Lara, Szymon Wojciech and Tsiami, Amalia ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1122-4814 (2026) Forgotten crops – minor roles, major values. A case study from the United Kingdom. International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science, 46. ISSN 1878-450X

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Abstract

Maximising food production has driven unsustainable agri-food practices that accelerate biodiversity loss and weaken food and nutrition security, dietary diversity, and systems resilience. These dynamics have marginalised minor and traditional crops. Yet, underutilised crops, alongside their commodity relatives, could strengthen local economies, preserve biocultural heritage, and enhance nutrition security through diversified supply chains. This study identifies barriers and facilitators to integrating forgotten crops into modern food systems. Using a qualitative case design centred on a UK wholesaler that distributes minor edibles and connects actors across a niche value chain. We have conducted eight semi-structured interviews (non-random snowball sampling), recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed the data in NVivo Pro 14 software. Key barriers identified include supply-demand mismatches, inadequate pricing mechanisms and limited stakeholder awareness. Facilitators include relational, trust-based and flexible value chains that enable rapid adaptation and de-risking. Independent chefs emerge as key actors that translate agrobiodiversity into flavour-led menus, building demand and normalising seasonal procurement. We argue that effective food systems diversification requires coordinated action by producers, wholesalers, retailers, chefs, consumers and policymakers, alongside targeted education efforts and more flexible procurement and pricing mechanisms. For gastronomy and food science, these findings motivate sensory characterisation and nutritional profiling of minor crops to support menu integration, forecasting and quality at scale.

Item Type:	Article
Identifier:	10.1016/j.ijgfs.2026.101688
Keywords:	Forgotten crops ; Minor varieties ; Supply chains ; Value chains ; Food security ; Sustainability ; Resilience ; Biocultural heritage ; Food systems diversification
Subjects:	Hospitality and tourism > Culinary arts > Food studies
Date Deposited:	21 Oct 2026
Dates:	Date Publication status 3 October 2026 Accepted 8 October 2026 Published Online 15 October 2026 Published
School, department or research centre:	London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism
Keywords:	Forgotten crops ; Minor varieties ; Supply chains ; Value chains ; Food security ; Sustainability ; Resilience ; Biocultural heritage ; Food systems diversification
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/15556

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