The operationalisation of food citizenship: a scoping review

Abstract

It is increasingly being recognised that tackling the problems of the current food system requires active involvement of ordinary citizens. Such engagement has also been linked to the emerging concept of food citizenship, entailing greater mobilisation on the part of citizens, although how this is observed varies in the literature. This scoping review mapped a range of activities associated with food citizenship and the definitions used in conjunction with them. This was done by examining peer-reviewed published articles and theses making direct reference to the operationalisation of food citizenship in 5 databases (n = 420). The analysis of the final sample of 45 studies suggested that recurring elements – including behaviours (such as participation in alternative food practices and agency in decision-making), a sense of community and increased knowledge or awareness – are often used in connection with the operationalisation of food citizenship. It additionally highlights that despite a limited number of studies available on the how food citizenship is being empirically captured, it cannot be measured through attitudes/values alone and exclude behaviours or vice-versa – each reinforces the other. Finally, nuances are apparent in the way food citizenship is being observed and defined, with measurements of participation in collective decision-making around food lagging behind references to this activity in definitions of food citizenship.