Summary / Key takeaways
Planetary health recognizes that human health depends on the health of Earth’s interconnected systems, including air, water, soil, climate, biodiversity, and the relationships that sustain them. Climate change and ecological degradation are now placing increasing pressure on these systems, with direct impacts on food security, health equity, and the resilience of healthcare services. At the same time, food systems are a major driver of environmental change, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion, while also shaping population health outcomes.
Food infrastructures in healthcare sit at the centre of this challenge and opportunity. Food is not only nutrition, but also care, culture, and healing. It influences patient recovery, staff well-being, and system sustainability. Reframing food as “food is medicine” and a core part of care delivery enables healthcare systems to act on multiple goals at once: improving health outcomes, reducing waste and emissions, supporting equity, and strengthening resilience.
A planetary health approach to food infrastructures emphasizes sustainable and Indigenous food systems, prioritizing reciprocity, cultural safety, and ecological stewardship. Practical approaches include planetary health menus, food waste reduction, circular nutrient systems, and integration of local and regenerative sourcing.
Change in this area requires aligning goals across patient health, population health, staff well-being, economic value, and ecological health, while embedding equity, Indigenous food sovereignty, and place-based decision-making. The resources associated with this work support healthcare teams in redesigning food infrastructures to deliver co-benefits across people, place, and planet.
Playbook: Food Infrastructures for Planetary Health
Suggested Citation:
Cutbill J, Lalande A, Paczka Giorgi L, Devitt K, Janousek S . Food Infrastructure for Planetary Health . Version 1.1. [Internet]. CASCADES; 2024 [cited DATE]. Available from: https://www.cascadescanada.ca/.
