Summary
Behrens and Poore examine the lack of standardised boundaries in how food systems are conceptualised and delineated across research and policy discourse. As suggested by the title, this commentary or review identifies how inconsistent boundary definitions impede coherent measurement, comparison and governance of food systems outcomes—a foundational problem for integrated assessment of farming, nutrition and environmental impacts.
UK applicability
The findings are likely relevant to UK food policy and research coordination, particularly as government and research bodies (DEFRA, BBSRC, UKRI) work to align food systems metrics across agricultural, health and environmental briefs. Clearer boundary definitions would support UK-based whole-systems research and policy integration.
Key measures
Definitional frameworks for food systems; boundary-setting criteria; typologies of systems inclusion/exclusion
Outcomes reported
The paper likely examines how food systems boundaries are defined (or poorly defined) across research, policy and practice contexts. It presumably identifies inconsistencies or gaps in current boundary-setting frameworks that affect measurement, comparison and policy alignment.
Topic tags
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