Circular food system governance at the local level: Perspective from a Canadian case study

Abstract Concerns about unsustainable food systems have led regions and cities to adopt a circular economy (CE). However, most literature has focused on tangible aspects, with investigation of the social and institutional dimensions. This paper examines how governance and institutional dynamics shape circular food systems, drawing on the Eastern Canadian agrifood hub of Saint‐Hyacinthe. We argue that while tailoring governance to local contexts is seen as beneficial, it can also produce unequal outcomes, depending on how public authorities perceive the CE, interact with one another, and engage with other actors. We conducted a content analysis of 69 planning documents and 21 institutional actor interviews. We show that tensions between market‐driven objectives and sustainability goals among authorities can create an uneven distribution of benefits, while confusion about roles and responsibilities hinder implementation. Informal strategies often emerge as essential to overcome institutional gaps and advance initiatives. Our analysis highlights the importance of inclusive actor engagement and of navigating market logic so that interventions serve the common good across short‐term economic benefits and long‐term sustainability goals. Future CE governance frameworks must therefore balance stability with flexibility, keeping formal and informal pathways accessible to diverse actors while maintaining accountability and continuity in CE initiatives.