The Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI) are suitable standards for contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the area of sound consumption and sustainable food. In this context, food banks have demonstrated their significant role in supporting vulnerable groups and reducing food waste through the implementation of various projects and activities. This study identifies and classifies the good practices of 54 food banks that comprise the Spanish Federation of Food Banks (FESBAL). The methodology applied was based on the Working with People model, integrating a social and collaborative learning process based on the accumulated experience of food banks over 35 years. The analysis was carried out based on four dimensions of sustainability, namely social, economic, environmental, and governance, in alignment with the CFS-RAI Principles. The results obtained show the good practices of food banks, highlighting their positive effects on the dimensions of sustainability, consistent with the CFS-RAI Principles, and the SDGs, evidencing improved food security and a holistic contribution to sustainable development.

International literature shows significant growth in relation to sustainable rural development in response to ongoing needs. The principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI) enable projects to be geared towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this article, we present an empirically grounded analysis of these RAI principles, based on in-depth case studies in seven countries (Spain, Ecuador, Peru, Santo Domingo, Bolivia, Colombia, and Mexico). This experience focuses on an international project coordinated by the GESPLAN Research Group (https://www.ruraldevelopment.es) at the Polytechnic University of Madrid. The methodological process incorporates the Working with People model, analyzing the understanding of CFS-RAI principles by rural actors in different countries and contexts of university-business relations. The results show the effectiveness of the WWP model, based on the integration of its three dimensions: ethical-social, technical-business, and political-contextual, as an effective proposal for planning sustainable rural development projects in numerous contexts. The empirical evidence presented indicates that combining the WWP model with the principles of CFS-RAI in rural contexts allows progress toward sustainable development, balancing economic aspects with human, social, and environmental well-being.

The international literature shows significant growth in relation to sustainable rural development in response to ongoing problems. The Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI) enable projects to be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this article, we present an empirically grounded analysis of these RAI principles based on in-depth case studies in seven countries (Spain, Ecuador, Peru, Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Colombia, and Mexico). This experience comes from an international project coordinated by the GESPLAN Research Group at the Polytechnic University of Madrid. The Working with People model is incorporated into the methodological process to analyze rural actors’ understanding of the CFS-RAI principles in different countries and in university–business relation contexts. The results show the effectiveness of the WWP model based on the integration of three dimensions—ethical–social, technical–business, and political–contextual—as an effective method for planning sustainable rural development projects in various contexts. The empirical evidence presented indicates that combining the WWP model with the principles of CFS-RAI in rural contexts allows progress toward sustainable development, balancing economic aspects with human, social, and environmental well-being.