"Politics you can Eat" : Insights from the Implementation of Södertälje Municipality's Food Supply Strategy

Sammanfattning

The failures of the governance of food systems in the past has led to the exposure of vulnerabilities within today’s food systems. Thus, rethinking how food systems are planned is imperative to ensuring food security in the future. This thesis aims to assess the progress of the implementation of Södertälje municipality’s food supply strategy, as well as understanding key barriers and catalysts to implementing sustainable and resilient food systems at a local level. Through semi-formal interviews and a literature review, key insights into food systems governance were discerned. The food supply strategy of Södertälje municipality has begun to be implemented. However, barriers have occurred that have caused the implementation to be slower than anticipated. These barriers are lack of communication regarding the roles and responsibilities within the municipality, co-ordinational issues, the boundaries of municipal authority, a lack of internal alignment, a lack of time and resources, and too few follow-ups. However, these have been offset by catalysts that can help to navigate how implementation can be remedied in the future. These catalysts are champions of policy, a strong policy base and history within the municipality, and political support. The thesis concludes by asserting that increased communication of the strategy, and the clear delegation of goals and responsibilities would enhance implementation in the future.