Policy intervention areas towards Nordic sustainable food systems

Authors

• Silvia Gaiani Ruralia Institute, University of Helsinki, Kampusranta 9C, 60100 Seinäjoki, Finland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.164004

Keywords:

Nordic countries, sustainability, food policies, evidence-based recommendations, theoretical framework

Abstract

The article builds upon the White Paper on Nordic Sustainable Food Systems: Pathways and Intervention Areas, which was written between October 2023 and May 2024 by eight Nordic researchers belonging to different academic organisations in the framework of an NKJ (Nordic Joint Committee for Food and Agricultural Research) sponsored project. The article aims to address two research questions: (1) What are the most feasible strategies to implement a food system approach in the Nordic countries? and (2) What is the role that academic and research institutions can play in promoting Nordic sustainable food systems? The article further articulates the 12 intervention areas presented in the white paper, which have been organized in 5 macro areas, namely food governance, primary production and fisheries, nutrition and education, local food, and food self-sufficiency and food waste. It combines different research and analytical methodologies with the development of an original theoretical framework and proposes actionable suggestions for researchers and policymakers interested in strengthening sustainability in food systems and food practices.