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Conference paper2022

Food Planning for Sustainable Consumption and Healthier Living

Fernqvist, Fredrik; Jönsson, Håkan; Sarlöv-Herlin, Ingrid; Wahlström, Annsofie; Gallagher, Andrew

Abstract

Food systems consist of the entire range of actors involved in food value chain, from farm to fork, and their activities. A sustainable food system “delivers food security and nutrition for all in such a way that the economic, social and environmental bases to generate food security and nutrition for future generation are not compromised” (FAO, 2018, p. 1). However, current food systems are broken, in that the food supply chain, the food environment and citizen behaviour lead to undesirable food systems outputs and poor health outcomes, such as obesity, nutrient deficiencies, food waste, cardiovascular diseases and other negative outcomes (WHO, 2021). This includes issues such as citizens’ insufficient knowledge about food (food literacy) and sedentary behaviours.

Whereas food availability, access, and utilization, from a health perspective, are central outcomes of the food system (Ericksen, 2008), other externalities regard, for example, negative climate impact, biodiversity and habitat losses, environmental degradation, the loss of rural communities and decreasing farmer incomes. Recent crises also have shed light on issues such as food system resilience, food provision and sufficiency.

Information and education are commonly suggested as a way to push consumers in a healthier direction (e.g., European commission, 2020), but the toolbox for facilitating healthier eating is diverse. A holistic approach is needed to address the challenges associated with achieving healthier eating and healthier lifestyles. Planning for sustainable food systems requires interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches.

Published in


Publisher: Uppsala Health Summit

Conference

Uppsala Health Summit. "Healthy Lives from Sustainable Food Systems", Oct 25-26 - 2022, Uppsala Sweden