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The Intersection Between Food Literacy and Sustainability: A Systematic Quantitative Literature Review

Author

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  • Sarah McManus

    (School of Education and Professional Studies, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt 4122, Australia)

  • Donna Pendergast

    (Arts, Education, Law, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt 4122, Australia)

  • Harry Kanasa

    (School of Education and Professional Studies, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt 4122, Australia)

Abstract

Achieving a sustainable global society is dependent on effective modern food systems and sustainable food literacy competency. This study aimed to make visible the nature of the intersection between food literacy and sustainability (sustainable food literacy) by employing a systematic quantitative literature review reported through PRISMA principles. It explored the representation and intersectionality of these research concepts to reveal the knowledge, skill, and attitude/behaviour dimensions of sustainable food literacy and Education for Sustainable Development to support SDG 4: Quality Education. The inclusion criteria of English language, peer-reviewed, full-text articles where food literacy and sustainability intersect through minor, major, or focus article links yielded N = 114 articles. Although experiencing rapid growth between 2013 and 2022, sustainable food literacy research was identified as fragmented and incomplete. This review reveals and conceptualises 19 sustainable food literacy research topics, including knowledge, skills, and attitudes/behaviours (86%), education (51%), food systems (45%), consumers/consumption (44%), and sustainable diets (34%). This study confirms that education with foundational and critical knowledge, skills, and attitudes/behaviours is pivotal to developing sustainable food literacy competency. Eight propositions are provided to guide further research to support SDG 4: Quality Education, focusing on exploring teacher capacity, successful educational approaches, and supportive policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah McManus & Donna Pendergast & Harry Kanasa, 2025. "The Intersection Between Food Literacy and Sustainability: A Systematic Quantitative Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-32, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:2:p:459-:d:1563184
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Liesel Carlsson & Edith Callaghan & Göran Broman, 2021. "Assessing Community Contributions to Sustainable Food Systems: Dietitians Leverage Practice, Process and Paradigms," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 34(5), pages 575-601, October.
    2. Hala Mohsen & Yonna Sacre & Lara Hanna-Wakim & Maha Hoteit, 2022. "Nutrition and Food Literacy in the MENA Region: A Review to Inform Nutrition Research and Policy Makers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-25, August.
    3. Nanna Meyer & Mary Ann Kluge & Sean Svette & Alyssa Shrader & Andrea Vanderwoude & Bethany Frieler, 2021. "Food Next Door: From Food Literacy to Citizenship on a College Campus," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-24, January.
    4. Bebiana Marques & Jorge Azevedo & Isilda Rodrigues & Conceição Rainho & Carla Gonçalves, 2022. "Food Insecurity Levels among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study," Societies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-11, November.
    5. Kim Smith & Rebecca Wells & Corinna Hawkes, 2022. "How Primary School Curriculums in 11 Countries around the World Deliver Food Education and Address Food Literacy: A Policy Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-32, February.
    6. Virginia Vettori & Chiara Lorini & Chiara Milani & Guglielmo Bonaccorsi, 2019. "Towards the Implementation of a Conceptual Framework of Food and Nutrition Literacy: Providing Healthy Eating for the Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-21, December.
    7. Tammara Soma & Belinda Li & Virginia Maclaren, 2020. "Food Waste Reduction: A Test of Three Consumer Awareness Interventions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-19, January.
    8. Ayaka Nomura, 2020. "The shift of food value through food banks: a case study in Kyoto, Japan," Evolutionary and Institutional Economics Review, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 243-264, January.
    9. Lisa Jordan Powell & Hannah Wittman, 2018. "Farm to school in British Columbia: mobilizing food literacy for food sovereignty," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 35(1), pages 193-206, March.
    10. Maurizio Massaro & John Dumay & James Guthrie, 2016. "On the shoulders of giants: undertaking a structured literature review in accounting," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 29(5), pages 767-801, June.
    11. Sylvain Charlebois & Janet Music & Shannon Faires, 2021. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Canada’s Food Literacy: Results of a Cross-National Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-13, May.
    12. Amber Bastian & Courtney Parks & Fiona H. McKay & Paige van der Pligt & Amy Yaroch & Sarah A. McNaughton & Rebecca Lindberg, 2022. "Development of a Comprehensive Household Food Security Tool for Families with Young Children and/or Pregnant Women in High Income Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-17, August.
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    1. Sofia G. Florença & Ana Luísa Amaral & Filipa Costa & Cristina A. Costa, 2025. "Citizen Science and the Food System—A Focus Group Pilot Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-14, October.
    2. Paula Silva, 2025. "Adolescents’ Perceptions of Sustainable Diets: Myths, Realities, and School-Based Interventions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-28, June.

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