Policy

Overview

Food systems are not just shaped by markets – they are actively designed by policy. Subsidies, procurement rules, tax structures, labor laws, and trade agreements determine what gets produced, who benefits, and who bears the costs. Today, these incentives overwhelmingly favor the most resource-intensive foods, entrench powerful corporate interests, and leave governments struggling to meet health, climate, and equity goals.

Transforming food systems requires transforming policy. Evidence shows that repurposing subsidies, targeting procurement toward healthier foods, and bundling coherent policy packages can dramatically reduce hidden costs while improving access and resilience. Just as importantly, policy must address the political economy: managing vested interests, coordinating across ministries, and ensuring that farmers and workers are supported through a fair transition.

What you’ll find here

• Agricultural Supports & Subsidies: How financial incentives drive production choices.
• Procurement & Standards: Public sector leverage in schools, hospitals, and cities.
• Taxation & Regulation: Fiscal and legal tools to shift consumption and production.
• Labor & Just Transition: Policies to support workers and communities through change.
• Political Economy: The role of lobbying, governance, and vested interests in shaping outcomes.
• Global & National Strategies: Models and case studies of coherent transformation pathways.