How data-driven, privately ordered sustainability governance shapes US food supply chains: The case of field to market

Multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs) establish metrics and collect farm-level data to measure sustainability in the food system. Rooted private sector, MSIs advance goals that were once responsibility of state. To make sense this trend, we distinguish three ideal types accountability systems United States agrifood system: community-based, state-led, private-ordering systems. We explore implications data-driven for distribution power along a supply chain by analyzing Field Market, prominent US-based MSI. A central feature Market are commodity producers can use assess their performance which provide manufacturers retailers support claims. Compared state-led environmental efforts from 1940s until 1980s, depended on farmers voluntarily adhering regulations, rely upon generation circulation create nascent, privately ordered bureaucracy. This change governance has purported undeclared consequences chains. Market's promise continuous improvements agricultural system, but they also help coordinate chains, facilitate commodification farm management data, reframe meaning sustainability.