Using Network Analysis to Understand a Food System

Interest in locally produced food has grown significantly over the years, as evidenced by the expansion of local food systems in regions across the United States. Yet while some have become incredibly robust—weathering closures during COVID with ease and even capitalizing on the opportunities presented by the disruption to the conventional food system—others have faltered and stalled. Why? What makes a food system successful and resilient? Network analysis offers a unique opportunity to understand food systems as networks, allowing us to identify network features that are determinants of food system success and resilience.