The special issue titled ‘Values‐based Territorial Food Networks – Benefits, challenges and controversies’ and this introductory editorial aim to bridge conceptual and disciplinary differences within the literature on alternative agro‐food networks and related concepts. In the editorial we outline a new umbrella term, Values‐based Territorial Food Networks (VTFNs), which synthesises the key commonalities that characterise alternatives to the mainstream food system (see Reckinger 2022 for a more detailed analysis). VTFNs are defined as networks that connect agro‐food and related stakeholders within a defined territory that operate according to a coherent set of ethical values centred on social justice and wellbeing, environmental integrity, participatory governance and economic fairness. We discuss how VTFNs relate to earlier concepts, showing the evolution from ‘alternative’ to ‘values based’, from ‘local’ to ‘territorial’ and from ‘supply chains’ to ‘networks’. The editorial also gives an overview of the empirical case studies in the special issue, which explore 10 place‐based food initiatives (from Austria, France, Greece, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Hungary, Australia, Brazil and Japan) and address benefits, challenges, social learning and controversies associated with VTFNs. The cases are grouped into three thematic areas. ‘Social learning and resilience’ focuses on collaboration through diverse partnerships as a necessary condition for social innovation and for understanding new socio‐technical practices. ‘Agency, negotiations and food governance’ explores the socioeconomic struggles, interrelations and negotiated values associated with VTFNs. ‘Sociocultural environments, social capital and reflexive localism’ discusses the interplay between the economic and sociocultural dimensions related to VTFNs. The transversality of VTFN allows us to think about these dimensions from a systemic perspective, thus advancing debates on the diverse sites and modes of agro‐food sustainability.

This comparative literature review of local food systems, short food supply chains, and civic food networks, subsumed under alternative food networks (AFN), suggests converging them into the novel umbrella-term values-based territorial food networks (VTFN). Based on the analysis of specificities and shortcomings in the four concepts, VTFN aims to enhance conceptual clarity, while the current coexistence conceals structural and systemic commonalities—relevant for understanding pathways to ethical and sustainable food system transformations. Taking stock of issues in the four concepts, VTFN strives to be overarching and pragmatic. It qualifies AFN’s “alternativeness” through social, economic, environmental and governance “sustainability values” and through the co-construction of “territoriality” in varying constellations. Thus, it fosters integrated scientific dialogue about conceptual determinations of emerging networks of food system transitions worldwide.Resumen: Esta revisión bibliográfica comparativa de los sistemas alimentarios locales, las cadenas cortas de suministro de alimentos y las redes alimentarias cívicas, comprendidas en las redes alimentarias alternativas (RAA), sugiere englobarlas en el novedoso término redes alimentarias territoriales basadas en valores (RATV). Basándose en un análisis de especificidades y deficiencias, el RATV aporta claridad conceptual, en contraste con la coexistencia de los conceptos analizados que oculta puntos estructurales y sistémicos en común relevantes para entender las vías para transformar los sistemas alimentarios éticos y sostenibles. Reflexionando sobre los cuatro conceptos, la RATV busca ser global y pragmática. Califica lo “alternativo” de las RAA a través de “valores de sostenibilidad” sociales, económicos, medioambientales y de gobernanza, y de la co-construcción de la “territorialidad” en constelaciones diversas. Por ello, fomenta el diálogo científico integrado sobre las determinaciones conceptuales de las redes emergentes de transiciones de los sistemas alimentarios en todo el mundo.Résumé : Cet article se consacre à une revue de littérature comparative des concepts de Systèmes Alimentaires Locaux (Local Food Systems – LFS), Circuits Courts et de Proximité (Short Food Supply Chains – SFSC), Réseaux Alimentaires Civiques (Civic Food Networks – CFN), rassemblés sous le concept ombrelle de Réseaux Alimentaires Alternatifs (Alternative Food Networks – AFN). Il propose ensuite de les converger en un nouveau concept ombrelle, nommé Réseaux Alimentaires Éthiques et Territoriaux (Values-Based Territorial Food Networks – VTFN). Basé sur l’analyse des spécificités et des faiblesses des quatre concepts courants dans la littérature scientifique, la notion de VTFN apporte une clarté conceptuelle, car la coexistence actuelle de plusieurs concepts masque des points communs structuraux et systémiques – pourtant essentiels pour comprendre les processus de transformations éthiques et durables des systèmes alimentaires. Tout en puisant dans les apports des quatre concepts courants, la notion de VTFN aspire à être englobante et pragmatique. Elle qualifie les aspects “alternatifs” des Réseaux Alimentaires Alternatifs (Alternative Food Networks – AFN) par un cadre de quatre ensembles-clés de “valeurs de durabilité” – que sont l’intégrité environnementale, le bien-être social, la gouvernance éthique et la résilience économique –, ainsi que par une co-construction de “territorialité” en constellations variables. Ainsi, le concept de VTFN favorise un dialogue scientifique intégré sur les déterminations conceptuelles de réseaux émergents de transitions des systèmes alimentaires mondiaux.

Based on two surveys - a French and a Luxembourgish one - with in-depth-interviews, this article examines the implementation of nutritional recommendations in two European countries. Each of them has promoted at governmental level a public health campaign regarding food consumption and daily diet. In which way - and by which social categories are the recommendations taken in and put into practice, and if so, which appropriation processes and interpretations occur? Do the social, societal and cultural differences between Luxembourg and France (as well as within them), in terms of standard of living and dissemination of norms account for differentiated appropriations of dietary incentives? We will first compare the overarching goals as well as the dietary norms these two programs promote, in terms of similarities versus particularities both of the recommendations' content and of the way they are communicated. We will then examine the perception of these norms. The comparison France / Luxembourg shows that socio-cultural logics override national ones: the way in which individuals perceive the recommendations and appropriate them reflect more the social affiliation than the national one; gender and the events of the life cycle, particularly parentality, are also relevant to the reception of dietary recommendations. Transversal to all social, milieus and in both national contexts, interviewees operate a selective internalisation of the perceived recommendations in a proactive yet pragmatic posture of personal responsibility. Ultimately, public dietary recommendations are only appropriated if they match people's daily priorities and constraints, as well as the general cultural values of their social milieu. This allows us to conclude to transnational, transversal, plural and distinctive everyday-cultural models of food consumption and differing notions of a "proper" diet. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

S’y connaître en vins est chic – mais pas si facile. Dans un contexte actuel général d'esthétisation des expériences personnelles, de plus en plus d'amateurs se tournent vers les médiateurs de ce savoir, ou savoir-faire, qui s'est progressivement professionnalisé et canonisé ; désormais, nombreux sont ceux qui acquièrent les rudiments de l’œnophilie. Les cours d’œnologie que ces personnes suivent véhiculent une normativité implicite spécifique, vécue de façon inégalement aisée, en fonction de leurs motivations à la formation, mais aussi des dispositions et des tactiques qu'elles arrivent à activer à son encontre. Ce rapport ambivalent et pluriel aux normes œnophiles se creuse dans leur appropriation domestique, déployant des stratégies bien davantage centrées sur le soi et sur les autres que sur le vin en lui-même. En analysant la rencontre entre des experts de vin et des novices intéressés à devenir des connaisseurs, ce livre fournit des clés de compréhension des raisons et des façons d'un processus d'expertisation, entre recommandations et valeurs. Il s'adresse à qui désire avoir une vision approfondie des ressorts identitaires de la consommation de vins.