Food Sustainability Awareness and Information Program

In 2017, the Portuguese Association of Nutrition released an Awareness and Information Program on Food Sustainability, directed at the general population. The initiative was structured around the five pillars established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and aligned with specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda. The overarching objective was to sensitize both health professionals and the general public to the importance of incorporating the concept of food sustainability into daily choices.

Within this framework, a wide range of activities was developed, including the publication of an e-book entitled “Feeding the Future – A Reflection on Food Sustainability”, a children’s e-book featuring educational games, and consumer-oriented resources such as the “APN Guide | Conscious Eating: Strategies for Consumers to Rethink, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle in Daily Food Practices” and the “APN Guide | Towards a More Sustainable Christmas”. Additional materials were produced, including bookmarks and infographics. The initiative also encompassed the organization of an annual congress entirely dedicated to food sustainability, a series of lectures and debates hosted at ministries and universities, as well as a cycle of conferences held nationwide.

In 2019, acknowledging both the relevance of the subject matter and the need to actively involve younger generations, the Portuguese Association of Nutrition expanded the program to the school setting. This extension targeted students aged 15 to 18, corresponding to upper secondary education (grades 10 to 12). This age group is distinguished by greater autonomy in food choices and enhanced critical thinking skills, making it particularly suitable for reflecting upon the significance of food sustainability and healthy eating in daily life.

Through this school-adapted program, specifically designed for secondary and equivalent vocational education, the Portuguese Association of Nutrition seeks to foster critical reflection and awareness on food sustainability among adolescents. By strengthening food literacy, the program also aims to promote improved dietary choices. Furthermore, it aspires to disseminate knowledge on sustainability and healthy lifestyles more broadly, leveraging the role of students as multipliers of these messages.

For the effective implementation of the program, a Teacher’s Guide was developed, incorporating a glossary of concepts related to food sustainability and a set of 30 proposed classroom activities. These activities were carefully designed to align with the curricula of diverse subjects, ensuring their seamless integration into the teaching process. Moreover, an online activity management platform was created, embedded in a dedicated program website, to support teachers in planning and delivering activities, while also providing access to complementary and exclusive materials.

To date, the program has successfully reached approximately 8,000 students across the country.