Session : Sustainable Food Consumption: Challenges and Solutions

Environmental issues, particularly those related to climate change, are a daily concern for consumers. Consequently, environmental concerns are becoming increasingly important to them; however, their diets are still far from meeting recommended nutritional or environmental footprint standards. We will discuss the array of public policies, both at the European and French levels, that are being implemented to encourage consumers to make more sustainable choices (healthier and less environmentally impactful), as well as the growing number of local initiatives in France that also seek to influence dietary habits. These initiatives are based on a decentralized and participatory vision rooted in local realities.

A territorial food system (TFS) refers to an area (typically a neighborhood, municipality, or region) where all stakeholders involved in the food and agricultural sectors come together to collaborate in a coordinated manner on the issues within their food system. A TFS aims to enhance the well-being of populations, the economic vitality of an area, and contribute to the preservation of ecosystems. In the Mauricie region, our research team is partnering with local stakeholders to achieve this goal. This presentation will provide an overview of the trends and challenges observed in our work.

According to the FAO, sustainable food is that of a world in which nutritious food is available and accessible to all populations. Even though Quebec is considered wealthy, food insecurity affects more than one in five people at various levels, including children and vulnerable individuals. To address this public issue, several ministries support community and private organizations working to reduce food insecurity. This presentation will discuss the coherence between these government interventions, the need to coordinate social, public health, and bio-food development policies to ensure that food is available and accessible to all Quebecers. The content of the conference will draw from the recent work of a team of researchers from Université Laval.

Promoting healthy eating is a collective concern embraced by diverse governmental and civil stakeholders across various tiers of governance. The consensus among most parties is that Quebec residents should increase their intake of fruits and vegetables. For this to happen effectively, these essential foods need to be readily available within the region, accessible, and affordable for the entire population. How do different entities work to enhance the access and availability of such products in Montreal? This question will be explored through the lenses of coherence and food security.

What role do universities play in enhancing food security within their communities? This presentation will offer a concise overview of the issue, including its historical context and the diverse stakeholders involved on select Canadian campuses. It will showcase various intervention examples and analyze inspiring initiatives from recent years.

The panel abstract will be available soon.