Tool 4: Game Structure and Methodology

Ever thought of food systems as a GAME? Like football, they have players, rules, goals etc. This framework helps compare food system cases easily!

Let’s think of food system cases like a football game—which has a playing field (context), players (food system actors), moves (activities), rules (boundries, laws…), a goal (sustainability outcome)  etc. This GAME framework helps us map food system case studies, revealing best practices and avoiding duplication.

You can use the structured template (on the right) to break down a case study into key aspects, such as:

  • Case history & main characteristics
  • Actor interactions & governance evolution
  • Sustainability outcomes
  • Collaboration dynamics
  • External inputs & outputs of involved actors
Download the template

 

GAME framework (Source: de Vries et al., 2024 https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1399275)

Who is this tool for?

This tool is designed for any food system actor who wants to map, analyze, or learn from existing case studies such as:

  • public & private,
  • academic,
  • philanthropic, or
  • non-governmental sectors.

What are the benefits?

✅Quick insights: Compare food system case studies.

✅Easy to understand: A game-based approach makes complex cases relatable.

✅Learn from the best: Spot good practices and avoid duplicaton.

✅Make better decisions: Assess governance, collaboration, and sustainability to guide your next steps.

Re-use our case study template to simplify your analysis and uncover best practices—download it now and start comparing!

References:

  1. De Vries, H., Donner, M. & Axelos, M. (2022). Sustainable food systems science based on physics principles. Trends in Food Science and Technology, Elsevier, 2022, 123, pp.382 392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2022.03.027 (original version)
  2. de Vries H, Donner M, Fabiano F, Mamès M, Lazaro-Mojica J, Cotillas E, Avila C, Martínez J, Alcat G, Rossi D, Pierantoni E, Marini T, Bruen A, Vordemfelde J, Amorese V, Lirosi L and Voyatzakis A (2024) Co-creation in partnerships contributing to the sustainability of food systems: insights from 52 case studies in Europe. Front. Sustain. Food Syst. 8:1399275. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1399275
  3. De Vries, H.; Donner, M.; Fabiano, F. and Mamès, M. (2024) A new methodology for collaborative business models in the transition towards sustainable food systems. In: Routledge Handbook of Agribusiness; Editors Alessio Cavicchi, Domenico Dentoni, and Gianluca Brunori. Accepted for publication.
  4. FOODPathS document “Report on Mapping Results“