Overview of the Farm to Fork Strategy (F2F)
The Farm to Fork Strategy, announced on May 20, 2020, by the European Union (EU), is one of the core components of the European Green Deal, aiming to comprehensively address the challenges related to sustainable food systems. It is also a crucial part of the European Commission's agenda to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Farm to Fork Strategy is a new approach to valuing the sustainability of food. It is an opportunity to improve lifestyles, health, and the environment. Creating a favorable food environment that facilitates the choice of healthy and sustainable diets will benefit consumers’ health and quality of life while reducing health-related costs for society. People are increasingly attentive to environmental, health, social, and ethical issues and seek value in food more than ever. Even as societies become more urbanized, they want to feel closer to their food, desiring fresh, less processed, and sustainably produced food. The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded everyone of the importance of having a food system that can function effectively in all circumstances, is resilient, and ensures a sufficient supply of affordable food for citizens. Consumers need to be empowered to choose sustainable food, and this can be considered both a responsibility and an opportunity for all actors in the food chain.
This strategy also creates opportunities to increase income for all actors in the food chain. Ensuring sustainable livelihoods for primary producers, such as farmers, fishers, and food suppliers, who still lag behind in income, is essential for the success of this recovery and transition.
Source: Center for WTO and International Trade - VCCI