This chapter offers a critical synthesis of the current scholarly and policy discourse on the resilience of local food systems in the face of global disruptions such as climate change, pandemics, and economic instability. It introduces an integrated theoretical framework grounded in food systems theory, resilience thinking, and social-ecological systems analysis to assess the structural and functional characteristics that support adaptability and sustainability. Through the review, four essential elements of resilient food systems are identified: production diversity, localized distribution networks, community participation, and the incorporation of traditional ecological knowledge. In addition to outlining these enabling factors, the chapter examines cross-cutting challenges—including environmental uncertainty, policy fragmentation, market limitations, and demographic transitions—that threaten the viability of localized food networks. By linking conceptual insights to actionable strategies, this chapter serves as a foundation for understanding and contextualizing the applied case studies presented in the chapters that follow.