How can we concretely improve the policies on food production and consumption? How to best inform consumers and make them the drivers of a long-lasting change?
An Interactive Experience in the Escape Room
One of the highlights of the Beautifood project at Terra Madre 2024 is the Escape Room experience. This isn’t just a game, but a creative space where attendees from all walks of life could brainstorm concrete ideas to tackle some of Europe’s most pressing food challenges. Participants try to solve puzzles focusing on some key arguments like the shortening of the supply food chain, the reduction in consumption of animal proteins, or cutting down on food waste. The puzzles are not easy, so you are in for a lot of fun!
At the end of each session of the game, a questionnaire collects participants’ opinions, measuring the level of knowledge or importance given to some interventions rather than others in local and national food policies and the results are meant to be shared with local institutions for a debate.
A Lively Debate on the Future of Food in Europe
This is what happened at today’s conference at Terra Madre 2024: the question “What Europe do you want?” was explored following the results from the Escape Room and the data presented and debated in a conference, which was moderated by Madeleine Coste, Eurocities’ Food Policy Manager.
The panel featured influential speakers from all across Europe, each with a wealth of expertise in food systems, sustainability, and urban development.
“The key to implement a change in food policies at the city level lies in procurement– said Bettina Bergman Madsen a UN Food System Champion – In Denmark we tried to create a network to facilitate sustainable choices in purchasing food for canteens and hospitals. We created a big awareness campaign and guidelines to explain our choice and almost 80% in some cities choose a sustainable and healthy diet when selecting food providers”.
The panel discussion also included interventions on the city of Turin by councilor Chiara Foglietta, who highlighted how cities like Turin are on the front lines of creating eco-friendly policies that make their urban environments more livable and sustainable, or Nadia Tonoli from the City of Bergamo, who shared her insights specifically on school canteens, emphasizing the importance of grassroots involvement in achieving EU-wide goals. Finally, Kate Smith, Director of Eat Make Play B16, reflected on her extensive experience in circular economies and food education in cities around the world, such as Sydney, London, and Hong Kong.
The lively discussion touched on practical solutions that cities across Europe could adopt, from setting up community-based food initiatives to implementing policies that ensure healthier and more affordable food options are available to all citizens.
Proposals for a Brighter Food Future
The debate underscored that change must be driven from both the top down and the bottom up. Municipalities, local organizations, and individuals all have a crucial role to play in transforming Europe’s food system. As the Beautifood project collects and channels these creative solutions to EU decision-makers, the hope is that these ideas will translate into concrete policies that benefit everyone.
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Publish date : 2024-09-29 09:29:00
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