The journal Sustainability (MDPI) has opened a new Special Issue titled “Building Sustainable and Diversified Food Systems Through Organic Practices and Consumer Participation”, inviting researchers to submit scientific contributions that address current challenges in food system sustainability.
This Special Issue is closely connected to the scientific conference held in Coimbra, which brought together researchers working on organic agriculture, agroecology, crop diversity and food system transitions. Contributions are encouraged to build on research questions, methodologies and interdisciplinary perspectives discussed during the conference, while also welcoming new scientific work aligned with its thematic focus.
It aims to advance knowledge on holistic approaches to food system transformation, with particular emphasis on organic and participatory practices, crop and seed diversity, and the links between biological processes and socio-cultural dimensions of agriculture. It seeks to highlight how organic agriculture and agroecology can contribute to more sustainable, resilient and diversified food systems, from field to plate.
Research contributions may explore topics such as organic and participatory plant breeding, seed renewal and cultivar development, plant–microbiome interactions, food quality, consumer and citizen participation, and the role of policies and regulations at local, national, and international levels. Methodological approaches that connect agronomic sciences with social sciences and policy analysis are particularly welcome, reflecting the transdisciplinary ambition of the Special Issue.
LiveSeeding editorial team
The Special Issue is edited by Dr. Véronique Chable (INRA Centre Bretagne-Normandie, France) and Dr. Pedro M. R. Mendes-Moreira (Polytechnic of Coimbra – Coimbra College of Agriculture, Portugal), whose research expertise spans agroecology, crop diversity, organic plant breeding and sustainable agriculture.
Researchers are invited to submit original research articles, review papers or short communications. Manuscripts must be submitted online via the journal’s submission system. Authors may also send a provisional title and short abstract to the Editorial Office for initial assessment before complete submission.
The deadline for manuscript submissions is 31 October 2026. All submissions will undergo single-blind peer review, and accepted papers will be published on a rolling basis within the Special Issue.
Submission to special issue here.
