Transforming food for the wellbeing of people and planet

15-17 May 2023. The Beyond Growth 2023 Conference is a multi-stakeholder event aiming to discuss and co-create policies for sustainable prosperity in Europe, based on a systemic and transformative approach to economic, social and environmental sustainability and its encompassing governance framework.

16 May 2023. Transforming food for the wellbeing of people and planet

A transformation of food systems is crucial to go "beyond growth" and foster social prosperity while respecting the planetary boundaries. Food systems should be re-designed in a holistic way to increase resilience and reduce impacts on GHG emissions, prevent natural resources and biodiversity loss, while ensuring fair economic returns for all actors across the chain and addressing food and nutrition insecurity affecting millions of people. This policy panel discussed:

• What are the gaps in the EU Farm to Fork Strategy that have to be addressed for the achievement of a Green and Social Deal and the full implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals;
• How should a long-term, comprehensive food policy for the wellbeing of people and planet look like;
• What policy transformations are needed to address the concentration of economic power in the food supply chain and ensure a fair distribution while remaining within the planetary boundaries, including what measures can help reduce excessive food price speculation;
• What lessons can be learnt from existing initiatives on the ground.

Speakers

• 
  Chair Bas Eickhout - MEP (Greens/EFA), Beyond Growth Conference organiser
  
• Timothy Lang (picture) - Emeritus Professor of Food Policy at City University London's Centre for Food Policy
• Peter Schmidt - President of the NAT Section, European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
• Marta Messa - Director, Slow Food Brussels office
• 
  Fairouz Gazdallah (picture)  - Policy Advisor Governance of Food Systems, Oxfam Belgium
  
• Jeroen Candel - Associate Professor on Food and Agricultural Policy, Wageningen University