| Abstract |
With the disconnection between the production, distribution, preparation and consumption of food the market has alienated itself form all the participants. This feeling of estrangement and inconvenience seems to be substituted by several emerging trends especially significant in urban context. The fortress walls of the spatial separation of functions are showing indeed some cracks. These changes are manifested in an explosive increase in mobile food service, especially the rise of street food business. These flexible and mobile, new concepts in the food services have changed the food landscape dramatically. These two typical urban developments seem desperately in seeking new connections. Some even do claim to have found new solid ground to shortcut the existing food chain. This existing chain 'from resource to mouth' is in this paper compared with a new model of integrated networked regional planning of the food chains. This new model actually follows the new roadmaps set out by trendy chefs, local entrepreneurs, concerned citizens or local alderman. In order to construct this new network model, information is required. Who are these change makers? What drives them? How do they manage their business, and where do they obtain their resources, deliver their goods and leave their waste? Where are they located and how are they embedded in the networks of chains? Can we see new strategies of change, for instance towards circular economies? And maybe the ultimate quest, does it make a difference in terms of cost, quality, efficiency, experience and most of all in terms of sustainability? |