Abstract

Background and context:

Food literacy, the collection of interrelated knowledge, skills and behaviours required to plan, manage, select, prepare and eat food assists people to navigate their food environments and food systems, however, to move ahead and support increased food literacy and food education there is a need to seek international youth input on a universal definition of this concept.

Short description:

This event will bring together the viewpoint of young people around the world on the knowledge, skills and behaviours they use every day to navigate their food supply for healthy, fair and sustainable eating. These perspectives will be pulled together by world leaders in food literacy. Participants will virtually vote to reach global consensus on a definition of food literacy for use in describing, measuring and reporting on the capacity of individuals, households, communities or nations to make healthy, fair and sustainable daily food choices within complex global food systems. This information will optimise research, policy, practice and investment in the area of food literacy and food education. This definition will also help inform practice that is evidence-based, provides transferrable skills, boosts knowledge, skills and confidence, is equitable and accessible to support a healthy food environment.

Session objective and key messages:

A lack of clarity around the definition, conceptualisation and operationalisation of food literacy has resulted in inconsistencies in its measurement. Food literacy is key to underpinning food education programs, and without appropriate measurement monitoring and surveillance, policy, interpretation, and application in practice is limited. A consistent definition is needed to advance the field. International definition, conceptualisation and measurement of food literacy is needed to comprehensively deliver and evaluate food education on an international scale. Youth groups, influencers, academic institutions, not-for-profit, companies, governments, media and the public are integral in developing a definition of food literacy. Participants will virtually vote to reach global consensus on a definition of food literacy for use in describing, measuring and reporting on the capacity of individuals, households, communities or nations to make healthy, fair and sustainable daily food choices within complex global food systems.

Thompson, C., Holmes, M., Horsey, B., Vidgen, H.A. (2023, October 16-20). Reaching consensus on an international definition of food literacy. In Food and Agriculture Organization World Food Forum.