Tensions Between Local And Organic Foods And How To Overcome Them

Summary

Originally organic production was closely related to locally oriented food systems. However, after its institutionalisation and growth since the 1990’s, the organic sector has evolved in different directions. The main part of organic foods consumed in Europe today is processed and retailed through mainstream, industrialised and largely conventional supply chains. In this process, the local links have been lost and, in the Swedish context, organic is sometimes seen in opposition to local food systems. This paper discusses four tensions between local and organic food systems: 1) the fact that there is no unifying definition of local food systems, 2) the mixing up of modes of production and place of production, 3) the many aspects of sustainability making priorities difficult, and 4) local nutrient flows between society and agriculture. We conclude that while some of these tensions are real, some of them can be overcome only by bringing more clarity into the discussion.