Analysis of food policymaking through a food systems lens: a review of analytical frameworks.

Abstract

Objective: This paper aims to summarise the frameworks currently used to analyse food policymaking processes and to critically assess whether those frameworks can be applied to the analysis of integrated, 'systems' approaches to policymaking.

Design: Two electronic databases were searched to identify publications analysing food policymaking processes. Data from the publications were charted using an iterative coding process, and details of the underlying analytical frameworks were recorded. Identified frameworks were evaluated using theories of systems approaches to food policy development.

Setting: Governmental food policy at the supranational, national and local levels.

Results: The search process yielded 532 results. After screening, a final forty-three publications and twenty-four frameworks were identified. In the studies, frameworks were used to analyse agenda-setting, stakeholder networks, policy coherence and development of national food and nutrition policies. All twenty-four frameworks allowed for analysis of actors and context in policymaking processes, while space for considering policy coherence featured less (n 11).

Conclusions: Three frameworks were highlighted as particularly applicable to the context of food systems approaches to policymaking. The application of analytical frameworks for policymaking processes is limited in food policy research. However, this review demonstrates that there are considerable benefits to using such frameworks to understand the ideas, knowledge, power and decision-making that lead to food policy development. This is particularly useful in understanding the complex stakeholder networks and policy coherence necessary for successful policies for sustainable food systems.