Two University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu researchers, Konstantinos Zougris and Albie Miles, are guiding the future of sustainable food systems through their recent study in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, which offers a roadmap for national cooperation.
“Forming a National Community of Practice of Food System Planning Initiatives Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals” highlights the necessity of a coordinated national network to advance sustainable agriculture, food security and public health. Drawing on successful initiatives around the country, the research outlines pathways for uniting state and regional efforts to address systemic issues in agri-food systems.
“This research sets the stage for a unified approach to building resilient, equitable and sustainable food systems,” said Miles.
Through interviews with 25 experts and surveys with 35 practitioners across 18 states, the study identifies critical factors for a robust National Community of Practice (NCoP). These include knowledge sharing, policy advocacy and developing scientific metrics for progress. Key challenges, such as funding, shared governance and integration with state agencies, were also noted. Despite these hurdles, participants overwhelmingly supported collaboration to enhance sustainable food system planning.
The study is part of a special research topic on Food System Transformation and the Realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, edited by Miles, UH Mānoa Professor Travis Idol and an international team of scholars. It also builds on previous efforts by Michigan State University’s Center for Regional Food Systems.
Miles intends to have representatives involved in food system planning efforts in Hawaiʻi contribute to the development of and participate in the NCoP.
