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Abstract

Background: Markets have been of interest to a wide range of disciplines but are under-investigated from a food policy perspective. Data on where food markets sit in the UK Food System are presented. There has been a surprising deficit of research on the internal dynamics of markets with previous studies looking mostly markets within the wider food system. The present research set out to investigate how internal market dynamics were perceived and acted upon by key market food actors.

Research Question (RQ): Three broad Research Questions were posed to explore (1) How food consumers engage with markets, (2) The food policy issues that food market traders encounter, and (3) The related management and governance issues.

Methods: A mixed methods, qualitative approach was adopted. The conceptual framework drew upon elements of Walt’s (1994) policy triangle, Alternative Food Network (AFN) theory, and the Foundational Economy (FE) as applied to food systems. Five nested case studies were conducted at different locations across England. 20 food market actors in three groups – customers, traders, and managers - were interviewed in depth in 2015-18. Transcriptions were analysed using a two-stage thematic analysis.

Findings: Three findings chapters present the results of fieldwork, applying thematic analysis to the resultant data.

• For food Consumers: six themes including: food acquisition strategies, consideration for food provenance and supply chains, food costs and the market experience.

• For Market Traders: 23 themes including: business modelling and viability, channels of distribution, alternative urban spaces, protectionism, legislation, and food hygiene.

• For Market Managers: 20 themes including: existing policy and policy development, funding for markets, management roles, internal competition, and future prospects.

Discussion: Food markets have clear cultural benefits and play vibrant roles within the modern English Food System and foodscape. However, markets lack a clear national policy framework. The new sustainability challenges now re-shaping the food economy could revitalize markets as places of cultural identity, jobs, and shorter food supply chains.

Conclusions: Despite a relatively small share of the UK retail grocery sector, food markets deserve more attention within food policy analysis. Markets contain a valuable knowledge base with actors showing a sophisticated understanding of internal and external workings of the UK food economy. Markets could, if viewed more as part of the Foundational Economy, contribute to a future sustainable food system.

Significance: At a time when UK national food policy is in some uncertainty and with new English food legislation still expected, the thesis highlights the potential for English Food Markets (EFM), if analysed through a multidisciplinary food policy framework.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management H Social Sciences > HF Commerce H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races
Departments:	School of Health & Medical Sciences > Healthcare Services Research & Management > Food Policy School of Health & Medical Sciences > School of Health & Medical Sciences Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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