Starting-Up Alternative Food Systems. Understanding the potential of value-based supply chain startups to localize the food system in Germany through a Multi- Level Perspective

Abstract: As the global food system fails to cope with its social and environmental depletion, Alternative Food Systems (AFSs) have emerged. While previous studies have focused on localization efforts through consumer and producer food initiatives, emerging start-ups which act as mediators between the farmers and consumers have been neglected.Therefore, semi-structured interviews with seven different start-ups in Germany were conducted to understand their potential to contribute to a stronger AFSs commitment within the German food system. The material was analysed through a coding framework guided by a Multi-Level Perspective on transition pathways. The results show that the start-ups’ strategies are highly diverse due to different degrees of regime interaction. Start-ups which oppose regime practices are less successful in scaling-up their businesses than those adopting common regime practices, but they are a stronger engine for sociotechnical innovation. The diverse empowerment strategies can benefit to transition the German food system along AFS characteristics as it may bring along a symbiosis of learning and legitimization discussions.