Can sustainable food policies build stronger, healthier communities?

Sustainable food policies influence more than what’s on our plates. Strengthening local food production and promoting healthy diets can improve public health, support local economies, and increase resilience in times of uncertainty.

Reviving local food systems in the Faroe Islands

Hogni Hoydal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Faroe Islands, discusses the importance of sustainability and self-sufficiency in food production in a recent interview for a project on Nordic food environments and behaviour change for better diets.

“Well, basically it’s about being more sustainable and self-producing our own food, which we did 50 years ago,” Hoydal explains. “You catch your own fish, your own birds, you have your own sheep and some vegetables,” he continues.

However, over time, the Faroe Islands, like much of Europe, have shifted towards a more consumer-driven society. “Now we import most of our food, especially vegetables,” Hoydal adds.

The new agricultural policy of the Faroe Islands seeks to strengthen self-sufficiency. A shift towards a more sustainable, locally focused food system is part of a broader regional effort to ensure food security while addressing environmental challenges.

The Faroese government encourages for instance schools and hospitals to make use of local products to integrate local agriculture into public food systems. Such initiatives benefit public health and help to create a better market for local farmers, stimulating the regional economy.

The Faroese efforts to revitalise local food systems, reduce reliance on imports, and promote healthy eating habits contribute to strengthening food security, long-term health and community resilience. They are also an example of a broader trend in the Nordic Region, where policies are being developed to address both climate risks and socio-political challenges.

Working towards healthy and sustainable food systems in the Nordic Arctic

The interview is part of a broader exploration of the Greenlandic and Faroese food systems and dietary patterns. A new policy brief Towards Healthy and Sustainable Diets in Greenland and the Faroe Islands outlines a set of recommendations to promote healthy and sustainable food consumption practices have been developed based on research, surveys and interviews.

Once largely self-sufficient, both Greenland and the Faroe Islands have seen a shift towards imported, processed foods. This shift has led to rising health concerns, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Following a growing focus on food security and food sovereignty in these Nordic Arctic regions, both are now prioritising local food production.

The policy brief highlights how strategic regional policies, such as promoting vegetable production and supporting local farmers, can play a key role in addressing food insecurity and improving public health. It also advocates for integrating sustainability and cultural preservation into food system policies to strengthen long-term resilience.

Robust food systems as a part of long-term resilience

Taking a different perspective to the issue, another project by Nordregio, Robust Regional Preparedness, draws attention to the intersections of food systems, crisis preparedness, and regional development. In addition to contributing to health and well-being of people and communities, strong and resilient food systems are a key part of the overall societal preparedness in the face of crises or disruptions, whether these arise from natural disasters, economic shocks, or other emergencies.

A policy brief on Robust civil preparedness in the Nordic Region looks at the role of regional policy in strengthening civil preparedness at the local level. It explores how regional policies can enhance access to critical resources like food and energy, improve emergency services, and ensure the continuity of essential public services. Key recommendations include fostering cooperation across regions, strengthening local production systems, and ensuring communities are adaptable to changing circumstances.

As societies navigate climate challenges and geopolitical shifts, securing access to healthy, locally produced food is a key part of the puzzle. Building strong and resilient food systems contributes to sustainable food production, better diets, and local supply chains. As such, they can enhance both public well-being and long-term resilience.