Enabling sustainable food systems

FAO

Enabling sustainable food systems

Innovators’ handbook

Year of publication 2020

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 262 p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (stand-alone)

ISBN 978-92-5-132990-0

Edition 1

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) Sustainable food systems are fundamental to ensuring that future generations are food secure and eat healthy diets. To transition towards sustainability, many food system activities must be reconstructed, and myriad actors around the world are starting to act locally. While some changes are easier than others, knowing how to navigate through them to promote sustainable consumption and production practices requires complex skill sets. This handbook is written for “sustainable food systems innovators” by a group of innovators from Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe who are leading initiatives to grow, share, sell and consume more sustainable foods in their local contexts. It includes experiences that are changing the organizational structures of local food systems to make them more sustainable. The handbook is organized as a “choose your own adventure” story where each reader – individually or in a facilitated group – can develop their own personalized learning and action journeys according to their priorities. The topics included in this handbook are arranged into four categories of innovations: engaging consumers, producing sustainably, getting products to market and getting organized.

Last updated date 04/03/2021 (abstract updated)

Cite this content as:

FAO and INRAE. 2020. Enabling sustainable food systems: Innovators’ handbook. Rome.

https://doi.org/10.4060/ca9917en

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Language English

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During this webinar, organized by the SFS-MED Platform and held on 26 January 2023, stakeholders from across the Mediterranean shared experiences and successful cases from the consumer perspective, including on transparent information and consumer education and innovative pathways for sustainable public procurement. Panelists and speakers highlighted how consumers should be at the center of all elements of the food system, from food research to food production and procurement, as well as food industry, environments and marketing. The discussion was instrumental in demonstrating that empowering consumers to make informed food choices is key to enabling the transformation of Mediterranean food systems. In this context, the Mediterranean diet can be a strategic resource for driving transformative change, with its environmental, social, cultural, health and economic benefits. Education for sustainable consumption enables individuals and social groups to become actors of change by providing knowledge, values and skills to make environmentally friendly, ethically sound, and responsible decisions as consumers. Moreover, involving consumers in research and innovation processes (consumer-driven data) is needed to better understand their needs and preferences. Finally, targeted policy frameworks and multi-stakeholder partnerships can leverage public food procurement schemes to promote the Mediterranean diet, while supporting local economies and environmental sustainability.
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Also available in:

Chinese
English
Spanish

Les systèmes alimentaires durables sont essentiels pour assurer la sécurité alimentaire et une alimentation saine pour les générations futures. Pour faire la transition vers la durabilité, de nombreuses activités du système alimentaire doivent se transformer, et une myriade d’acteurs à travers le monde doivent agir localement. Certains changements sont plus faciles à mettre en place que d’autres, mais savoir comment naviguer à travers ces changements pour promouvoir des modes de consommation et de production durables exige un ensemble de compétences complexes. Ce manuel, adressé aux «innovateurs de systèmes alimentaires durables», est rédigé par un groupe d’innovateurs d’Asie, d’Afrique, des Amériques et d’Europe qui mènent des initiatives pour cultiver, partager, vendre et consommer des aliments plus durables dans leur contexte local. Le manuel inclut des expériences de changement dans l’organisation des systèmes alimentaires locaux pour les rendre plus durables. Il est rédigé sous la forme d’un «livre dont vous êtes le héros» où chaque lecteur ou groupe de lecteurs peut identifier ses priorités et développer son parcours d’apprentissage et d’action. Les sujets abordés dans ce manuel sont répartis en trois groupes d’innovations organisationnelles: l’engagement des consommateurs, la production durable et la mise en marché des produits.