NEO-MATERIALIST MOVEMENT ORGANISATIONS’ SCALING THROUGH STRATEGIES AND CONSUMER COLLECTIVE ACTION: COMPARING THREE EUROPEAN FOOD MOVEMENT SCENES

The article examines the experiences of local activists involved in the food movement scene in Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, with the objective of comparing strategies in localising food movement politics and seeking scale for collective action through institutions. Specifically, it delves into the grassroots-driven, bottom-up development of food policies by neo-materialist movement organisations (NMMOs) asking why food has become a central focus, what these organisations do and who participates, and how and why strategies for working with local institutions are implemented. Success in food movements, as in other social change efforts, often depends on experimenting with different approaches to generating interest and expanding the movement among consumers. At the same time, activists emphasise the need to change the food system, typically by promoting the benefits of local produce and fostering connections between producers and consumers. These connections serve as a vital resource for collective action, as food allows movements to easily mobilise and engage with consumers’ values and beliefs. Through a comparative analysis of local food activism across Bristol, Cologne and Rome, the study elucidates that while each context grapples with distinct challenges, such as reconciling administrative tensions in Rome or negotiating financial constraints and bureaucratic intricacies in Bristol and Cologne, all underscore the pivotal role of collaborative engagement with local authorities as a catalyst for effecting change in food systems and beyond.