This Joint Call initiative by SUSFOOD2/FOSC network originated under the premise that attaining resilient and sustainable food systems would require a transition from current linear food production systems, which are vulnerable to system shocks, to resilient circular systems that encompass efficiency, side-stream valorisation and avoidance of food loss and waste and consider the interdependencies within the systems and its stakeholders. Such a transition will have to be accompanied by substantial progress in the organisation and management of food systems and supported by the development of novel technologies, which will play a key role to support the transformation of food systems so that they operate within natural resource boundaries with minor climate change impact.

Food systems comprise food production activities, processing and packaging, distribution and retail, as well as consumption. Various factors, like environmental and socio -economic drivers, influence the systems and therefore, different approa ches can affect the resilience and sustainability of such a complex network. Moreover, the diversity of food systems (local, high-tech, traditional, etc.) raise the need to find the right approach to increase their sustainability and resilience.