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. Here, 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 bring together chefs, companies, and researchers to jointly develop sustainable, delicious recipes using upcycled local ingredients.

Objectives

• Strengthen food security and develop sustainable, circular ingredients for public meals.
• Connect producers, processors, and public kitchens to reduce environmental impact and increase resilience.
• 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.
• Develop a roadmap for circular food systems in Västra Götaland.
• Create a circular meal experience to be tested, evaluated by invited stakeholders, and documented through photos and film.

Collaboration and Development

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

• Processing methods and digital decision support for improved taste, nutritional content, and logistics.
• Cross-sector collaborations with 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. In Västra Götaland, the sector employs over 30,000 people. According to the Swedish Board of Agriculture, food losses amount to 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 project acts as a catalyst for pilot projects, tools, and recommendations that:

• Strengthen local food supply.
• Reduce the environmental and climate impact of food.
• 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 initative Climate 2030, Switch Food Hub Sweden, and the Food Accelerator.