Local actors of sustainable food governance: case study of profile, activities and motivations in community gardens of Berlin

This study investigated what are the food governance activities of community gardens in Berlin, including who are the people doing it and why. The case study had documentary and bibliographic research, in addition to 20 interviews and questionnaires with gardeners, researchers, and a policy maker between 2020 and 2023. The analysis showed a sustainable governance model based on urban commons, which focuses on the use-value and sharing of resources (including food). There, the gardeners (typically volunteers), engage in gardening as a hobby for social interaction, leisure, and connecting with nature while producing food. Surprisingly, some participants found a professional career in urban gardening. Despite their successes, these gardens face threats from urban policies that could lead to their elimination. The study argues that protecting community gardens is crucial for transforming the food system and empowering citizens to challenge the dominant agro-industrial model. This underscores the power of grassroots movements to influence policy and create sustainable alternatives, offering valuable insights for global food policy discussions.