Food councils and citizens – FoodSHIFT 2030 webinar

How can citizens be more engaged in transforming food systems? Food Councils are one way and the FoodSHIFT2030 project highlighted the work of three Food Councils in Europe in its latest webinar. Chair Beatrice Walthall, from the Leibniz Centre for Agriculture Landscape Research invited the Food Councils of Berlin, Amsterdam, and Ghent.

Lisa Haarhoff started the discussion by introducing the Ernährungsrat Berlin. One major goal of this Food Council is the shift towards an eco-friendly food system by 2030 and herby, to include all social classes. To accomplish this, the Food Council functions as a bridge between society and the local government.

The Food Council MRA consolidates the aims for sustainable food in the region of Amsterdam. One of the projects promotes an alternative supermarket that brings together all small and regional entrepreneurs.

Finally, the webinar looked at the approach of the Food Council in Ghent. This Food Council combines both bottom-up and top-to-bottom approaches to make sure no stakeholder is left out in the transformation of the food system.

FoodSHIFT2030 is a Horizon 2020 project promoting food systems innovations in nine cities across Europe. More information about the 9 nine FoodSHIFT Labs is available on the FoodSHIFT2030 website. Follow the project on social media using @FoodSHIFT2030 on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. IFOAM Organics Europe contributes to the conceptual framework for further development of governance strategies and food policy strategies. We will also disseminate project outputs within the organic network and at our main events.