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Third-Sector Advocacy: An Exploration of the Work of Community Food Providers

Author

Listed:
  • Katy Gordon

    (The University of Sheffield, UK)

  • Andrea Tonner

    (University of Strathclyde, UK)

  • Juliette Wilson

    (University of Strathclyde, UK)

Abstract

This article explores advocative work of third-sector community food providers in Scotland. The article argues these organisations can contribute to tackling household food insecurity through their advocative work, recognising that state-led policy on household income is needed. Capturing the advocacy of these organisations, rather than focussing solely on their service provision can provide insight that is largely missing from existing community food scholarships. The research adopts a quasi-ethnographic qualitative approach with 16 grassroots community food providers and 5 meso-level support organisations. The findings identify advocacy practices undertaken, targeted at political and public audiences and national and local institutional layers. It highlights the tensions of this work, including fears of exacerbating a failing system. The findings also evidence a complementary, symbiotic, and reciprocally strengthening relationship between service provision and advocacy by third-sector organisations. These contributions demonstrate the potential of this sector to contribute to social change required to address the root causes of household food insecurity.

Suggested Citation

  • Katy Gordon & Andrea Tonner & Juliette Wilson, 2023. "Third-Sector Advocacy: An Exploration of the Work of Community Food Providers," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 28(4), pages 964-981, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socres:v:28:y:2023:i:4:p:964-981
    DOI: 10.1177/13607804231169574
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Laura Sheard & Giorgia Previdoli & Wendy Burton & Rachel Benchekroun & Maddy Power & Bob Doherty & Philip Hadley & Ariadne Beatrice Kapetenaki & Shahid Islam & Sairah Mirza & Claire Cameron & Kate Pic, 2025. "Fair food futures UK: Protocol for a mixed methods study exploring what approaches adopted by community food organisations are more likely to prevent the need for emergency food in two multicultural communities in Northern and Southern England," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 20(2), pages 1-20, February.

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