Participatory Guarantee Systems: Co-Defining Agricultural Practices for Food Sovereignty

Abstract

This article aims to frame Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGSs) in the evolution of relations between (urban) consumers and (rural) producers in Italy in the light of the food sovereignty aspirations of Alternative Food Networks, and to what extent PGSs are actually capable of responding to these expectations. The evidence gathered shows how PGSs support the spread of agroecology, food sovereignty and the democratisation of food supply chains.

Keywords

• agroecology
• alternative food networks
• participatory guarantee systems
• food sovereignty
• food democracy