheres of influence.