Transformative incrementalism: Planning for transformative change in local food systems

Local Food Systems (LFS) are a relatively new concept in planning. While there is a growing interest in making transformative change in LFS, the area lacks a solid theoretical foundation to address how change processes in food systems occur. In this study, a classic Glaserian grounded theory methodology was used to investigate LFS planning. The primary goal was the development of theory grounded in the experience of practitioners, elected officials, and members of the public all having some level of experience with LFS initiatives. The data are drawn from interviews with 29 elected officials, public stakeholders, and planning staff working in five communities with LFS planning initiatives. In addition, 10 member checking interviews were conducted to determine the fit and relevance of the findings to the experience of participants in LFS planning.

The emergent theory of ‘Transformative Incrementalism’ (TI), was developed from this research to describe the social processes underlying planning initiatives to achieve transformative change in LFS. Consistent with grounded theory principles, the core category identified in the theory was Power, while Values, Praxis, and Outcomes were other main themes. TI suggests that change is achieved through a long process of incremental efforts by actors within the public, political, and bureaucratic groups to achieve convergence and align values and beliefs over time.