LIFE Project: Supporting the transition to a sustainable, healthy, and climate-neutral diet in Spain based on traditional recipes and organic and local ingredients
- Type Project
- Status Filled
- Execution 2021 -2023
- Assigned Budget 433,202 €
- Scope Europeo
- Main source of financing LIFE
- Project website Web del proyecto
The purpose of the LIFE Healthy Planet Diet project was to support the Farm to Fork strategy in its proposal to "Promote the consumption of sustainable food and facilitate the transition to healthy and sustainable diets, also contributing to the objective of at least 25% of EU agricultural land being dedicated to organic farming by 2030 through the promotion of organic food." The project was aimed at a population group aged 30 to 45, most of whom were responsible for feeding a family.
Food is responsible for approximately 30% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In Spain, awareness is growing about the need for dietary change that includes more vegetables or plant-based proteins, but most of Spanish society remains anchored in the "5+ a day" approach, still far from the goals of a more climate-sustainable diet. According to IPES-Food (International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems), diets are changing worldwide, raising several concerns: the globalization of diets, the loss of cultural and agricultural diversity, and the excessive consumption of ultra-processed products rich in fat and sugar, with their associated health risks. Traditional diets, food cultures, and food preparation skills are being eroded.
In Spain, the majority of emissions from food production are associated with animal-based foods (81% of the total), which represents 1.6 tons of CO2 per capita per year. Proposals for more sustainable diets are growing, but they are often very different from what the population traditionally consumes.
- Increase the number of people who understand why changing their diet is not only good for their health, but also for the health of the planet and a very powerful tool to curb climate change, reaching at least 50,000 people and their families directly and 150,000 people and their families indirectly through social media and the media.
- Provide information and tools so that people interested in starting a dietary transition can do so easily and without drastic changes to their traditional diet.
- Increase consumption of organic, local, and seasonal foods produced from local varieties and breeds under quality schemes.
- Provide educational tools to schools on healthy and climate-friendly eating.
- Significant progress has been made in promoting healthier and more sustainable eating habits.
- Practical tools and information to facilitate dietary transitions without drastic changes. This included a cookbook with traditional recipes, weekly menus, videos, and podcasts.
- Increased consumption of organic foods
- Educational tools for schools to promote healthy and climate-friendly food options.
Coordinator/entity name: Montse Escutia
The "LIFE Healthy Planet Diet" project demonstrated high effectiveness in achieving its objectives, as evidenced by the comprehensive implementation of planned activities and the positive response from participants.
The project highlighted the importance of direct participation through cooking demonstrations and interactive sessions, which had the greatest impact on participants. A key lesson learned was the need for clear and accurate information to facilitate dietary changes, addressing the overwhelming and often confusing information available online.
The grantee also noted the potential benefit of developing an app to help people find local sources of organic and seasonal food. Project highlights included widely viewed educational videos, highly interactive cooking demonstrations, and a motivational school award for sustainable recipes, all of which contributed significantly to the project's success.
- Asociación Vida Sana
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