Cultivating Change: Seeds of Food System Transformation

Where can we find inspiration for food systems transformation? In recent years, Wales and Scotland have emerged as pioneers in progressive governance and food policy, challenging conventional approaches to wellbeing and sustainability.

But why focus on Wales and Scotland? Unburdened by the inertia that often plagues larger countries, they've shown a willingness to experiment with bold new approaches to governance. Their efforts offer a glimpse of what's possible when governments dare to think differently about how to address some of the greatest challenges of the 21st century—from climate change to food insecurity.

In 2015, the Welsh Government secured sustainable development at the heart of policymaking, with far-reaching implications for improving food systems. And in 2022, the Scottish Government passed a law that treats food not just as sustenance but as a cornerstone of national identity and wellbeing.

This article examines these innovative policies, their limitations, and their potential. It considers whether the approaches taken in Wales and Scotland might lay the foundations for other nations—in the UK and beyond—to tackle similar challenges in food systems governance.

Wales: Legislating for tomorrow, today

In 2011, Wales stood at a significant juncture. A referendum for greater law-making powers was followed by an election for the then National Assembly for Wales (now the Welsh Parliament, or Senedd). This presented an opportunity to transform long-held principles into concrete legislation. Sustainable development, already a focus of Welsh policymaking, was about to be given legal weight.

The result was the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act (2015) (WFGA), a ground-breaking piece of legislation that legally obligates the government to consider the welfare of future citizens. The Act is often referred to as being the first in the world to incorporate the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals into law. But the Act’s conceptual roots predate the SDGs, positioning Wales as an early adopter of long-term policy thinking and multigenerational planning.

Seven goals, five ways: A blueprint for national wellbeing

The WFGA is founded on intergenerational fairness—an acknowledgement that the decisions we make today will echo far into the future. Effectively, the people of Wales have collectively taken a step back to consider not just the immediate effects of its policies but their reverberations through generations to come.

The Act introduces seven wellbeing goals that read like a wish list for a better world: prosperity, resilience, equality, health, cohesive communities, vibrant culture and Welsh language, and global responsibility.

But these aren’t just lofty ideals. The genius of the Act lies in how it brings these goals into the heart of decision-making with its five “ways of working” that public bodies must adopt: long-term thinking, cross-cutting decision-making, preventative action, engagement at all levels of government, and public participation.

Together, these practical approaches work to reconfigure the very essence of governance, bringing greater inclusivity into the process and connecting present actions to future outcomes.

You might call the appointment of a Future Generations Commissioner—independent of but funded by Welsh Government—the sixth way of working. Their role is to monitor and report on progress in achieving the goals, provide transparency and accountability to the process, and safeguard the long-term interests enshrined in the Act.

Ambitious vision, yet enough food for thought?

The WFGA is, in many ways, an experiment in long-term thinking. It’s one country’s attempt to break free from the short-termism that often plagues politics, instead nurturing a culture of stewardship that extends far beyond electoral cycles.

The Act's holistic approach to wellbeing inevitably encompasses food sytems—for how can we talk about health, prosperity, or global responsibility without considering what we eat and how we produce it? However, the Act is limited by relatively little attention given to food production and a lack of integration with agricultural policy. There’s also a notable absence of additional regulatory requirements on the private sector, potentially limiting the Act’s influence on crucial parts of the economy, including food systems.

These limitations have led some to argue that the Act doesn’t go far enough for food systems transformation. In response, a Food Bill was proposed in 2023 to build on the Act to provide the structure required to really move the needle on food systems. Despite broad support, the bill narrowly failed to progress in the Welsh Parliament. Although the legislation didn’t pass, a cross-ministerial forum led by the First Minister has been set up subsequently to consider food policy issues in Wales.

Scotland’s recipe for a better food future

Where Wales’ Food Bill has faltered, the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act (2022) (GFNA) has succeeded in specifically focusing on the food system. This Act is at once ambitious and pragmatic, representing a significant shift in how a nation views its relationship with food.

While the WFGA takes a broad view, the Good Food Nation Act goes deep. You might look at it as though the people of Scotland have decided to peer into their national kitchen and reimagine not just what’s on the menu but how that menu shapes the country’s future.

From farm to fork: Reimagining a nation’s food system

At its core, this Act mandates the creation of Good Food Nation Plans at both national and local levels, providing concrete roadmaps with specific objectives, actions, and measures to assess progress. Together, they will support strategic, joined-up decision-making at all levels of government, with the aim of transforming Scotland into a nation where sustainable, healthy, and affordable food is not an aspiration but a reality for all.

What’s particularly striking about this legislation is its integrated systems approach. It considers the entire food journey—from the soil where crops are grown to the tables where meals are shared. It’s a recognition that food policy isn’t just about agriculture or nutrition but social justice, environmental stewardship, and cultural identity.

The Act also establishes an independent Scottish Food Commission, a body tasked with monitoring progress and providing advice. This Commission serves as a kind of culinary conscience for the nation, ensuring that the Act’s ambitious goals are translated into tangible changes in Scotland’s food landscape.

Perhaps most importantly, the Act places a special emphasis on vulnerable groups. It acknowledges that true food equality means ensuring that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has access to nourishing, culturally appropriate food. In this way, the Act goes beyond food to address dignity, inclusion, and social cohesion.

The GFNA is, in many ways, a bold experiment. It’s Scotland’s attempt to rewrite its food narrative, moving away from a system that often prioritizes efficiency and profit over health and sustainability. Instead, it envisions a future where good food—in all its complexity and importance—is a right, not a privilege.

Serving up change has its obstacles

Both acts face challenges in their implementation. Both grapple with the difficulty of translating broad, ambitious goals into concrete action and lack specific, measurable targets. This approach, while flexible, could potentially lead to a lack of clarity and accountability in implementation. Implementation is also challenging due to bureaucratic structures and overcoming traditional, siloed working practices within government bodies.

Both nations must continue with engagement, refinement, and even further legislation as these acts are put into practice—matching the complexity of such comprehensive legislation with effective navigation of the challenges that occur. In this way, they will create meaningful change.

Building on success: The evolution of wellbeing and food policies

“We hope that what Wales does today, the world will do tomorrow. Action, more than words, is the hope for our current and future generations.” Nikhil Seth, Former Head of Sustainable Development, United Nations

Despite these hurdles, both acts represent significant steps forward in policy-making. As Wales and Scotland embark on these journeys, their experiences already offer valuable lessons for other nations seeking to reshape their approach to well-being, sustainability, and food systems.

This has begun with each other: Scotland is exploring how it might adapt elements of Wales’ WFGA, such as the establishment of a Future Generations Commissioner, to oversee long-term wellbeing strategies across all policy areas, not just food—institutionalizing a “wellbeing economy”. Wales attempted to introduce its own Food Bill to complement the WFGA and help tackle externalities like the hidden costs of food, from environmental degradation to public health burdens like obesity.

Beyond UK borders, Wales’ approach has already received considerable attention from international bodies such as the United Nations. The UN’s Declaration for Future Generations and the appointment of a Future Generations Envoy echo the frameworks pioneered in Wales. This shows that efforts in small nations can inspire global efforts towards a more equitable and sustainable future.

Pioneering policies, future directions

The Well-being of Future Generations Act and the Good Food Nation Act represent bold experiments in governance, each charting a unique course towards a more sustainable future. Wales has cast a wide net, embedding long-term thinking across all areas of policy. Scotland, meanwhile, has focused its lens on transforming its food system, recognizing food as a cornerstone of national wellbeing.

Both nations are navigating the challenges of realising their goals. Yet, the very existence of these acts signals a shift in political thinking—a recognition that the complex challenges of the 21st century demand innovative solutions.

As these policies take root, they offer valuable lessons not just for the UK, but for nations worldwide grappling with similar issues. They demonstrate that with political will and visionary legislation, it’s possible to reimagine governance to benefit not just current citizens but future generations as well.

I write about the future of food and the connections between our food systems, the environment and public health. Sign up for my newsletter.

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