Abstract
Uses the norm entrepreneurs framing to elucidate changes in South American cross-border governance of food and nutritional security. The chapter traces the process by which activists in Southern Brazil, whose initial goal was to preserve the economic viability of family farms facing severe competitive pressures from giant agribusiness firms receiving generous public subsidies, successfully reframed their issue as one of food security for low-income Brazilians. Subsequently, these Brazilian activists built transnational links with similar norm and policy entrepreneurs within MERCOSUR countries, and elsewhere in Latin America. While national policies in most countries remain dominated by export agribusiness, in several countries, especially within Southern South America, a progressive counternarrative is also recognized and has spurred social groups to organize and to impact national food policies.