Community kitchens in agroecological food system transition: key analytical dimensions in hill farming of Uttarakhand in north-western India

Community kitchens hold considerable promise for advancing an agroecological food transition by nurturing local food systems, empowering communities, and promoting sustainable practices. In the context of Uttarakhand’s subsistence hill farming, community kitchens are considered essential for ensuring food security, particularly for vulnerable households. They serve as a vital safety net, providing access to nutritious meals, especially during periods of scarcity or hardship, while also fostering community solidarity. By enabling the use of locally sourced, diverse, and nutritious foods, and enhancing food security and community resilience, they are deemed crucial in the shift toward more sustainable agroecological food systems. This manuscript specifically investigates the key analytical components concerning the role of community kitchens in the transition to an agroecological food system within the hill farming area of Uttarakhand in north-western India, serving as a model case study. This includes: i) their contribution to enhancing the livelihoods and food security of local populations; ii) their capacity to revitalize traditional farming practices; iii) the role of community kitchens as a promising avenue for youth engagement in food system transformation; iv) the influence of community kitchens on school meal programs; v) the effectiveness of community kitchens in both rural and urban environments; vi) the performance of community kitchens in addressing food security compared to free or subsidized ration programs; vii) the necessary supportive policies and political commitment required to establish and maintain community kitchens; viii) the relationship between community kitchens and circular, solidarity, and political economy, and ix) the contribution of community kitchens to the food sovereignty movement. It is anticipated that the findings of this study will underscore community kitchens as catalysts for change, promoting a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient food system.