The social, health, environmental and economic components of the food system are interrelated in many ways, but are often treated independently of one other. More holistic and coherent measures are needed that take this into account. In doing so, it is important to identify conflicting goals and synergies and to address them with the involvement of all relevant stakeholders. To do this, an approach is needed that looks at the food system as a whole. The Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) is helping to drive this food systems approach nationally and internationally, particularly in its role as co-leader of the One Planet Network (10YFP) Sustainable Food Systems Programme.
Why do we need a food systems approach?
The food security and nutrition concept
Food security is defined by the FAO in its Global Strategic Framework for Food Security as follows: Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. The four pillars of food security are availability, access, utilisation and stability. The nutritional dimension is integral to the concept of food security.
In 2020, the High Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) of the United Nations Committee on World Food Security (CFS) published a report entitled ʻFood security and nutrition: building a global narrative towards 2030’, which sets out a broader understanding of food security and nutrition through the dimensions of sustainability and agency. According to the report, food security only exists if food is available, accessible and can be utilised, if individuals and groups can determine their own diet and agriculture, and if food is produced sustainably. Expanding the understanding of food security and nutrition to include the dimensions of sustainability and agency underlines Switzerland’s position of a systemic and holistic approach to food systems.
Since the end of the Second World War, food systems have succeeded in providing a rapidly growing world population with an ever-increasing supply of diverse foods. However, this great achievement has also left its mark. Food systems are driving climate change, biodiversity loss and a host of other global challenges, while also suffering from the consequences of these challenges. Only about two thirds of all food produced is actually consumed – the rest is lost or wasted. Non-communicable diseases resulting from imbalanced diets have become a major risk to human health. All this underlines the need for a shift towards greater sustainability.
A food system comprises all activities along the food value chain, including consumption and disposal as well as factors related to it such as infrastructure and marketing. It also includes their impact on the environment, the economy and society. A food system can be considered sustainable if food security is ensured for everyone without compromising the economic, social and environmental foundations for present and future generations. The Federal Office for Agriculture advocates sustainable food systems at three levels:
Sustainable diets
Sustainable diets are eating habits with a low environmental impact that contribute to a healthy life and preserve the livelihoods of both present and future generations. A sustainable diet protects biodiversity and the climate, is culturally acceptable, nutritious and healthy, and economically fair and affordable. The concept of a sustainable diet establishes a link between the production and consumption sides in the food system. It contributes to the health of people as well as the planet.
Follow-up process to the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit 2021
In view of the multiple challenges in food systems worldwide, a UN Food Systems Summit was held in September 2021.
Over 150 member countries presented their priorities for transforming their food systems and pledged their commitment within international multi-stakeholder coalitions formed in the framework of the Summit.
A key outcome of the Summit was the strong momentum and consensus on the need to bring about a transformation of food systems. In the context of the Summit, some 30 coalitions were launched and over 110 countries have since developed and submitted national pathways to transform their food systems. A follow-up process was put into place to accompany the implementation of the results in the form of biennial conferences up until 2030.
Switzerland's national pathway is based on the 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy 2030 (2030 SDS) and the results of the dialogues held between March and June 2021 in preparation for the Food Systems Summit. Switzerland also joined the Agroecology Coalition and The Coalition of Action for Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems for Children & All.
National implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy (Agenda 2030)
With the 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy (2030 SDS) and the associated 2021–2023 Action Plan, the Federal Council defines the transformation towards sustainable food systems as a key issue for Switzerland to implement the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To this end, it defines four goals on healthy and sustainable nutrition, reduction of food waste, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions along the food value chain, and environmentally and animal-friendly agriculture. The associated 2021–2022 Action Plan provides further details.
Agroecology
Agroecology refers to holistic, systems-oriented and science-based agriculture that is guided by social, cultural, political, economic and ecological principles, with a focus on farmers' experiences and shared learning. This includes local and innovative marketing models that bring producers, processors and consumers closer together. Agroecology contributes to building sustainable food systems.
Switzerland and Agroecology
Switzerland considers agroecology a crucial approach for achieving transformation towards more sustainable food systems. The 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy, which aims to support the implementation of the transformation towards sustainable food systems at home and abroad, refers to the exploitation of agroecological approaches to strengthen the resilience of food systems. Furthermore, the Federal Council will take agroecological principles into account in its proposals for the further development of agricultural policy. Agroecology is a core topic in the 2022–2026 Work Programme of Agroscope, the Swiss Confederation's centre of excellence for agricultural research, and is a valuable approach to promoting locally adapted agriculture and creating resilient and sustainable agricultural and food systems. At international level, Switzerland is one of the first signatory states of the Agroecology Coalition established at the UN Food Systems Summit, which aims to strengthen agroecological approaches in research, policy and investment. Switzerland also advocates greater consideration of agroecology in multilateral institutions (i.e. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, IFAD, CGIAR).
Further information
Links
Follow-up process to the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit 2021
Sustainable diets
Agroecology
Documentation
Follow-up process to the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit 2021
Agroecology
Last modification 09.01.2023
Contact
Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG)International Affairs and Food Systems
Schwarzenburgstrasse 165
3003 Bern