As we move closer to 2026, food goals around sustainability, health, and equity are becoming more urgent—and more complex. One thing is increasingly clear: food challenges are not only technical or market-driven. They are deeply social.
During the holidays, this becomes especially visible. Many of us enjoy festive meals and treats, but for countless families around the world, access to nutritious and culturally meaningful food remains a daily challenge.
Christmas highlights the stark inequalities in food access—reminding us that achieving food equity is not just a policy goal, but a social imperative.
Social research shows that food choices are shaped by culture, habits, access, time, and trust—not just information or awareness. When strategies ignore these realities, even well-designed policies and products struggle to deliver impact.
If we want to meet 2026 food-related goals, we need to ask different questions:
• Who are food strategies designed for—and who is left out?
• What everyday constraints shape people’s food practices?
• How do power, inequality, and context affect adoption and change?
Understanding food as a social practice—not just a system or supply chain—is essential for turning ambition into action. As 2026 approaches, investing in social research isn’t optional. It’s foundational.
Wishing all our colleagues, partners, and friends a very Happy Christmas and a joyful holiday season!
May 2025–2026 bring inspiration, learning, and meaningful impact in our food systems—so that everyone, everywhere, can enjoy a festive table.
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