Brain Food: How social enterprise can reshape the food system

Abstract

In a world of giant transnational corporations, the deck appears stacked against social enterprise in the food sectors. Getting some theory under their belts based on the idea of the social market and a commitment to linking social goals into reforming the food system, the authors take theory and translate it into practice-relevant tools that can help social economy actors and institutions to redefine competitors, allies, purpose, and thus be in a better position to "reshuffle that deck." This article represents a great example of the role of theory in shaking up a practitioners’ brain cells. It reminds me of Pat Conaty’s warning in Lewis and Conaty, 2004: “If we don’t set out a stronger theoretical base for our work, if the movements we build are simply pragmatic and without a sound intellectual base, we will not ultimately succeed in changing hearts and minds.”