Presentation
This Policy Paper provides a reflection on the role and potential of demand-side food policies to address food system challenges in Europe. Through an analysis of the literature and the contributions from 11 partner institutions, it provides an overview of relevant policies and success factors to develop a more effective food policy. This is illustrated by empirical examples taken from country case studies across Europe (the full case study report can be found here). Food environments, answers to commonly perceived barriers to demand-side food policy, the role of national food strategy and the role of the European Union are discussed.
Read the associated report with the full 11 case studies (Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands – plus Switzerland and the United Kingdom).
Key Findings
- Changing food consumption patterns has significant potential to help solve pressing challenges related to the food system. These include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving public health as well as strengthening food security and strategic autonomy. To realise this potential, demand-side food policies – designed to support changes in consumer behaviour – are an essential tool.
- Demand-side policies can help create fair food environments by improving food-related competences and the availability, affordability, and appeal of healthy, sustainable options. This moves the focus from individual responsibility towards shaping the conditions in which choices are made. It marks a paradigm shift from current policy approaches that mostly focus on consumer education and information – but have limited impact without parallel changes to the broader food environment.
- Promising examples of demand-side policies are emerging across Europe, offering inspiration for EU Member States. These initiatives address the different aspects of food environments to make healthy and sustainable options the easy choice. Important policy instruments include public food procurement and product reformulation, labelling and information, marketing and advertising rules and fiscal measures such as taxes and other incentives.
- National food strategies and supportive EU-level frameworks can help governments to advance effective demand-side food policies. Interventions addressing food consumption are often seen as complex and politically sensitive. In this context, an EU platform could facilitate the sharing of best practices and success factors among Member States. At the same time, the development of national food strategies offers a space for negotiation on a shared vision and measures.
