Plant-Based Foods Canada encourages govt. action ahead of UN food summit

Ahead of the UN Food Systems Summit in New York on September 23, Plant-Based Foods Canada (PBFC) and the International Plant Based Foods Working Group are calling for action.

The Group is asking for local governments around the world to recognize plant-based benefits and integrate it into their plan to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

“Now is the time to show the international community why encouraging plant-based diets is an essential component to achieving our collective goals set out by the UN. By working together, our aim is to find common ground to help convey how plant-based diets can address larger social issues like health, social justice and the environment,” said Leslie Ewing, executive director of PBFC.

In order to achieve the UN SDGs, International Plant Based Foods Working Group has created eight recommendations in their food system strategies such as:
1) Integrating plant-based foods into public procurement (e.g. plant-based options available in schools, hospitals etc.) as well as in national dietary guidelines;
2) Educating citizens about plant-based foods via public campaigns;
3) Ensuring labelling requirements for plant-based foods products empower consumers to make more sustainable food choices;
4) Using economic incentives to facilitate access to plant-based products;
5) Developing food environments where plant-based foods are presented as the sustainable choice (e.g. in retail stores);
6) Supporting farmers in moving toward more sustainable agricultural practices and crops (e.g. plant protein crops) by providing and/or redirecting financial incentives;
7) Allocating funds for targeted research and innovation on plant-based foods, and to explore and support diversified climate-friendly crops both on land and under the sea; and
8) Create and support policies to limit the quantity of arable land used for animal feed and animal production, instead utilizing the land for re-wilding and crops for direct human consumption.