The EU project SWITCH, focused on creating healthier and more sustainable eating habits in the Västra Götaland region in Sweden has been granted continued funding from Formas. The project, in which Chalmers University of Technology and RISE are partners, is now aiming to carry out innovative initiatives that generate measurable societal benefits.
Over the past three years, the EU project SWITCH has translated research into practice to drive positive change and promote healthier and sustainable diets in the Västra Götaland region. With support from the regional government, the project has implemented targeted initiatives across the region.
The project’s focus has been increasing the consumption of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and sustainable seafood in schools, homes, and public kitchens. The approach is mission-based, meaning that multiple sectors, scientific disciplines, and social actors are mobilized and engaged to work toward common goals.
Will create measurable societal value
The newly approved grant from Formas, within the call “Formas Effekt – from Research to Impact”, facilitates the next step for the project.
Now the actors in the project will use the experiences and working methods developed so far to implement innovative actions that further advance progress and create clear, measurable societal value. For example, the “Fullkornslyftet” initiative, which targets schoolchildren (more examples below).
"Good for both the planet and people’s health"
“It’s fantastic that we have received funding from Formas to scale up the implementation of what has been developed in the SWITCH project. This is proof that what we have done in the project works. And now we can take it further, we want to see increased consumption of foods that are good for both the planet and people’s health on a large scale. It will make an impact,” says project leader Rikard Landberg, Professor of Food and Nutrittion Science at the Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers.
Examples of initiatives in SWITCH 2.0
- Fullkornslyftet: Encourage 10,000 students in the Västra Götaland region to eat more whole grains and identify barriers and enablers for further dissemination.
- Develop a whole grain label and criteria for marking whole-grain products in stores.
- Create healthier food environments in sports settings through targeted behavioral interventions.
- Develop a language for menues that facilitates sustainable and healthy food choices of the future.
- Strengthen the competence of health guides in Gothenburg to support better eating habits among groups who need it most.
More about the project:
- Read more about Switch Food Hub
- Read more about the EU-project
Contact
- Full Professor, Food and Nutrition Science, Life Sciences