Fifteenth International Conference on Food Studies

In early October of 2019, a menu alteration at Bologna’s Feast of the Patron Saint provoked outrage among Italy’s political and media classes. Interpreted by some as an attempt to rewrite national history and by others as evidence of a city-wide conversion to Islam, the controversy stemmed from a municipal decision to commission the manufacture of tortellini – a stuffed pasta typical of the city – filled with chicken rather than the more conventional pork. Critics of this decision collectively pointed to a single source as proof that the substitution violated tradition: a 16th-century recipe by the papal chef Bartolomeo Scappi, which many claimed served as the blueprint for all subsequent tortellini. A closer look at Scappi’s text, however, complicates such assertions – first, because Scappi does not use any pork in his recipe, and second, because he does use chicken. In this presentation, I examine how, in the context of food and communal identity, the past is mobilised to shape the future, drawing on empirical research conducted in Bologna between 2022 and 2023. Using the notion of hauntology and the conceptual and methodological framework of Science and Technology Studies, I explore how food heritage is constructed, maintained, and instrumentalised in the present – that is, how the past is made in the contemporary, both to make sense of who we have been and to shape who we wish to become.

Online Asynchronous

A Rural Food Environment

Munashe Kurehwatira
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

The overlapping crises of climate change, conflicts, public health and economic downturns have exposed the fragility that already exists in the global and local food environments. Disruptions in the food environment have underscored the need to understand the food environments in various contexts to create conditions that enable and encourage rural households to choose healthy diets. However, there is a paucity of information on how much food households are accessing from local food environments as well as the characteristics of these food environments in developing countries. Therefore, this paper characterises the rural food in environment in Zimbabwe. Characterising local food environments provides a better understanding of the dynamics of a rural food environment and generates context-specific information that is important in enhancing local food environments to deliver healthy diets. The paper highlights the rural food environment typology during overlapping crises. This information is important for the formulation of context specific interventions, policies and strategies for building local resilience.

Room 1 - School Room : 2025-10-09 10:50

Rooted in Tradition, Growing for Tomorrow

Sujata KalKal
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

India's agricultural landscape is a tapestry woven with centuries of rich traditions and knowledge that have sustained its diverse communities. This paper explores India's historical agricultural practices, emphasizing their relevance in building a sustainable food production system for the future. From the ancient water management techniques of the Harappan civilization to the diverse crop rotations and agroforestry practices of indigenous farming communities, India’s agricultural traditions hold valuable lessons in resilience and ecological balance. The research critically examines these traditional systems, analysing how they contribute to soil conservation, water preservation, and biodiversity. These are increasingly vital in time-honoured, globally-emphasizing climate change and modern agricultural challenges. By integrating these time-honored practices with modern technologies and policies, the paper proposes a holistic approach to food production that promotes environmental sustainability, food security, and economic equity. Through case studies from different regions of India, the research demonstrates the potential for a synergistic relationship between traditional knowledge and contemporary innovations. Ultimately, this paper aims to offer actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers committed to advancing sustainable food systems in India, while drawing lessons that can be applied on a global scale to ensure a sustainable agricultural future.

Room 1 - School Room : 2025-10-10 10:50

A Systematic Literature Review – Uncovering Hidden Consumer Insights

Rochelle Van Veijeren
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

This systematic literature review explores the application of projective techniques in food consumer research, focusing on how they uncover the underlying emotions, attitudes, and behaviours that consumers may struggle to articulate through traditional surveys. These techniques offer deeper, more subtle insights into the motivations driving consumer behaviour – insights that may not emerge through direct questioning alone. The review identifies key trends and gaps in the application of projective techniques within food consumer research. These insights are essential for uncovering the hidden motives behind purchasing and consumption behaviours, providing valuable implications for consumer research. The findings are particularly relevant to researchers and professionals in food marketing, food retailing, consumer research, and consumer behaviour, offering valuable tools to better understand the complex factors influencing consumer food preferences, food choices, restaurant experiences, and food shopping behaviour.

Room 1 - School Room : 2025-10-08 14:35

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