Editorial: Innovation dynamics for the transition to sustainable food systems

Sustainability and innovation are two buzzwords in policy and academic discourses which are undoubtedly growing in their interplay and interconnections. Indeed, innovation has gradually emerged as a pivotal tool and policy component in the pursuit of sustainability goals (Herrero et al., 2020). At the same time, food systems are facing ever-growing challenges, given the increasing global population, escalating food demand, and intensifying competition for resources. The transition toward a more sustainable model of food production and consumption is a key challenge for shaping the future of the global food system, which requires tackling all phases of food chains and compelling the food chain actors to rethink their operating paradigms (den Boer et al., 2021). Such a paradigm shift concerns all sectors of the food value chain and requires the adoption of innovative solutions that are accessible, affordable, available, and inclusive (Rosenthal et al., 2021). Furthermore, given the complexity of the food system, innovative solutions should not be confined to productivity-centric approaches alone; but actors should rather explore and encompass in their activities the social, institutional, technological, and organizational dimensions, considering the wide-ranging environmental and societal challenges inherent in food systems (Herrero et al., 2021).