City Research Online

Abstract

Food systems transformation requires improved collaboration between system actors, but this is hampered by multiple and often differing perspectives within and of the system. Food system conceptual models, and the diagrams which represent them, can support comprehension, inform those seeking to understand what food systems are and what they include, and suggest what needs to be transformed. They have potential to be boundary objects; translation devices capable of spanning intersecting social and political worlds, facilitating communication, collaboration and cooperation, and as such, can have a potentially powerful influence on those who engage with them, and a role in system transformation. This study provides a critical analysis of one such tool – the food systems flower – which has been applied and adapted by food system actors of different types at different scales. This includes multiple applications to local level governance, for example by cities such as Glasgow, Chelmsford and Minneapolis. Using a novel methodological approach to visual content analysis – reverse image searching – the study traces and analyses how the model has been utilised. The findings reveal a range of uses involving varying levels of engagement - illustrative, explanatory, analytical, interactive - by a range of food system actors; primarily academic, but also those in the public, private and third sectors. It is used both as a framework for what is ‘in’ food systems, and as a tool to consider system interactions and leverage points for action. The flower thus aligns with the definition of a boundary object, facilitating understanding, dialogue, and perhaps even action between different parts of the food system and food policy, though it could be further leveraged for action. Future research opportunities include exploring how further development might help more users go beyond the tool’s descriptive function, and apply it to actively organize for transition to more healthy, equitable and sustainable food systems.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2026 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd. As the Version of Record of this article is going to be / has been published on a gold open access basis under a CC BY 4.0 licence, this Accepted Manuscript is available for reuse under a CC BY 4.0 licence immediately.
Publisher Keywords:	food systems, food policy, collaboration, boundary object, transformation, image searching
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Departments:	School of Health & Medical Sciences School of Health & Medical Sciences > Department of Population Health & Policy
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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