Transforming Food Systems: Connecting Research, Policy, and Practice

This case study from Foodomics and Society Module 2: Transforming Food Systems, explores how scientists, public health leaders, and policymakers are implementing a collaborative, systems-based approach to translate research into policies and programs to improve diet quality and promote sustainable food systems in Ethiopia. The development of Ethiopia’s Food Based Dietary Guidelines demonstrates the benefits and challenges of engaging diverse stakeholders and sectors from education to industry. Utilizing scientific evidence as foundation, the guidelines developed inform policies and programs designed to ensure equitable access to a healthy diet that also benefits the environment. Ultimately, this case study shows how Ethiopia’s food based dietary guidelines, and the people and process involved their development, offer inspiration for advancing sustainable food systems transformation in Africa and across the globe.