Sustainability at Every Stage of Food Service Systems

The increase in world population, the increase in food production and the increase in urban life trigger climate change and cause the ecological balance to deteriorate. Climate change is strongly linked to the food chain and food security. Sustainable nutrition is very important in many aspects such as ensuring food security and preventing climate change. Sustainable nutrition is defined as diets that have low environmental impact, are accessible, affordable, safe, fair, culturally acceptable and support the health and well-being of individuals in all dimensions. Sustainable nutrition emphasizes services that have the least negative ecological impact, are cost-effective, meet the nutritional and energy needs and therefore are in solidarity with food production systems at all stages from the production to consumption of food. In this context, food service systems, which have a complex structure where many activities are carried out, should be examined at every stage of their service. The aim of this study is to emphasize the importance of sustainable nutrition in food service systems and to examine the literature on how sustainability can be achieved at food service systems. As a result, it was found that every stage of food service systems could be associated with sustainability. Several novel studies are needed to evaluate the suitability of food service systems for sustainability and to create interventions.