Achieving Sustainable Development Goals Through the Governance of Local Food Systems in Western Countries: A Realist Synthesis

Over the last decade, various studies have focused on the functioning of local food policy councils and their key role in institutionalizing participatory governance mechanisms involving stakeholders concerned with the promotion of sustainable food systems. Nevertheless, the literature remains scattered, inconclusive, and mostly dissociated from the sustainable development goals (SDGs), which are increasingly used by organizations and government agencies alike. Based on a systematic analysis of 99 academic articles, this realist synthesis sheds light on sustainability outcomes and key success factors of local food system governance. Findings show that local food systems can play a significant role in achieving sustainability, although the coverage of the SDGs remains very uneven across the objectives considered. The study also shows the key role of several collaborative governance principles—including broad participation, facilitative leadership, and consensus-building—in the success of these systems. Contributions to the literature and managerial implications are discussed.