PhD Project
Background
Food production and consumption are interconnected with climate change, and research should focus on sustainable, climate-friendly food options like vegetables. While adaptation of production has been researched so far, the wider system from production to consumption remains unexplored. This raises questions about agricultural production targets, consumer needs, and policy environments.
Aim
The thesis is embedded in the third-party project “Bio-Klima-Gemüse” (organic climate vegetables) which is funded by the “Ökoaktionsplan”, State of Hesse. Central to the project is the re-regionalization and climate adaptation of the production network of (organic) vegetables. The thesis aims to compile and critically discuss the existing knowledge in the field of regionalization and adaptation of vegetable farming, to generate practictal knowledge for the future of the vegetable production network in the North of Hesse and to understand this future in relation to European vegetable production.
Methodology
The thesis takes a production network approach, considering perspectives from farm to table The thesis consists of three studies:
1. Situational Analysis of Northern Hesses Vegetable Production Network – interviews with local stakeholders involved with vegetable production
2. A practice theoretical view on fostering vegetable consumption for sustainable diets – focus group discussion with consumers from rural and urban backgrounds in Hesse
3. Climate resilient vegetable production networks within the EU regulative framework – workshops with producers and consumers, desk research
FoodClimate
