Rustbelt Radicalism: A Decade of Food Systems Planning Practice in Buffalo, New York (USA)

Abstract

Pressure is increasing from nongovernmental actors to incorporate food more concretely into municipal policies and plans. A qualitative case study of Buffalo, New York (USA), demonstrates that incremental, persistent food systems practice and advocacy by nonstate actors, a group we call the "rustbelt radicals," followed by their collective engagement with municipal planning, can lead to transformations in municipal policy and planning for strengthening food systems. The paper concludes with seven factors that enable "rustbelt radicals" to transform local food systems plans and policies.