How can reclaiming traditional food systems change the future for Malaysia’s Orang Asli? The indigenous people of Malaysia are facing serious environmental and health hurdles. Newly published research suggests the answer lies in food sovereignty. Read the article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

How did the change to online sales platforms affect sales at farmers markets during COVID-19? And what can we learn about best practices? Read the full article that looks at Sonoma + Marin counties California, for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs... #farmersmarkets #covid19 #directtoconsumer #California

Advancing food equity: How food policy councils use racial and social justice frameworks to drive change – and lessons learned during COVID-19. Read the JAFSCD article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs... #FoodEquity #FoodPolicy #LocalImpact

How can mid-sized cities move beyond symbolic gestures and truly support urban agriculture? New research published in from Ontario, shows where a stand-alone urban ag strategy works— Read the full article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs... #UrbanAgriculture #FoodJustice #CityPlanning

A recent commentary introduces the Common Ground Canada Network, a national partnership of researchers, comm orgs, Indigenous leaders, farmers, and policymakers working together to transform Canada’s ag + food systems for a sustainable future. Read the article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

Smallholder farmers play a vital role in food systems, yet their voices are often missing from climate-resilient agriculture initiatives. Can we build sustainable seed and food systems without farmers’ participation?. Read the full JAFSCD article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

In many developing countries like the DR Congo, vegetable farming supports numerous households, but heavy use of chemical inputs puts women—who make up most farmers—at risk. How can we ensure women farmers are protected while growing food?. Read the full article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

A new JAFSCD commentary, Agency in resilient local food systems, argues that the most lauded models of resilient food systems in the U.S. leave out one component...entrepreneurial agency. Read the entire commentary for free at doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

How can solar energy be combined with agricultural production to foster communitywide benefits? Insights from a new case study identify several avenues! Read the full JAFSCD article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

"A logical step to affordable land access to beginning sustainable farmers would be to offer low-interest gov-guaranteed loans to purchase farmland for farmers who qualify for the sustainable farm tax credits." To read more visit the Economic Pamphleteer at doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

How can the food charity system be improved by incorporating components of food justice? What improvements do local growers, food pantry managers, and food pantry clients in Prince George’s County, Maryland suggest? Read the full JAFSCD article for free, as always: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

What do petri dishes, word searches, and career fairs have in common? They are all part of one Extension's effort to make food safety fun + accessible for K-12 students. Read the full article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs... #FoodSafety #ScienceEducation #YouthOutreach #JAFSCD #ExtensionWork #STEM

Sharing results from our @sshrc-crsh.canada.ca project, based on interviews/workshop with urban growers, community orgs and city staff. We found that a promising strategy for urban ag ultimately stalls without leadership and resources to follow-through. @jafscd.bsky.social doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

Behind thriving regional grain chains are strong relationships and shared values. n a new JAFSCD article, authors examine the key partnership strategies that sustain these values-based regional grain systems. Read the entire article for free, as always, at doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

The future of local food is data-smart and community-strong. Read the full JAFSCD article for free, as always: doi.org/10.5304/jafs... #FarmersMarkets #LocalFood #AIResearch #FoodSystems #MLLM #DataScience #MichiganState

JAFSCD book review of Garden of Hope: Cultivating food and the future in a post-disaster city by Yuki Kato. "There is much work to be done, and I recommend Gardens of Hope to anyone who is looking to learn from the experiences of New Orleans" Read the entire book review doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

Iowa State U Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods brings a ray of hope to Uganda via a comprehensive lifespan approach to capacity development to end hunger. Read the full JAFSCD article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

“Feeding families means more than food.” Check out a new case study on nutrition support program use and health of urban Native families in Montana. Read the full @JAFSCD article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs... #AIAN #Nativefamilies #Montana #SNAP #WIC #foodsecurity #health

Livestock production is a key livelihood strategy in rural Bangladesh, especially for smallholder farmers who often face barriers. A new article analyzes the #USAID-funded Livestock Production for Improved Nutrition Activity. Read the entire study for free at doi.org/10.5304/jafs... #bangladesh

How is a new meat-to-institution initiative in New Mexico expanding producer opportunities and impacting community health? Read the full JAFSCD article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

The U.S. Food Security Survey Module is now the standard for determining household food security status. Authors of the latest JAFSCD article administered the FSSM as a pilot in a household survey of 110 families in the Dominican Republic. Read all their findings, for free doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

The fall 2025 issue shares open call papers on a wide range of food systems topics, all aimed at making food systems “fundamentally better”—to quote John Ikerd. They’re joined by viewpoints, a commentary, and reviews of five books. Read the entire issue for free, as always at doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

How do confusion over date labels and food purchasing behaviors affect consumer food waste in the U.S.? Authors explore misunderstandings of food labels + purchasing behavior contribute to food waste. Read the full article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs... #foodwaste #foodbuyingbehavior #datelabels

New research on food pantries in schools in #Maryland! These #pantries improve food access, build trust, and promote equity for students and families. But they have some challenges and some unknowns. Read the full JAFSCD article for free, as always: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

In eastern DRC, marshlands feed families and support fragile biodiversity, but they are under threat from drainage and toxic pesticides. We need better support for flood-tolerant crops. Can we grow food and protect our marshlands? Read the full article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

New research from #Nigeria focused on introducing plastic crates into the tomato value chain—a small innovation that could cut postharvest losses, improve food safety, and create new opportunities for women traders. Read the entire article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

Family farmers in Brazil’s semi-arid region recognize the role of nature in their livelihoods, valuing the ecosystem services that sustain both work and culture. Read the full @JAFSCD article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

How the World Eats is a highly relevant read in 2025. Baggini brings a philosophical background to exploring our global food system; crucial to understanding how + why decisions are made and how we feed ourselves as human beings. Read the entire book review for free doi.org/10.5304/jafs....

Little Pantries, filled with grab+go food, are popping up in campus buildings to fight student hunger. Find out how this low-barrier model is changing the game for college students facing food insecurity. Read the full article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs... #CollegeLife #LittleRamPantries #VCU

Discover the #ecological practices enabling small #farmers to survive and thrive amid #climate pressures, and explore their potential as a #sustainable and economically viable pathway for #smallholders in #China and beyond. Read the article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

Interested in reviewing a book for JAFSCD? Like to review a book and share your thoughts with JAFSCD’s readers? Fill out the quick review query form linked on our home page foodsystemsjournal.org. The selected reviewer receives a free hard copy or e-book!

Dodge County, Incorporated: Big Ag and the Undoing of Rural America by Stacey F. Stearns. "[Author] Eayrs illustrates how corporate influence extends into local and national politics, weakening regulatory oversight and antitrust enforcement." Read the review for free at: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

New research shines a light on interconnected actions advancing freedom, agency, and dignity in food traditions — leading to holistic health in urban communities. Read the full article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs... #NourishNow #UrbanFoodSystems #CommunityAction

A new JAFSCD article published argues that #foodsharing is a better measure of #socialcapital. Reflection of the #WorldBank social capital questions in Indigenous Thai Pgaz K’Nyau communities, calls for tailoring context-specific survey q's. Read the article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

Five yrs on from the pandemic, in rural foodscapes of the U.S., orgs need to invest in prof. development and hiring practices to deepen their understanding of diverse life experiences; encouraging an open exchange of knowledge with partners. Read the full article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

The case for radical changes in U.S. farm policy. Most farm and food policy debates have been about ways to make today’s failed systems less bad rather than how to make them fundamentally better. Read the entire Economic Pamphleteer column for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs....

As we round the bend on our Summer Issue we have a timely article for you. "With a decrease in SNAP-Ed brings a case study from S Carolina on the efficacy and sustainability of food policy councils". Read for free at doi.org/10.5304/jafs... #foodpolicycouncil #SNAPED #Sustainability

In our latest commentary, authors advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration between human geography and a sustainable food supply chain; exploring the role of place identity in sustainable transitions within food supply chain in Taiwan. Read the full article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

What can produce prescription programs do for patients, providers, and food systems? In Waltham, Massachusetts, a farm-based produce prescription is improving food access, food sovereignty, and health outcomes. Read the full JAFSCD article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

Our Summer 2025 issue is complete! It includes 28 peer-reviewed articles on a wide range of topics. You can read or download any of the articles or the entire issue as a PDF (a whopping 569 pages!) for free, as always, at www.foodsystemsjournal.org/index.php/fs...

Women were the first farmers; this should be celebrated and reinvigorated. Read our recent article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs... to revisit the role of women in today’s agriculture. #transition #global #agriculture #foodsystems #equitable #sustainable

A new study develops the Agricultural Community Power Scale (AgCPS), a tool for orgs to measure program impacts. AgCPS captures: collective self-determination, Embodied Earth Care & Connection, land-based spiritual wellbeing, Ubuntu, and more. Read the full article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

Empowered shoppers, thriving farmers, and healthier communities — boosting SNAP at farmers markets is a win for everyone! Read the full @JAFSCD article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

A recent JAFSCD article investigated the influence of empowerment programs on small-holder dairy production, specifically those aimed at fostering the development of knowledge and skills for both male-and female-headed households. Read the entire article for free at doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

A recent JAFSCD article from Saginaw, MI suggests that the USDA should refine their defn of "low access" to more accurately describe food landscapes. Read the entire article for free at doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

What might it look like to build local and regional food system capacity in places with farmland and water access constraints and competing land use goals? Researchers offer insights from the Palouse region of the U.S. Northwest. Read the full @JAFSCD article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

Community-led GOODS program connects rural consumers to fresh food - cutting costs, travel time for residents and showing how technology & local partnerships can improve food access in underserved areas. #rural #foodaccess #onlineordering #tech Read the full article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...

A new webinar Delicious Advances in Institutional Plant-Forward Menus. It will explore shifts to plant-forward menus in hospitals, universities, and more across Canada with leaders from the field! To learn more and register: bit.ly/plantforwardmenus

Soil contamination doesn’t have to stop community gardening! Read how Miawpukek First Nation built safe, sustainable gardens despite soil contamination. Full JAFSCD article here: doi.org/10.5304/jafs... #gardening #soilscience #indigenouscommunities #foodsecurity

In a new JAFSCD article, learn how Black farmers in the Mississippi Delta are reviving the traditions of their ancestors—like Fannie Lou Hamer in Freedom Farms—by building communal resilience and developing food autonomy in their communities. Read the full article for free: doi.org/10.5304/jafs...