Purpose. This research aims to further the knowledge base around the food practices of low-income indi-viduals that are either conspicuously or inconspicuously contributing to the circularity of the food system in the urban context. It does so by answering the following research question: What (in)conspicuously circular food practices do low-income individuals in Amsterdam Zuidoost engage in and how can further adoption of circular food practices be encouraged among them?’ By answering this research question, the study aims to provide insights for policymakers and others working on circularity in the food system into how to make the transition to an urban circular food system more inclusive, and thus more successful.
Methods. Both low-income individuals and organizations active in the food space, with a link to circularity and inclusion, were interviewed in a semi-structured manner.
Results. The research results show that low-income individuals in Amsterdam Zuidoost engage in a wide range of circular food practices, with a focus on prevention of food waste and the reuse of food for human consumption. The majority of food practices engaged in are inconspicuously circular. Conspicuous circular food practices concerned the end-of-life stage of food, and/or were practiced by higher-educated individu-als or those with a Surinamese background.
Implications. The following recommendations for increasing the adoption of circular food practices among low-income individuals in Amsterdam Zuidoost result from this research: First, food-related meanings such as health, cultural appropriateness, solidarity/community and the belief that food should not be wasted are very important to this group. Additionally, financial pressures are also experienced widely. Practitioners would do well ensuring that policies and interventions take both these meanings and the financial realities into account. Second, suggestions by the low-income individuals themselves showed a preferred focus on increasing access to materials and further developing competences that are part of circular food practices.