Fair Food Utopias, Civil Society and the Sdgs in Australia

This paper aims to expand sociological scholarship around the theory and practice of ‘food utopias’: a concept coined to reflect how various actors are re-imagining what a better food system might look like, in light of multiple food, climate and economic crises. The study of ‘utopias’ aims not only to explore case studies of future ‘visions’ – such as those stemming from local food movements or alternative economics - but also uses action research to facilitate a more open dialogue between diverse stakeholders. Understanding the visions and activities of civic food actors around achieving the global SDGs (which themselves represent ‘alternative futures’) is crucial. Little research has explored this in Australia, despite the growing presence of a diverse ‘Fair Food’ movement.

This paper has two aims. First, I present a typology of the actors and activities that identify as part of the ‘Fair Food’ movement in Australia. Second, I describe a research agenda for action research with civic food networks in Brisbane, to consider how their visions and practices are associated with achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals. Within the SDGs, ‘Zero Hunger’ and civic participation are key themes, however little research has explored the intersection between local network priority setting and the concepts, policies and processes associated with the SDGs. A variety of methodological approaches is discussed. Finally, the paper presents preliminary insights into the capacity for diverse fair food actors (advocates, entrepreneurs, academics and policy makers) in South East Queensland to engage both conceptually and empirically with agenda-setting around the SDGs. How are Fair Food actors in Brisbane (and beyond) re-imagining what a better food system might look like, in light of multiple food, climate and economic crises? How do these place-based narratives connect to global sustainability goals? What role can action research play in supporting their visions?