A systematic literature review of Indigenous food sharing practices to inform the design of transformative food-service initiatives and experiences

Abstract

Purpose Indigenous cultural food practices are widely recognised for strengthening the wellbeing of families and communities. Traditionally, these practices also involve the sharing of surplus food to maintain communal harmony and ecological balance. However, modern societies tend to disregard these practices and rather discard food. These actions counteract attempts of current surplus food redistribution initiatives. This study undertakes a systematic literature review to explore how Indigenous food sharing practices can inform the design of contemporary surplus food-service initiatives and reshape perceptions of service experiences. Design/methodology/approach Following the PRISMA protocol, a Scopus search was performed using the keywords “food” and “shar*” in Indigenous-focused journals. Twenty-five papers met the inclusion criteria, and the extracted data were scrutinised using thematic analysis. Findings This review shows that food sharing practices have been central to all Indigenous cultures examined. The findings identify several determinants and forms of food sharing that contribute to all aspects of wellbeing. However, multiple barriers exist that limit these practices. Addressing these barriers requires capacity building strategies, i.e. integrating cultural insights into the co-design of contemporary transformative food-service initiatives can enable sustainable service design and positive service experiences. Originality/value This review is both timely and relevant to the service design and transformative service research literature, as it provides a foundation for co-designing effective transformative food-service initiatives.