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You Say You Want a Data Revolution? Taking on Food Systems Accountability

Author

Listed:
  • Quinn Marshall

    (Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Alexandra L. Bellows

    (Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Rebecca McLaren

    (Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Andrew D. Jones

    (School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

  • Jessica Fanzo

    (Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
    Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
    Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Washington, DC 20036, USA)

Abstract

Dramatic improvements in data availability and quality are needed to meet the challenge of monitoring and analyzing food systems, so that appropriate policies and actions to improve human and planetary health can be identified and data-informed accountability mechanisms put in place to strengthen food systems governance. Studying food systems is complex due to diverse actors and interlinking processes that operate on multiple spatial and temporal scales, and their multiple outcomes, which may be subject to hidden feedback mechanisms and tradeoffs. However, descriptive research to characterize food system components and make comparisons across geography, income groups, and population groups is an important foundation. The first part of this article details a series of critical data gaps and limitations that are currently hindering food systems learning and accountability, also comparing these gaps across regions and income groups. The second part of the article introduces the Food Systems Dashboard, a new data visualization tool that aims to improve access to and usage of food systems-related data, thus strengthening the data value chain and better informing policies and actions intended to improve diets, nutrition, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Quinn Marshall & Alexandra L. Bellows & Rebecca McLaren & Andrew D. Jones & Jessica Fanzo, 2021. "You Say You Want a Data Revolution? Taking on Food Systems Accountability," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:11:y:2021:i:5:p:422-:d:550091
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Fernianda Rahayu Hermiatin & Yuanita Handayati & Tomy Perdana & Dadan Wardhana, 2022. "Creating Food Value Chain Transformations through Regional Food Hubs: A Review Article," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-24, July.

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