Limited attention has been paid by geographers to the Irish food system beyond
the farm gate. Yet the last two decades have witnessed a substantial transformation
in the provision of food and in patterns of consumption. This extended
introduction to a set of four themed papers considers the role played by corporate
retailing in refashioning the urban foodscape and in restructuring agri-food
supply chains. The article aims to highlight the significant disconnection that
exists between the realms of production and consumption, and outlines the
potential of alternative visions and practices that offer a way of reconnecting
them. Finally, the article will introduce the four papers which provide an
illustration of the range and depth of analysis that geographers can bring to the
study of the Irish food system.