Is sustainable food inclusive? Reflections from fieldwork in Liège, Belgium

This article examines the discourses and practices surrounding sustainable food within the food transition movement in Liège. More specifically, it addresses the issue of inclusivity – a key aspect of the movement’s local development. On the one hand, the article explores the approach adopted by some local institutions and associations in initiatives that promote sustainable food. On the other hand, it examines the experiences and narratives surrounding sustainable food of a group of migrant women from diverse backgrounds. This dual perspective allows for a critical examination of the rationale behind the food transition process in the city, as well as the challenges and opportunities involved in engaging with a diverse public. The article contributes to the ongoing scientific and societal debates on the inclusivity of sustainable food by presenting two key arguments. Firstly, the analysis of local transition processes has revealed the emergence of a situated approach in the city that nuances the understanding of sustainability and its promotion among the population, thereby shaping specific urban resilience in the process. Secondly, the adoption of an intersectional approach to studying individuals’ experiences of food choice has allowed to show complex meanings of sustainability and the factors influencing the definition of appropriate food.