fed communities and families. In more recent years,
the fluctuations and increases in oil and commodi-
ties prices have increased food insecurity and in-
equalities, with a progressive lack of access to land
or to agricultural resources. Meanwhile, the actual
intensive production system is also increasing alien-
ation of peoples from nature and the historical, cul-
tural and natural connection of farmers. Finally, it is
to consider that, over the next decades, the world’s
population is expected to grow from 6.8 billion in
2008 (medium estimates) to 8.3 billion by 2030, and
to 9.2 billion by 2050 (UNEP, 2009). The question is
how to feed a growing population in a world having
less soil, less water and energy. The answer can only
be found in a sustainable model of production and
distribution and in an appropriate public policy that
makes it possible. This includes prioritizing the pro-
curement of public goods in public spending; invest-
ing in knowledge providing adequate support to
research and innovation; fostering forms of social
organization that encourage partnerships, including
farmer field schools and farmers’ movements inno-
vation networks; sustaining empowering women and
creating a macro-economic enabling to connect sus-
tainable farms to fair markets (UN, 2010). All the
above considerations call for a radical change on
how food is daily produced, thought and managed
(Worldwatch Institute, 2011). New dietary behaviours
are to be developed, proposed and disseminated
(Nestlè, 2006; Pollan, 2010) in order to actively com-
bat both hunger and the growing phenomenon of
obesity. At the same time, it is to strongly emphasize
the indissoluble linkage between ecosystems pro-
tection and fairness issues in the world. Environ-
mental justice necessarily requires social equity and
respect to the human rights among all the social
groups and societies, from present and future gen-
erations. The most political act we do on a daily basis
is choosing what to eat.- Towards sustainable food systems
The whole food chain has to be considered for mov-
ing to a real sustainable food system, starting from
primary producer for arriving to the final consumer,
assuring any health precaution in each step. The in-
timate connection among food, health and sustain-
able development has been well formulated by the
American Public Health Association in a major pol-
icy statement (American Public Health Aassocia-
tion, 2007). Similarly, the American Dietetic
Association, in its position statement, encourages
environmentally responsible practices for support-
ing ecological sustainability of the food system
(American Dietetic Association, 2007). A “sustain-
able food system” is “one that provides healthy food
to meet current food needs while maintaining
healthy ecosystems that can also provide food for
generations to come with minimal negative impact
to the environment. A sustainable food system also
encourages local production and distribution infra-
structures and makes nutritious food available, ac-
cessible, and affordable to all. Further, it is humane
and just, protecting farmers and other workers, con-
sumers, and communities” (American Public Health
Association, 2007).
In this regard, it has to be remarked the convergence
of the "food security" concept with that of "sustain-
able food system", proposed by the Sustainable De-
velopment Commission (SDC) of the United Kingdom
Government that suggested a new definition of food
security in terms of “genuinely sustainable food sys-
tems where the core goal is to feed everyone sus-
tainably, equitably and healthily; which addresses
needs for availability, affordability and accessibility;
which is diverse, ecologically-sound and resilient;
which builds the capabilities and skills necessary for
future generations” (Sustainable Development Com-
mission, 2009). Within the framework of a sustain-
able food system, sustainable diets assume a central
role. According to FAO, sustainable diets are defined
as “those diets with low environmental impacts
which contribute to food and nutrition security and to
healthy life for present and future generations.
Sustainable diets are protective and respectful of264