Food Education Research Articles

A school-based intervention to foster adherence to the Mediterranean diet in adolescents: the PROMEDLIFE project

Abstract The need to maintain the production of local foods characterized by a high nutritional index, update traditional food production methodologies by developing attractive tech-based approaches, promote healthy eating habits that meet consumers’ preferences and acceptability, as well as reducing the complexity of supply chains (Farm to Fork) must be addressed to ensure food and nutrition security. This is especially true in Mediterranean countries undergoing dietary and nutritional changes that affect their inhabitants’ health while creating many socio-economic and environmental challenges. PROMEDLIFE aims to increase adherence to the Mediterranean diet through a multi-actor approach by encouraging the adoption of a healthy eating lifestyle while decreasing the environmental and economic impact of food production and processing. It also aims to attain optimal food communication and education through training programs that target primary and secondary students as well as their families, from children to older adults. A 4-week nutritional and sensory educational intervention in high school students involves frontal lessons, a web-app for families enrolled, and games on nutrients, food groups, balanced meals and various eating occasions, healthy and sustainable diets. In addition, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, nutritional knowledge, sociodemographic and lifestyle data, picky eating, and food neophobia are investigated. Including nutritional lectures in the school curriculum of high schools promotes knowledge acquisition about healthy diet. However, a period longer than 4 weeks may be necessary to translate this knowledge into improved eating habits. The project is still ongoing, and follow-up data collection will be performed. Final analysis, including data on picky eating and food neophobia, as well as overall eating behavior at follow-up, will allow an evaluation of possible long-term changes.

Veggies4myHeart – educational project to promote vegetable knowledge and consumption in preschoolers

Abstract Vegetable consumption among children is below recommended. Given the critical role of vegetable consumption in health promotion, it is essential to identify effective strategies to promote this intake. The Veggies4myHeart project aims to increase vegetable knowledge and consumption in preschool children through nutrition education strategies (NES). Veggies4myHeart is a prospective longitudinal study with children aged 2 to 6 years who attend preschools in the Leiria district. A questionnaire was applied to the parents to characterize the sample. NES were used: children’s story, digital game, vegetable-themed sticker booklet and the food wheel. The intervention consisted of 5 food education sessions, each focusing on one selected vegetable (lettuce, carrot, red cabbage, cucumber, and tomato). Sessions to assess knowledge and consumption of vegetables were held pre-and post-intervention. Knowledge was evaluated through a taxonomic categorization questionnaire. Consumption was assessed by recording the number of portions of each vegetable consumed. Wilcoxon test was used to compare pre-and post-intervention vegetable knowledge and consumption. ANOVA test was used to compare NES. Between 2018 and 2024, 649 children (52,5% female, mean age 4,36 ± 0,942) from 17 preschools participated. After the intervention, there was a statistically significant increase in vegetable knowledge (p < 0,001) and a statistically significant increase in the consumption of vegetables (p < 0,001). There are statistically significant differences between NES, with the digital game having greater vegetable knowledge (p < 0,001) and consumption (p < 0,001) than the others. The Veggies4myHeart project effectively increased vegetable knowledge and consumption in preschoolers. It is essential to continue the intervention to promote consumption and familiarity with vegetables, as well as the involvement of parents and preschool teachers, due to their prominent role as models for acquiring healthy eating habits. Key messages • The NES used proved useful, contributing to increased knowledge and consumption of vegetables. • The Veggies4myHeart project is an asset for preschool-aged children to become familiar with vegetables.

School canteens healthier for children and the planet in the Valencian Region

Abstract Issue SchoolFood4Change (SF4C), an EU Horizon 2020 project in 12 EU countries, aims at making school meals healthier for children and the planet through innovative and sustainable food procurement, promotion of planetary health diets and cooking, and a Whole School Food Approach. In the Valencian Region two subsequent market dialogues (MDs) were organised to explore a new school food procurement and feeding model. Description In our context, most children have lunch at school daily. SF4C sees schools as catalysts for a systemic change. Two intersectoral MDs were conducted with the participation of public authorities, food procurers, cooks and schools. The first one MD1, 23 attendees, used a gamification dynamic through building blocks. MD2, 58 participants, used a World Cafe methodology to analyse nutritional, environmental, educational, social and economic determinants. Results MD1 highlighted the need to increase food education in the curricula, value regional products and cuisine, improve culinary training and reduce food waste. It suggested establishing percentages of local and organic products in tenders and improving communication between the public administration and the educational community. MD2 emphasised the objective of promoting the Mediterranean diet and sustainability in canteens. To that end, participants identified the importance of establishing requirements in public tenders, annual planning of procurement, optimising logistics and integrating the canteen into the educational project. This would enhance predictability, economic sustainability, and social support for a new innovative model. Lessons Structured interaction between stakeholders was essential to devise innovative and sustainable solutions. The creation and dynamization of intersectoral working groups is an effective public health strategy to build networks for the co-creation of viable alternatives to achieve a healthier and more environmentally sustainable school feeding. Key messages • Structured interaction in intersectoral working groups is an effective public health strategy for the co-creation of viable alternatives to make school feeding healthier for children and the planet. • Tailored innovative and sustainable solutions entail a framework for structured discussions, specific context analysis, negotiations between stakeholders and locally adaptation of good practices.

Evidence of anthropogenic subsidisation of red foxes in a national park important for breeding wading birds

AbstractThe red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a generalist mesopredator found throughout the UK. It has been linked to national declines in native wildlife, especially ground-nesting birds such as waders. In the New Forest National Park, nest predation and poor chick survival is primarily responsible for low breeding success of Eurasian curlew (Numenius arguata), a species of high conservation concern. To reduce predation losses, foxes are lethally controlled by wildlife managers. Here, we identified the major food resources that are being exploited by foxes in the New Forest area and examined temporal and spatial patterns in the presence of specific food categories, with special reference to anthropogenic food. Stomachs from foxes culled in curlew breeding areas were collected from April 2021 - July 2022 and the contents of these stomachs were quantified. Foxes exhibited a highly varied diet with no single food category predominating. Anthropogenic food comprised 14% of the overall diet, with its presence predicted by proximity to human settlements and other infrastructure. We also estimated the total annual volume of anthropogenic food consumed by the fox population and by extension how many individual foxes this volume of food could support in isolation. According to these calculations, at present the number of foxes subsidised by anthropogenic food is approximately 64.8% (50.2–79.7%) of those removed by culling per year. Our findings highlight that better local food sanitation and education should become important parts of a more holistic management approach to reduce the burden of fox predation experienced by breeding waders.

Physician’s perceived barriers to millet-based diet in clinical practice: A cross-sectional survey

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the perceived barriers faced by physicians in Maharashtra when recommending a millet-based diet for diabetic patients. The objectives were to identify the challenges physicians encounter in promoting millet consumption, assess their knowledge and beliefs about millet-based diets, and evaluate the current resources and practices used in dietary counseling for diabetes management. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 68 physicians specializing in diabetes care in Maharashtra. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling and met the inclusion criteria of having over 10 years of clinical practice and significant experience in diabetes management. Data collection was performed through a pre-tested survey tool distributed through email and Google Forms. The survey included questions on the effectiveness of millet-based diets, patient characteristics influencing dietary recommendations, barriers to providing millet-based food education, and current and desired resources for promoting such diets. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was secured from all participants. Results: The survey revealed that 70.59% of physicians considered a millet-based diet significantly effective for lowering blood sugar levels. However, several barriers were identified, including high comorbidities (82.35%) and low income (54.41%) among patients, which hindered dietary recommendations. In addition, physicians reported a lack of formal training in millet-based nutrition (73.53%), personal skepticism toward millet-based diets (63.23%), and insufficient patient educational resources (55.89%). Current resources used for dietary counseling were primarily verbal education (100%) and electronic resources (97.06%). Conclusion: Despite recognizing the potential benefits of millet-based diets, physicians face substantial barriers in recommending them to diabetic patients. These barriers include factors such as lack of training, time, and educational resources. To overcome these challenges, there is a need for enhanced educational programs for physicians, increased availability of patient-friendly educational materials, and access to trained dietitians. Implementing these measures could improve dietary management strategies and health outcomes for diabetic patients.

Sustainable livelihoods through cashew cultivation: insights from smallholder farmers in the southern region of India

Cashew cultivation has emerged as an important agricultural activity in promoting sustainable livelihoods for smallholder farmers. The present study investigates the impacts of cashew cultivation on sustainable livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the Southern region of India, addressing a significant research gap in the understanding of how this crop affects various aspects of farmers' lives. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study reveals that, cashew farming significantly increases farmers’ income, leading to improvements in food security, education, social status, and standard of living. These findings contribute to new insights into the socio-economic and environmental dimensions of cashew cultivation, offering a holistic understanding of its role in rural development. Additionally, the study also emphasizes the need for government policies supporting smallholders in cashew farming, including training, access to quality seeds, and best agricultural practices. Social welfare initiatives and cooperatives can improve the overall well-being of cashew farming communities. Research and development should prioritize climate-resistant cashew varieties to address environmental challenges linked to cashew cultivation. The study’s results also provide a foundation for future research and policy formulation aimed at enhancing the practice of cashew farming for sustainable livelihoods.

"It's Really About Those Social Determinants of Health that Drive It": Addressing Food Insecurity in Rural Veterans.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employs numerous strategies to address food insecurity among rural veterans. This manuscript discusses findings from a quality improvement project examining factors impacting food insecurity among rural veterans. Qualitative interviews were conducted with VA expert informants (n = 30) who worked in national program offices addressing veteran food insecurity, site visit participants (n = 57) at three VA Medical Centers (VAMCs), and rural veterans who screened positive for food insecurity at the VAMC sites (n = 10). Interviews were analyzed with analysis matrices. Current VA programming includes a national food insecurity screening initiative and connecting veterans with local community resources. Veteran participants provided suggestions for addressing veteran food insecurity, including outreach and education. In addition, these interviews demonstrate that rural veteran food insecurity is intrinsically interwoven with other social determinants of health. Addressing rural veteran food insecurity must include strategies for understanding and supporting interconnected veteran needs.

Micronutrient intake and status in young vegans, lacto-ovo-vegetarians, pescatarians, flexitarians, and omnivores.

Whether youth who follow plant-based diets in Nordic countries meet their dietary needs for micronutrients remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate micronutrient intake and status in Norwegian youth following vegan, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, pescatarian, flexitarian and omnivore diets. Cross-sectional design, with healthy 16-to-24-year-olds (n = 165). Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire and four 24-hour dietary recalls. Dried blood spots (DBS) and spot-urine samples were collected for analysis of methyl malonic acid (MMA) (n = 65), haemoglobin (Hb) (n = 164) and urinary iodine concentration (UIC) (n = 163). Vegans reported highest habitual supplement usage of multivitamin (58%), B12 (90%) and macroalgae consumption (32%), while flexitarians reported highest habitual usage of omega-3 supplements (56%). For daily supplement usage, vegans reported highest use of multivitamins (42%), B12 (79%), iodine (37%) and iron (63%). Increased risk of inadequate intake (energy-adjusted) were found for vitamin D (60% within lacto-ovo-vegetarians), selenium (70% within lacto-ovo-vegetarians, 65% within omnivores), and iodine (63% within vegans). Median MMA levels suggest low risk of insufficient B12 status across all groups (MMA 0.04‒0.37µmol/l) and 2% had MMA levels indicating possible B12 deficiency and 8% had elevated levels. Median Hb levels indicated low risk of anemia across all groups (≥ 12.0 females, ≥ 13.0g/dl males), though 7% had Hb values indicating risk of mild anemia and 4% risk of moderate anemia. The median UIC indicates mild iodine deficiency in all groups (UIC < 100µg/l), except vegans, who were moderately iodine deficient (UIC < 50µg/l). Our study indicated that the participating youth had low risk of inadequate intake of most micronutrients, partly due to high supplement usage. However, for iodine, vitamin D, and selenium higher risk of inadequate intake was found. UIC corroborated the low iodine intake among vegans. Thus, we suggest iodine status of youth in Norway should be monitored, especially among young fertile women who omits dietary iodine sources, until a mandatory iodine fortification program is implemented. Furthermore, we suggest that food education on how to secure sufficient nutrients from food in general should be provided to the Norwegian youth population, especially how to secure adequate intake of vitamin D, selenium and iodine.

Social Determinants of Health in Pharmacy Practice

This narrative review explores the role of pharmacy practice in addressing social determinants of health and its potential to mitigate major public health issues in Iraq. It focuses on the key concepts of social determinants of health, their impact on public health, and their implications for the community. The paper defines social determinants of health, examines the connection between these determinants and pharmacy practice, and highlights the role of pharmacists in addressing these determinants. Social determinants of health, such as agriculture and food production, employment, education, and housing, can significantly influence the health status of individuals and communities. By understanding these factors, healthcare practitioners can shift their focus toward prevention rather than solely relying on medication, particularly for those in low-income situations. This approach can reduce the overall need for medications. The review proposes a framework for integrating pharmacy practice into public health strategies, emphasizing how social determinants of health shape this integration. Additionally, it suggests that pharmacists can contribute to improving public health by fostering preventive care within the community.

Bringing local food education to workplaces: Assessing needs for a health and wellness program

Bringing local food education to workplaces: Assessing needs for a health and wellness program

Global school plate waste estimates highlight the need for building a sustainable food education system.

Food waste reduction is essential for supporting the sustainability of food systems. Wasteful behaviours are difficult to change after they have been formed, highlighting the importance of early interventions. Here we present an assessment of school plate food waste from 29 countries, and examine the environmental implications, causes, and interventions. School plate waste ranged from 4% to 46% per capita per meal and was positively correlated with country income levels. On a global scale, this waste embodies ∼150 Mha of cropland and ∼770 MtCO2e of greenhouse gas emissions; hence, reducing school plate food waste offers potentially large environmental gains. We propose a comprehensive, multistakeholder framework centred around sustainable food education that cultivates food systems knowledge and skills, and an appreciation for nature and food labour to reduce the psychological distance between youth and their food waste. To effectively implement the framework requires the support and engagement of families, communities and the broader society beyond the confines of schools.

Knowledge and practices of vegetable consumption in Accra and greater Lomé: nutritional, health and environmental sustainability

In Accra and Greater Lomé, research into the harmful effects of food transitions focuses scarcely on the levels of knowledge and good practices (LKGP) of vegetable consumers. However, these foods play a key role in the nutritional, health, socio-economic and ecological sustainability of cities. This research aims to assess the health, nutritional, ecological and socio-economic sustainability of LKGP linked to vegetable consumption in these conurbations. A quantified multi-criteria evaluation approach was adopted. The respondents (394), selected via judgmental sampling, were equally distributed between the two cities. Data were collected using a Food Frequency Questionnaire administered by Kobocollect. The overall average rate of good vegetable consumption knowledge and practices in Accra and Greater Lomé is low (37.43%). This result stems from the low LKGP for daily vegetable consumption (24.62%), their inclusion in the main daily meals (33.50%) and consideration of their nutritional composition (30.86%). The target population is unaware of the health, nutritional and ecological drawbacks of poorly preserved vegetables (66.93%) and adopts inappropriate waste management practices when handling them (65.91%). The average proportions of access to vegetable procurement technology (47.08%) and sustainable food education (11.29%) were also low. The research results, unfavorable to the achievement of the SDGs in Accra and Greater Lomé, call for an inclusive, integrated and continuous sustainable food education program.

KELANTING INNOVATION (GRAND MOTHER CLASS OF CARE STUNTING ) EDUCATION AND LOCAL FOOD DIVERSIFIED IN PREVENTING STUNTING SIDOBANDUNG, BALEN, BOJONEGORO REGENCY

Nutrition problems are still a concern for the Indonesian government to be resolved immediately, one of which is the problem of stunting. , Bojonegoro Regency's stunting prevalence rate is 23.9 percent, making Bojonegoro the district with the 13th highest stunting prevalence of 38 districts and cities in East Java. The prevalence of stunting which is still quite high can affect Indonesia's development performance because stunting has an impact on children's health status so that children become vulnerable to illness and has an impact on children's intelligence and quality of life, so handling it is still a government priority. The innovation of the KELANTING program (Stunting Caring Grandmother Class) is present by involving academics who act as references for solving problems based on research results (based on research) in the field of midwifery and nursing. So that it is able to increase the understanding of the community, especially grandmother caregivers, so that they are able to carry out care appropriately and get used to it. children to consume foods with balanced contents. The Klanting Program is carried out with Local Food Education and Diversification in Sidobandung Village, Balen District, Bojonegoro Regency" as a pilot project for community-based stunting prevention efforts. This activity is carried out by involving 25 grandmothers who care for toddlers by carrying out outreach and education. After the Klanting activity was carried out, there was an increase in the understanding and knowledge of grandmother caregivers regarding parenting styles and food diversification to prevent stunting, namely 72% of grandmother caregivers after the clanting activity had good knowledge, compared to previously only 28%. This shows that there is an increase in the percentage of understanding and knowledge of grandmothers who care for toddlers about parenting patterns of grandmothers and local food diversification in order to increase toddlers' interest in eating food diversity and the use of local food which can prevent stunting in toddlers.

Good Measures: Developing a Process for Authentic Assessment Creation in Food Education.

This paper presents the process taken by a nonprofit educational organization to create authentic evaluation tools for Food Education in K-12 schools. Development was a collaborative effort between organization staff and teachers during an Evaluation Summit. The program background, development of the Summit, and plans for post-Summit work continuation are described. The Summit included 14 teacher participants (3-4 per grade band in preK-1, 2-5, 6-8, 9-12). The process of tool development was captured via direct observations and analysis of artifacts (eg, participants' brainstorming chart paper, online development documents) to identify themes in successful approaches and challenges. Additional post-Summit activities were also captured via surveys and artifacts. Outcomes of this work are outlined, including the challenges in carrying out the creation of authentic assessments that accurately reflect the classroom teaching experience, and the value of in-person community building in the Food Education space. Key findings relate to the importance of in-person collaboration amongst teachers, centering students in evaluation, and equity and accessibility in tool development. Although outlining challenges and outcomes was not an a priori goal of this work, it provides important information for others working in the education nonprofit space-especially as it pertains to new approaches to classroom evaluation.

Education, Health Screening, and Distribution of Functional Emergency Food for Health Recovery for the Elderly After the Cianjur Earthquake

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Abstract P408: Association of Social Risk Factors with Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome at Baseline in Youth with Hypertension Disorders: A SUPERHERO Analysis

Poor cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) health is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease events and cardiovascular mortality in adults. There is a disproportionate burden of CKM syndrome among adults with social risk factors, and the presence of social risk factors can contribute to health and healthcare disparities in patients with CKM syndrome. Nothing is known about the association of social risk factors with CKM syndrome in youth with hypertension disorders. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Study of the Epidemiology of Pediatric Hypertension (SUPERHERO), a retrospective Registry of electronic health record data obtained using standardized and validated biomedical informatics scripts. Inclusion criteria were youth &lt;19 years old who received care from subspecialists for hypertension disorders from 1/1/2026–12/31/2023 defined by ICD-10 codes. Exclusion criteria were kidney failure on dialysis, kidney transplantation, or pregnancy by ICD-10 codes. The outcome was CKM syndrome defined by ICD-10 codes and included no risk, stage 1 and stage 2 CKM syndrome; for this analysis we excluded those who were unclassified ( n =630, 7%). Exposure was presence of at least one social risk factor defined by ICD-10 codes and included food access, transportation, housing, income, education, employment, family, and crime. We used directed acyclic graph-informed bivariate generalized linear models; no biasing paths were present so no additional covariates were included. Of 8,726 participants, the mean age was 12.8 years ( SD 4.5) and 62% were male. CKM syndrome stage 1 prevalence was 20% and CKM stage 2 was 65%. Seventy-four (0.8%) youth had at least one social risk factor. Presence of social risk factors was not associated with CKM syndrome (OR 0.9, 95% CL 0.6 to 1.5). Among youth referred for hypertension disorders, we found that those with social risk factors were not more likely to have CKM syndrome. Given the low prevalence of social risk factors by ICD-10 codes only in this early SUPERHERO phase, there is a critical need for a transdisciplinary approach to more comprehensively screen for and identify social risk factors. Further investigation into this important topic may inform risk stratification based on presence of social risk factors and targeted interventions to improve CKM health. Future SUPERHERO analysis will investigate the impact of interventions addressing social risk factors on CKM health outcomes.

Transactional sex in humanitarian settings: A comparative analysis of livelihood and demographic predictors.

Millions of people have been displaced within or outside their countries. Disruptions associated with displacement often lead to transactional sex with dire social, sexual and reproductive health implications. A common driver of transactional sex is food insecurity among refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), yet IDP/refugee settings offer an opportunity for females to challenge and renegotiate gender norms and exercise greater control over their lives and sexuality. We compared predictors of transactional sex across humanitarian settings and found them to be significantly different. Among IDPs, the likelihood of transactional sex reduces with having access to food ration and education, but increases with having 'other sources' of income. Among refugees, transactional sex likelihood reduces with having either/both parent(s) alive but increases with working for money. Hence, multiple factors drive transactional sex in different contexts. Protecting women in humanitarian situations from the risks of transactional sex requires an understanding of these differences.

Mapping and Assessing Urban Agriculture in São Paulo: Tackling Socio-Economic and Environmental Issues through Nature-Based Solutions

Inefficient urban transformations pose multifaceted challenges. In this context, urban agriculture (UA) can address environmental and socio-economic issues. Despite recent UA policies in São Paulo, the lack of data hampers comprehensive evaluations, highlighting the need for robust indicators to enhance environmental sustainability. This article assesses São Paulo’s UA potential using an Ecosystem Services (ES)-based approach, combining ES spatial mapping and a producer survey at 49 UA sites. Results show natural habitats and anthropic areas within urbanised land, especially in the south, with high habitat quality scores. Nine ES were identified: food supply, commercialisation, income generation, waste mediation, lifecycle maintenance, soil formation, leisure/social, well-being, and education. Utilising mixed methods, this study provides innovative insights into ES related to UA in São Paulo, offering valuable input for urban policies and planning.

Educommunication in Nutrition and Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review followed the JBI Institute Reviewer's Manual. The search was conducted between June 2022 and March 2023 in databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. Out of 189 studies identified, 29 met the eligibility criteria, and only 3 were suitable for inclusion in this review. Studies using educommunication for food and nutrition education are scarce. Despite the limited number of studies included in this review, various educommunication strategies utilizing communication and information technologies were used. Educommunication strategies can facilitate knowledge acquisition in food and nutrition and change behaviors, resulting in health benefits for the participants. More studies on this subject are needed.

Scale up of the learning circles: a participatory action approach to support local food systems in four diverse First Nations school communities within Canada

BackgroundAddressing Indigenous food security and food sovereignty calls for community-driven strategies to improve access to and availability of traditional and local food. Participatory approaches that integrate Indigenous leadership have supported successful program implementation. Learning Circles: Local Healthy Food to School is a participatory program that convenes a range of stakeholders including food producers, educators and Knowledge Keepers to plan, implement and monitor local food system action. Pilot work (2014–2015) in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia (BC), showed promising results of the Learning Circles (LC) approach in enhancing local and traditional food access, knowledge and skills among youth and adolescents. The objective of the current evaluation was therefore to examine the process of scaling-up the LC vertically within the Haida Nation; and horizontally across three diverse First Nations contexts: Gitxsan Nation, Hazelton /Upper Skeena, BC; Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan; and Black River First Nation, Manitoba between 2016 and 2019.MethodsAn implementation science framework, Foster-Fishman and Watson’s (2012) ABLe Change Framework, was used to understand the LC as a participatory approach to facilitate community capacity building to strengthen local food systems. Interviews (n = 52), meeting summaries (n = 44) and tracking sheets (n = 39) were thematically analyzed.ResultsThe LC facilitated a collaborative process to: (1) build on strengths and explore ways to increase readiness and capacity to reclaim traditional and local food systems; (2) strengthen connections to land, traditional knowledge and ways of life; (3) foster community-level action and multi-sector partnerships; (4) drive actions towards decolonization through revitalization of traditional foods; (5) improve availability of and appreciation for local healthy and traditional foods in school communities; and (6) promote holistic wellness through steps towards food sovereignty and food security. Scale-up within Haida Gwaii supported a growing, robust local and traditional food system and enhanced Haida leadership. The approach worked well in other First Nations contexts, though baseline capacity and the presence of champions were enabling factors.ConclusionsFindings highlight LC as a participatory approach to build capacity and support iterative planning-to-action in community food systems. Identified strengths and challenges support opportunities to expand, adopt and modify the LC approach in other Indigenous communities with diverse food systems.