scholarly journals Sustainable Food Systems and the Mediterranean Diet

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliot M Berry
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Stakeholder Involvement ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Cultural Economic ◽  
Sustainable Food Systems ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
The Mediterranean

During the past decade, the concept of sustainability has been added to the factors involved in food security. This has led to a more comprehensive and holistic approach to sustainable food systems which considers drivers—environment, geopolitics, demographics, policy regulations, socio-cultural-economic factors, science and technology and infrastructure. The outcomes, similarly, involve many dimensions—environment, food security and nutrition, health and socio-cultural-economic aspects. This article discusses the Mediterranean diet in the context of sustainable food systems and shows (as in all parts of the world) that there is food insecurity in every country as monitored by the Global Nutrition Index. Three recent, major reports published in 2019 suggest what measures need to be taken to improve sustainable food systems. All environmental analyses agree on the need to promote more plant-based diets—achieved practically by using “more forks than knives”. The Mediterranean Diet pattern is a case study for a sustainable diet. It has the best scientific evidence for being healthy, together with economic and socio-cultural benefits. A major challenge is that it is not consumed by the majority of the population in the Mediterranean region, and any solution must involve equity—the socially just allocation of resources. The task now is implementation with multi-stakeholder involvement, in the knowledge that “a well fed nation is a healthy nation is a sustainable and productive nation”.

scholarly journals Sustainable food systems and healthy diets: the case of mediterranean diet

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-118
Author(s):  
Anka Trajkovska Petkoska ◽  
Anita Trajkovska-Broach
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Virgin Olive Oil ◽  
Extra Virgin Olive Oil ◽  
Sustainable Food Systems ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
United Nations General ◽  
Healthy Diets ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract Sustainability should be an imperative in everyone’s lifestyle in order to achieve an equilibrium between humans and ecosystem for the wellbeing of current and future generations. Sustainable food systems and healthy diets are main key-players to achieve sustainable planet and lifestyle and at the same time to be in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 to achieve better and sustainable future for all). Such food systems offer not only a way towards ending the hunger, but also enable healthy nations and less environmental pollution. A good representative of a sustainable food system is the Mediterranean diet that is affordable and accessible even in the regions far from the Mediterranean basin. Raw or minimally cooked plant-based food products flavoured by different herbs and spices are the foundation of this diet packed with powerful nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, enriched with healthy fats from extra virgin olive oil. The Mediterranean lifestyle provides many health and wellbeing benefits for humans. Authors believe that adhering to it leads to healthy nations and a sustainable world with less hunger.

Agroecology and sustainable food systems: Participatory research to improve food security among HIV-affected households in northern Malawi

2016 ◽  
Vol 164 ◽  
pp. 89-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanson Nyantakyi-Frimpong ◽  
Faith Nankasa Mambulu ◽  
Rachel Bezner Kerr ◽  
Isaac Luginaah ◽  
Esther Lupafya
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Participatory Research ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Sustainable Food Systems ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Improve Food Security

Agricultural and Food Policy

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Abiodun Elijah Obayelu ◽  
Simeon Olusola Ayansina
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Food Policy ◽  
Policy Intervention ◽  
Sustainable Food Systems ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Adequate Food ◽  
System Sustainability ◽  
Sustainable Food System

Policy plays significant role in defining the food system of any country, and a sustainable food system is necessary for food security. This chapter maps out the causal interactions between food systems, food security and policy, and the challenges in transition to a sustainable food system while respecting the rights of all people to have access to adequate food in Nigeria. Explicit, rigorous, and transparent literature search was undertaken and many articles were assessed and reviewed. Although the results established a mutual relationship between food system and food security, existing literature have widely failed to take interactions between food systems, food security and policy into account. While food production is used as an entry point to improving food system sustainability, the quest for food security are undermining transition towards sustainable food systems. It was found that without right policies in place, it may be difficult to have food systems that are sustainable and ensure food security. This chapter provides a useful contribution to policy, and research on transitions towards sustainable food system. Any policy intervention to address one part of the food systems will impact on other parts and will determine whether a country is food secure or not. Enabling policy environment is therefore essential in ensuring a sustainable food system and for the attainment of food security.

scholarly journals Bridging Sustainability and Food Security Ideas Towards Building Sustainable Food Systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Majing Oloko
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Security Assessment ◽  
Assessment Framework ◽  
Sustainable Food Systems ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Nutritional Security ◽  
Food And Nutritional Security ◽  
Health And Well Being

Having stable access to nutritious and culturally preferred food to maintain health and well-being is still a challenge for many people across the globe. Food insecurity and environmental degradation is rising across the world with interrelated drivers. There has been increasing advocacy for the creation of sustainable food systems to support food and nutritional security without degrading the environment. Bridging sustainability and food security ideas is a step towards building such food systems. However, how to apply ideas of sustainability and food security into building sustainable food systems remains a challenge, given the connection between the two concepts is not well appreciated. I introduce a sustainability and food security assessment framework as a first step for bridging sustainability and food security concepts, towards building sustainable food systems.

scholarly journals Community food assessments: combining community action and policy for a more just and sustainable food system

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Charter
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Community Action ◽  
Policy Action ◽  
Sustainable Food Systems ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
Sustainable Food System

This paper is concerned with the conception of a solution to food insecurity in Canada. I will begin by reviewing the two dominant approaches to food security, the antipoverty approach and the sustainable food systems approach. I will argue that in order to establish a food secure Canada, community action to increase food access and address concerns about production, distribution and consumption needs to happen in conjunction with policy action that seeks to reduce inequality and to promote a more just and sustainable food system. To examine this premise, I will discuss two Canadian Community Food Assessments, which will provide insight into how the food system is playing out in two communities, and what is being done to create a more balanced food system for local residents. I will also provide a discussion of the assessments' recommendations and how they see change coming about in the food system. What needs to happen in order to create food security in Canada? And with who and where are these changes to take place?

scholarly journals Discussion: Food security and sustainable food systems: The role of soil

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matheus Alves Zanella ◽  
Maryam Rahmanian ◽  
Leisa Nicola Perch ◽  
Carolin Callenius ◽  
José Luis Rubio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Sustainable Food Systems ◽  
Sustainable Food

scholarly journals Changing Route: Common Action on Food Systems Transformation in the Mediterranean

New Medit ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Ridolfi ◽  
Sandro Dernini ◽  
Jamie Morrison ◽  
Árni M. Mathiesen ◽  
Roberto Capone
Keyword(s):  
Food Systems ◽  
Sustainable Food Systems ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Agenda 2030 ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Food Security And Nutrition ◽  
Multi Stakeholder ◽  
Systems Transformation ◽  
Union For The Mediterranean ◽  
Common Action

The Coronavirus pandemic has revealed the fragility of our food systems, affecting all dimensions of food security and nutrition across the world. It has highlighted how deeply our world is interconnected and the importance of better recognising and understanding the interconnections that are intrinsic to these systems and their key role in pursuit of the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda. There is now, more than ever, a stronger need for a “route change” towards a common action on food systems transformation. Dialogues among all stakeholders to redesign the future of tomorrow’s food systems are needed to trigger collective, multi-stakeholder actions on the ground, at local, regional and global level, towards more sustainable food systems, linking sustainable food production to more healthy and sustainable food consumption. In this context CIHEAM, FAO, and the Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat (UfMS) initiated in 2019, a joint collaborative effort for the establishment of a multi-stakeholder platform on Sustainable Food Systems in the Mediterranean to accelerate the shift towards the Agenda 2030 in the Mediterranean region, with the Mediterranean diet acting as a driver.

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