Sustainable consumption

Although people are more and more interested in sustainable food, sustainable consuming is not really an issue amongst youngsters and young adults. They do not seem to be very interested in sustainable food and the origin of their food. A study of Wageningen University 'How young people think about food', shows that they sometimes even consider biological food to be ‘vile’ or ‘not cool’. Furthermore, young people do not make the connection between the food they eat here and social and ecological developments elsewhere in the world. This is not strange. We really do not want to think too much about the origin of our food, because it confronts us with moral dilemmas.

The project ‘Sustainable consuming: that too can be learned’  aims at removing the ‘blind spot’ in the attitude of young people (specifically students) regarding food. It makes them aware of how they can fulfil their role as global citizens and consumers. Through the project students learn about the social and ecological problems that occur in the production of three product groups (herbs & spices, cocoa and fruit), and above all how they can influence these problems themselves. It’s all about choices and their consequences.

To promote this objective a number of parties entered into an innovative cooperation; social organizations (Felix Meritis and Hivos), companies (Tony’s Chocolonely, Verstegen, Kruidenier Foodservices, Diversion and CREM) and educational institutes are involved. The project starts in September with a day of lectures for 300 students in Felix Meritis, Amsterdam.

• Contact: Giulietta Cohen >>

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