ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book suggests the condition of food and nutrition security should be considered a global commons or a global public good as it is beneficial for the community, the nations and the planet in general. It explores the links between food, knowledge and commons. The book deals with a theme of extreme topicality and relevance for both public and private actors involved in the food system in Europe: the commodification of food surplus as charitable provision. It describes the thriving community-based food self-provisioning in Central and Eastern European countries as socially inclusive practices that involve all strata of society and are deeply rooted in customary traditions. The transformative and imaginative potential of the commons has been synthetized by the idea of the commons as a political tool and horizon.
