Supporting Hong Kong's local food economy : developing a local food system assessment framework for intermediate markets

Abstract

A growing awareness of the environmental and social injustices of the current global food system has many people advocating for greater transparency in the food supply chain and opting for local and sustainable food production practices. To help support Hong Kong’s local food economy and move towards a more sustainable food system, this study developed and tested the feasibility of a purposely-designed Local Food System Assessment (LFSA) framework for intermediate markets. To test its feasibility, the draft LFSA framework was implemented with two restaurants and one retailer using a case study approach. It was found that the results of the LFSA framework relied heavily on the access, availability and quality of food supply and waste data provided by participants and that barriers such as quantity of local food supplies and knowledge or perceptions of sustainability impacted practices implemented. The potential use of the assessment framework as an education tool by both restaurants in the future was a positive outcome. Five semi-structured interviews were also conducted with key community stakeholders in various related fields to receive feedback on the real-world application of the framework (e.g. implementation and facilitation). This identified the opportunity to develop a user-friendly publication with a standard or checklist to help future users identify sustainable practices. A rating or scoring system with a label or certification could also help consumers identify sustainable markets and encourage more users to implement the LFSA. It was also found that non-profit organisations and consultancy companies are likely candidates to facilitate the assessment framework in the future. Based on findings, two recommendations were made in regards to the assessment framework itself. These included the development of an accurate and transparent food supply and waste record when collecting data and the benefit of developing a creative food supply map to enhance communication to staff and the public. The use of a facilitator to assist and guide the assessment process was also recommended to help increase the effectiveness of the assessment process and its outcomes. Lastly, three policy measures where recommended, including the development of a food policy council to provide research and recommendations on food systems issues to policy makers, the development of a waste policy for the commercial and industrial sector and the introduction of non-monetary subsidies to support local food production and consumption. An abstract of exactly 381 words