Explaining the Model of Good Governance of Sustainable Urban Food Systems

The concept of food systems as a guiding framework for strategic thinking towards achieving diverse, safe and nutritious food for all has been considered in the process of food policies. Food systems include all actors and activities through global value chains, including input supply, production, processing, distribution, retail, wholesale, food preparation and consumption, along with their effects on the environment, health, and society. The present research was a qualitative research based on the findings of Delphi group interviews. 25 experts were selected as the sample group. Findings showed that the indicators of good governance that were extracted from the research process included participation, legality, accountability, transparency, resilience and flexibility, efficiency and effectiveness, justice, consensual orientation, foresight and responsibility. Themes related to the good governance of sustainable urban food systems were obtained in four dimensions of institutional sustainability, environmental sustainability, economic sustainability and social sustainability. Therefore, the combination of good governance indicators and themes of sustainability of urban food systems, would lead to consequences such as sustainable food security, environmental issues (the erosion of soil, etc.), nutrition and health, economic affairs (efficiency, etc.), and social affairs (equality, etc.). Results showed that without the application of good governance in the management of food systems, the establishment of food justice, equality and realize the right to food, and policy makers at the global, national and local levels would face many challenges. Also, governance with a high level of flexibility and resilience is the most efficient management method that can manage global food systems.