Discussion: moving food regimes forward: reflections on symposium essays

All authors in this symposium use a food regime perspective to ask questions about the present which-as these articles demonstrate-have several possible answers. History suggests a time perspective of 25-40 year cycles so far-a food regime 1870-1914, an experimental and chaotic era 1914-1947, and a food regime 1947-1973. It has been less than 40 years since 1973, when food regime analysts agree that a contested and experimental period began. There is no consensus on whether it has already ended or how it might issue into a new food regime. The conversation is more fruitful than the conclusions. I intend these comments as an invitation to join in.