Understanding personal food values in social movements : evidence from Slow Food Germany

Abstract

Food movements play an increasingly influential role in shaping ethical debates and food system practices. Yet, little empirical research has explored the moral frameworks that guide food movements. This study addresses that gap by introducing the Values System for Food, a new methodological instrument adapted from Schwartz’s Short Value Survey. Designed to assess food-related personal values, the tool captures eight core values through 31 targeted statements. We applied this instrument in a proof-of-concept study on Slow Food Germany—a group chosen for its explicit ethical agenda of promoting food that is “good, clean, and fair.” Our aim was to explore the ethical architecture of the organization by focusing on how the personal value systems of members align with the movement’s core principles. Specifically, we examined the degree of value coherence among participants and the dominant ethical orientations present in the group. Notably, our analysis revealed no significant differences in the value portfolios across subgroups in the organization, challenging the common assumption that these subgroups would exhibit distinct value patterns. Challenging initial expectations of a dominant hedonistic–universalist orientation, our findings reveal a more nuanced configuration, with universalism, security, and self-direction emerging as key priorities. This suggests that food ethics within social movements is not monolithic but composed of diverse, interacting moral commitments. By tracing the ethical foundations of Slow Food Germany, this study offers both empirical insight and conceptual advancement in understanding how grassroots movements contribute to ethical transformation of food systems. It engages with debates on food sovereignty and justice in food governance, showing how ethical commitments are shaped and maintained within participatory, value-driven organizations.