#EURegionsWeekUniversity – Alternative and local food systems (ALFS) in a post-COVID-19 World - 12WS21364

The COVID-19 outbreak stands out from previous global crises due to the rapidity of its spread and its all-encompassing disruption of supply chains. The agri-food system, in particular, has been impacted, from production to consumption, both locally and globally. From the sustainability transition perspective, it is important to examine how the innovations and coping strategies adopted by food system actors might facilitate – or hinder – the transition towards more sustainable food chains. Despite its global impact, the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to affect transition pathways in different ways, based on the local and regional economic and cultural context. While most research has analysed the impact of the pandemic on mainstream food systems, we invite participants in this workshop to explore how alternative and local food systems (ALFS) responded during the first year of the COVID-19 crisis and what the long term effects for resilience and sustainability might be.

We will attempt to explore:

• the innovations and adaptations implemented in ALFS in different countries and the local and regional economic and cultural contexts;
• how these innovations and adaptations are creating or supporting a transition in food production and consumption systems;
• how the combination of social and technological innovation, greater citizen involvement and greater interest from policy-makers and large retailers in these systems is enabling ALFS to scale up and is leading new actors to adopt more sustainable practices.

We invite experts, food-chain actors, producers and consumers to join us in this exciting exploration, to share experiences and beliefs and to think together about the future. We plan to organise either a word-café workshop or a workshop based on visual methods, depending on the time and facilities available during the event.