What is the Nordic Food Policy Lab Solutions Menu meant to achieve?

1.Demonstrate how the Nordic governments have used policy in response to scientific evidence and/or consumer demands to implement more sustainable and healthy food systems

2.Highlight the momentum that has been created around food policy for sustainable and healthy development in the Nordic countries

3.Share Nordic food policy solutions as an inspiration for national and local governments developing, changing and/or implementing policy related to healthy and sustainable food production and consumption

4.Ignite new conversations, actions and partnerships that create policy-based solutions to sustainable and healthy food systems

Read more: 24 Nordic policy solutions to change food consumption

An insider's perspective on Nordic food policy: Six secret ingredients

The highly successful food policies in the Nordic Region are built on shared values. These are not unique to the Nordics, but they have a very strong anchoring among the different food systems actors in the region - which has enabled the creation of common goals and close collaboration.

The policy solutions contained in this Solutions Menu have been possible and highly successful because they are:: Evidence-based, democratic, progressive, open, holistic and sustainable. You will find out why they matter by reading the 24 solutions found in this Solutions Menu.

We highlight these - not to create a sense of Nordic exceptionalism - but rather to emphasise that there are important underlying factors and structures influencing the overall success of these policies. Read about them on page 9 in the Solutions Menu.

Read more norden.org/solutionsmenu

Setting the table - the key to successful food policy

The 24 food policy examples in the Solutions Menu emphasise the importance of dialogue, partnership and inclusion.

The inclusion of a wide spectrum of stakeholders is an essential part of developing long-lasting and impactful food policies. Bringing everyone to the table can be challenging given the need to balance and address different perspectives. But as the Solutions Menu shows, dialogue and partnerships can help secure wide-scale buy-in and more robust policies.

Read more norden.org/solutionsmenu

Who might benefit from the Solutions Menu?

Food is tightly intertwined with complex issues like environmental degradation, climate change, cultural identity, animal welfare and not least health. For integrated solutions we need collaboration between a number of sectors and disciplines. We have written the Solutions Menu with this in mind, but we envision that it will be of particular relevance for:

• Governments and ministries seeking inspiration, and behind-the-scenes advice, on how to design and execute innovative food-related policies
• International agencies looking for examples of the successful implementation of sustainable food policies that address the UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Researchers from, for example, food- and policy-related disciplines
• Civil society organisations, NGOs, grassroots organisations and special interest groups looking for new ways to shape societal change through food
• Consumers and activists in search of bottom-up policies showcasing the inclusion of a range of stakeholder groups

 Launching at Stockholm Food Forum - EAT

The Launch of the Solutions Menu coincides with the EAT Stockholm Food Forum 2018, and Nordic Food Policy Lab will present the main takeaways from the Solution Menu at an EAT forum side-event 11 June from 13:30 to 14:30. We invite participants to a dialogue about what works when it comes to policy for shifting diets. On Day 2, the Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers - Dagfinn Høybråten will present on the main stage on "Maximizing the Potential of Policy and Partnerships". And a heads up - be sure to look out for a reflection piece by Dagfinn from the event at eatforum.org on the 14th June.

Read more:

EAT Stockholm Food Forum 2018

Join the conversation

Help us curate this space by providing thoughts, feedback and ideas. Where do you see the frontiers of food and food policy extending?

• Send us your suggestions on who and what we should feature to: marper@norden.org
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  Best wishes from the Nordic Food Policy Lab team in Copenhagen!