The transition to a different food system is already in full swing within society. This was evident at the well-attended Public Food symposium. Together with the Province of South Holland, the event Towards a National Basic Provision for Affordable Good Food was organized. This marked the start of a design-oriented action research project.

At Mensa Mensa (opens in new window) in Rotterdam, people cook and eat together affordably, healthily, and socially. The organization Public Food (opens in new window) is the driving force behind this neighborhood initiative and is also working on a larger scale to change the food system. During the symposium, over two hundred civil servants, researchers, social entrepreneurs, and farmers discussed an idea that is as simple as it is radical: just like libraries, museums, sports, and public transport, the government should support a healthy food system.

“While we do see access to sports as a public task, we leave affordable and healthy food to a commercial market,” says Floris Visser, initiator of Public Food. “That is not fair and requires a change in thinking.” He sees the solution in a partly public food system that enables access to affordable, healthy food for everyone, with attention to public health, social equality, and sustainable food production.

Design-Oriented Action Research

Public Food is now starting a design-oriented action research project together with the province to further develop this idea. Deputy Mariëtte van Leeuwen explains why she finds this so important: “Good and healthy food should not be a luxury but must be accessible to everyone. That is why we focus on food education and initiatives that make the healthy choice the easy choice. From neighborhood to plate.”

The provincial commitment from the Health & Welfare task has been further strengthened by the States. As a result, initiatives can make use of no less than three new subsidies (opens in new window) from March;

  • Affordable Healthy Food 2026 (€475,000)
  • Food Education 2026 (€275,000)
  • Social Handprint Impulse affordable and healthy food in South Holland (€75,000).

National Food Council

On April 10, the second National Food Council meeting will take place at the provincial house. There, beautiful practical examples will be highlighted and social organizations, food initiatives, research, and governments will explore how this energy can influence policy. The first insights from the action research will also be shared.
Read more about the symposium and the action research (opens in new window).