Convened by Bruno Valim Magalhaes, Instituto PENSI Social (Centre for Research and Education in Child Health and Social Sciences), Claudia König, Bruna Avelhan and Renan Rosolem, PENSI Social Researchers. University of São Paulo senior professors might lead parts of the session in place of PENSI Social researchers

This seed panel examines how territorial food-systems governance and public policy can generate context-sensitive responses to food and nutrition insecurity while advancing just sustainability transitions. Anchored in the EADI 2026 theme “Shaping Sustainable Futures: Global Challenges, (G)local solutions?”, we seek contributions that unpack the interplay between global frameworks (SDGs, the FAO/CFS Voluntary Guidelines on Food Systems and Nutrition, and UN Food System Summit national pathways) and locally embedded policy and practice. 

We foreground arenas where authority and responsibility are being redistributed across levels and actors: subnational governments, civil‑society organizations, producer associations, Indigenous and traditional communities, philanthropic institutions, and private investors. How do these actors co‑produce policies and interventions—or reshape existing ones—through multilevel coordination, territorial planning, and mission‑oriented investment? Which institutional arrangements, accountability mechanisms, and knowledge‑use practices enable inclusive, legitimate and effective governance? 

We particularly welcome empirical and comparative studies from the Global South and from large food-producing economies, as well as South-North comparisons. Topics may include (but are not limited to): local public procurement and school feeding; social protection for food and nutrition; food‑loss‑and‑waste governance; urban–rural linkages and territorial markets; agroecology and regenerative transitions; climate adaptation and risk management; data governance and metrics for policy coherence; and the role of philanthropy and corporate investment in steering transitions. 

We also encourage conceptual and methodological innovations: policy labs and co‑creation with non‑state actors; process tracing and comparative case designs (incl. QCA); social‑network analysis of governance arenas; mixed‑methods evaluations; and frameworks for assessing legitimacy, equity and effectiveness.

The session prioritises early‑stage and in‑progress research typical of a Seed Panel. It aims to build collaborations for joint publications and follow‑up comparative projects. We will ensure diversity (career stage, gender, and geography) among presenters and discussants, with at least one convener attending in person and hybrid access for remote participants