The term "food system" refers to the way in which food is produced and processed, traded and consumed, from the field to the plate. This is influenced by the political, economic, social, cultural and ecological framework conditions. In turn, our food system is linked to the climate, natural resources such as water and land, biodiversity and the living and working conditions of people in cities and rural areas, as well as their health. A systemic perspective looks at the resulting complex interrelationships, the actors involved and the power dynamics in and around the system. The focus can be on the global level or on one of the many local food systems, which are shaped by their respective ecological, political, economic and socio-cultural contexts, but are also influenced by dynamics at the global level.
Source: Welthungerhilfe, 2021