Humangeography

It has repeatedly been claimed that persistent traditional agriculture and marketing in countries of the Global South, such as India, are a fruitful basis for the foundation of alternative food networks (AFNs). However, literature on AFNs in the Global South is scarce and it thus remains uncertain how the appropriation of traditional agri-food practices plays out. We conducted semi-structured expert interviews with representatives of 14 AFNs in Bengaluru, India, in order to explore their aims and approaches. We found that there is a high variety of different AFNs in the city. One salient discourse among the representatives was that the agri-food system can be improved by a revitalization of tradition. In this paper, we discuss the implications of this conviction on representatives of AFNs. Traditionalism, we argue, does rather represent a deflection from achieving the stated goals of the AFN, namely the improvement of the livelihood of Indian farmers.

The number of organic shops in Bengaluru has increased remarkably in the last few years, with millets being the main products drawing consumers. Yet, organic shops are only attracting middle-class consumers. We observed and interviewed 104 customers in five organic shops in Bengaluru to find out why this is the case. In this article, we follow practice theory to discuss the reported consumption patterns. We show that consumers, influenced by commercials and the advice of medical and nutritional professionals, legitimize their consumption of organic foods as an investment in their future health. We show that the customers of organic shops legitimize their consumption practice with affective engagements; thereby, performing symbolic boundaries that distinguish them from other social classes. This distinction manifests itself in the consumption of millets, which contributes to the change of the meaning of this food from a life-sustaining staple to a lifestyle superfood. In this article...

The research project Sustainable food consumption practices of middle-class consumers aims to investigate the state of Indian food transition and its implications for food production, processing and marketing. It is part of the DFG funded researcher group FOR2432 Socio-Ecological Systems in the Indian Rural-Urban Interface. Research activities focus on Bengaluru, the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka.

The concept of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is gaining popularity around the world. Providing a direct marketing channel between consumers and producers of food it could be the solution for demanders of organic food in countries where the supply is difficult. Beyond food supply CSA can provide benefits such as recreation and decreased food waste. To assess what demands consumers in Shanghai would have towards a CSA a survey (n=53) was implemented. Desk research as well as expert interviews with suitable CSAs were carried out to find out if there are suitable CSA models for Shanghai in Germany. A comparison of the findings showed that the CSA concept is applicable if adaptions are made. Challenges for a CSA in Shanghai include the difficult transport situation. Furthermore, CSA members in Shanghai are likely to have a high service demand towards a CSA farm.

The concept of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is gaining popularity around the world. Providing a direct marketing channel between consumers and producers of food it could be the solution for demanders of organic food in countries where the supply is difficult. Beyond food supply CSA can provide benefits such as recreation and decreased food waste. To assess what demands consumers in Shanghai would have towards a CSA a survey (n=53) was implemented. Desk research as well as expert interviews with suitable CSAs were carried out to find out if there are suitable CSA models for Shanghai in Germany. A comparison of the findings showed that the CSA concept is applicable if adaptions are made. Challenges for a CSA in Shanghai include the difficult transport situation. Furthermore, CSA members in Shanghai are likely to have a high service demand towards a CSA farm.