Challenge

Our food systems need to be rethought, and like many other cities and municipalities, Kolding wants to be part of the solution. But how to use design thinking as the key to solving the biggest challenges, locally as well as globally?

Process and solution

In 2021, Kolding Municipality and the University of Southern Denmark became part of FOOD2030, an EU-funded research project with partners from 12 European cities. In the coming years, Kolding will serve as a “living lab” where we use design thinking to develop local initiatives that can promote a more sustainable food system.

The project involves actors from ground to board, ranging from producers and distributors to retailers and citizens. Based on their wishes and needs, we develop and test a variety of solutions and gain concrete insights into what works — and just as importantly, what doesn't.‍

Results

To date, FOOD2030 has initiated efforts in 37 areas of improvement. Among other things, within:

• Distribution and transportation: Here, we explore options for creating a more local food system so that we can increase food safety and minimize packaging and transportation.

• Consumption and behavior: Here we involve and inspire the citizens of Kolding to change their habits towards a more sustainable food culture, for example through community dining events and workshops.

• Food waste: Here we investigate effective methods to avoid food waste both in private households and in public canteens, as well as circular measures for recycling food waste.

• Governance and organization: Here we work with relevant authorities to organise and anchor actions that can promote the development of a more sustainable food system.

Through the project's individual efforts, we continuously collect new knowledge, data and feedback, which are included in the municipality's overall roadmap for a more sustainable food strategy. The final results of the research project are expected to be published after the completion of FOOD2030 in the year 20xx.