Circular food in practice: Collaboration for sustainable public meals

Our Vision

As climate change and uncertainty in the global food chain increase, the need for sustainable and nutritious meals in the public sector becomes more critical. Together with Västra Götaland Region, the Board of Agricultural Education, the School Meals Academy, and other West Swedish actors, we aim to explore the possibility of establishing a regional network and a testbed for circular food systems. Side streams and primary raw materials will be refined into tasty and nutritious products for schools, elderly care, and crisis preparedness in west Sweden. 
Side streams such as vegetable trimmings, whey, wheat bran, and underutilized fish should be seen as valuable resources. Through training and “cookshops,” we will bring together chefs, companies, and researchers to jointly develop sustainable, delicious recipes, using upcycled local ingredients. 

Objectives

• Strengthen sustainability and local food security in case of crisis by developing sustainable, circular ingredients for public meals.
• Connect producers, processors, and public kitchens to co-create more environmental, sustainable and resilient food supply chains  
• Provide meal strategists and chefs with skills development and opportunities to contribute to circular product innovation in collaboration with local food actors. 

What Will Be Done?

The project explores how public meals can become more sustainable through circular methods and raw materials that also work in times of crisis. The goals are to: 

• Establish a regional network.
• Create a circular meal experience to be tested, evaluated by invited stakeholders, and documented through photos and film.
• Develop a roadmap for circular food systems in Västra Götaland. 

Collaboration and the Way Forward 

RISE, together with the Board of Agricultural Education in Västra Götaland, the University of Borås, regional actors and food companies, will: 

• Explore how processing methods and digital decision support tools to improve taste, nutritional content, and logistics can add value in new combinations.
• Collaborate with cross-sector networks such as Climate 2030, Switch Food Hub Sweden, and the Food Accelerator to test and scale up ideas. 

Why Is This Important?

Food production has a significant climate impact but also holds key solutions for reducing theclimate impact. In Västra Götaland, the food sector employs over 30,000 people. According to the Swedish Board of Agriculture, food losses in Sweden accounts for nearly half a million tons annually. Circular business models and the refinement of by-products are crucial for improving resource efficiency. 

The Role of the Project

The Swedish public meal system- serving 3 million meals a day to pupils, hospital patients, and the elderly, is a unique platform for testing and spreading sustainable food practices. The project aim to act as a catalyst for pilot projects, tools, and recommendations that: 

• Strengthen local food supply.
• Reduce the environmental and climate impact of food in public meal sector.
• Contribute to a circular future where every raw material is valued. 

Organisation

The project is led by RISE together with the Board of Agricultural Education – Västra Götaland Region and the University of Borås, in collaboration with the School Meals Academy, the initiative Climate 2030, Switch Food Hub Sweden, and the Food Accelerator.