Engaging Consumers in Sustainable Food Systems

This session brought together the Sustainable Food Systems and Consumer Information Programmes of the One Planet network to examine the global challenge of sustainable food consumption and production set against the backdrop of low consumer awareness of sustainable food options and the lack of international guidance on how to efficiently convey credible sustainability product information to consumers. The importance of providing reliable information has been internationally recognized by Agenda 2030 through target 12.8. The session was an interactive workshop providing insights on these two inter-related challenges. The workshop aimed to identify and discuss the main challenges that need to be addressed in order for organizations to excel when communicating about food products’ sustainability based on the UN Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability Information. The workshop showcased examples of consumer engagement for education in the food sector in both South East Asia and local examples in Costa Rica. The activity of this initiative was a one hour side event at the 2nd Sustainable Food Systems Porgramme conference in Costa Rica. The session is an education and awareness raising event designed to increase knowledge on the importance of communication for consumers making sustainable food choices. The event will raise awareness of the Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability and the five fundamental principles; WWF 2018 survey amongst young adults and the global implications of the food system; WWF projects in SE Asia around food communication; the Mi Codigo Verde platform in Chile and its utility as a tool for empowering consumers. Read about the conference outcomes: http://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/sites/default/files/sfs_conference_call_to_action_v7feb2019.pdf