Introduction

Food is more than just sustenance, it is dignity, culture, and connection. Yet, in a world of abundance, 815 million people go hungry, 80% live in rural areas, and 50%  are smallholder farmers. The systems designed to feed us have become fragile, marked by soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate induced crises that strip communities of their ability to thrive. Farmers, the backbone of our food supply, struggle with unstable incomes and inequitable access to resources, while the current food chains continue to widen the gap between producers and consumers.

Our Approach: Build inclusive local Food Networks to reduce hunger
In response to these challenges, we're changing the practice of feeding hungry people, moving toward systemic change. We're building inclusive local food networks to shorten the distance between farmers and consumers. Leaders in the food industry (www.socialgastronomy.org) orchestrate the relationships between the involved actors from public and private sector based on the principles of social gastronomy. In collaboration with FN (www.foodnetworks.ch) we use successful foodnetwork models.

We aim to create a world where nutritious food is accessible to all, where farmers are able to regenerate soil and communities are strengthened by agroecological practices. By weaving regional farmer collectives, catering businesses, and consumer communities into food networks we build resilient systems. 

These networks then link to school lunch programs, public procurement initiatives, and food canteens, ensuring dignified, sustainable access to nutritious meals for all. 

The food networks serve as learning context for vocational education and training for future farmers and mass catering chefs. 

As the prime connection between people and the planet, food and agriculture can help achieve multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Food industry, Catering businesses and Gastronomy can play a key role in orchestrating the change towards resilient and sustainable food systems. Properly nourished, children can learn, people can lead healthy and productive lives, and societies can prosper. By nurturing our land and adopting sustainable agriculture, present and future generations will be able to feed a growing population.