A comparison of seven academic and nonacademic urban food system resilience assessment frameworks

Diverse food system resilience frameworks and assessment tools are being developed to measure food system performance in the face of disruptive events. The divide between academic research and gray literature can result in inaccessibility of assessment tools to communities and non-academic researche...

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Main Authors: Kara E. Walker, Tricia Jenkins, Dustin R. Kohn, Rebekkah Stuteville, Eleni D. Pliakoni, Priscilla Brenes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1563029/full
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author Kara E. Walker
Tricia Jenkins
Dustin R. Kohn
Rebekkah Stuteville
Eleni D. Pliakoni
Priscilla Brenes
author_facet Kara E. Walker
Tricia Jenkins
Dustin R. Kohn
Rebekkah Stuteville
Eleni D. Pliakoni
Priscilla Brenes
author_sort Kara E. Walker
collection DOAJ
description Diverse food system resilience frameworks and assessment tools are being developed to measure food system performance in the face of disruptive events. The divide between academic research and gray literature can result in inaccessibility of assessment tools to communities and non-academic researchers. The authors performed a literature review and selected seven urban food system resilience assessment frameworks for comparison with resilience attributes, as well as consideration of their intended audience; spatial scope; data type; data collection; strengths; and ease of use. The frameworks were found to match between three and seven of the ten identified resilience attributes, with a range of intended audiences. Framework data collection methodologies included surveys, spatial data analysis, and mixed methods approaches to collect quantitative, semi-quantitative, and qualitative data. Most of the included frameworks include flexible indicators and metrics for investigators to collect relevant data for their planning goals. While the ability to develop unique metrics can be a strength, undefined metrics present an issue for non-academic researchers in communities seeking to effectively assess their own food system. Limitations in existing assessment tools include a wide range of intended outcomes and burdensome data collection. The comparison of the assessment tools resulted in recommendations of frameworks for academic and non-academic researchers and revealed gaps including a lack of fair labor considerations. This review allows researchers to develop effective frameworks for diverse users to prioritize resilience in food systems.
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spelling doaj-art-695a0e657df643bf974afadfe50c5dbf2025-08-20T02:30:54ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2025-05-01910.3389/fsufs.2025.15630291563029A comparison of seven academic and nonacademic urban food system resilience assessment frameworksKara E. Walker0Tricia Jenkins1Dustin R. Kohn2Rebekkah Stuteville3Eleni D. Pliakoni4Priscilla Brenes5Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources, Kansas State University, Olathe, KS, United StatesCollege of Applied and Professional Studies, Kansas State University, Olathe, KS, United StatesDepartment of Horticulture and Natural Resources, Kansas State University, Olathe, KS, United StatesMetropolitan Community College, Maple Woods, Kansas City, MO, United StatesDepartment of Horticulture and Natural Resources, Kansas State University, Olathe, KS, United StatesDepartment of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics, and Health, College of Health and Human Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United StatesDiverse food system resilience frameworks and assessment tools are being developed to measure food system performance in the face of disruptive events. The divide between academic research and gray literature can result in inaccessibility of assessment tools to communities and non-academic researchers. The authors performed a literature review and selected seven urban food system resilience assessment frameworks for comparison with resilience attributes, as well as consideration of their intended audience; spatial scope; data type; data collection; strengths; and ease of use. The frameworks were found to match between three and seven of the ten identified resilience attributes, with a range of intended audiences. Framework data collection methodologies included surveys, spatial data analysis, and mixed methods approaches to collect quantitative, semi-quantitative, and qualitative data. Most of the included frameworks include flexible indicators and metrics for investigators to collect relevant data for their planning goals. While the ability to develop unique metrics can be a strength, undefined metrics present an issue for non-academic researchers in communities seeking to effectively assess their own food system. Limitations in existing assessment tools include a wide range of intended outcomes and burdensome data collection. The comparison of the assessment tools resulted in recommendations of frameworks for academic and non-academic researchers and revealed gaps including a lack of fair labor considerations. This review allows researchers to develop effective frameworks for diverse users to prioritize resilience in food systems.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1563029/fullfood system assessmentgray literatureindicator frameworksurban food systemsplanning and governance
spellingShingle Kara E. Walker
Tricia Jenkins
Dustin R. Kohn
Rebekkah Stuteville
Eleni D. Pliakoni
Priscilla Brenes
A comparison of seven academic and nonacademic urban food system resilience assessment frameworks
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
food system assessment
gray literature
indicator frameworks
urban food systems
planning and governance
title A comparison of seven academic and nonacademic urban food system resilience assessment frameworks
title_full A comparison of seven academic and nonacademic urban food system resilience assessment frameworks
title_fullStr A comparison of seven academic and nonacademic urban food system resilience assessment frameworks
title_full_unstemmed A comparison of seven academic and nonacademic urban food system resilience assessment frameworks
title_short A comparison of seven academic and nonacademic urban food system resilience assessment frameworks
title_sort comparison of seven academic and nonacademic urban food system resilience assessment frameworks
topic food system assessment
gray literature
indicator frameworks
urban food systems
planning and governance
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1563029/full
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