Communication of food and sustainability in relation to food communication research

The necessity of social understanding regarding the future of the food system has gained increasing societal and scientific attention in recent years. Using the concept of sustainability as a framework for discussion can help us reflect on the phenomenon of food in depth and to discuss how we will shape our food system and nourish ourselves in the future. The aim of the newly developing social science- based research field of food communication is to analyse the discourse of food within society and to rethink the way in which food communication in the professions and research is conceived and realized. This is in order to produce insights that will help society handle the complexity of the issues through self-reflection and to highlight possibilities for applicable communication approaches.

Food communication

Food communication is usually considered as dietary advice and other targeted communication by consumer protection bodies or health organizations. It is often underestimated that there are many powerful channels of food communication within society, such as print media, social web or corporations dealing with food related questions which can inform the behaviour of individuals, and even the behaviour of institutions.

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