Infographic – Food literacy: 3 complementary dimensions for informed food choices

The concept of food literacy refers to the set of knowledge, skills and attitudes that enable a person to make informed, healthy and sustainable food choices (Cullen, 2015).

Food literacy is built from an early age and evolves throughout life. It is based on three interconnected dimensions that directly influence food choices:

• Functional skills: practical knowledge and skills required to manage daily food choices, such as understanding food groups and knowing how to cook a balanced meal, reading labels, grocery shopping, and managing a food budget.
• Relational skills: understanding how culture, family, friends, and peers influence the way we eat, share meals, and pass on culinary traditions.
• Critical skills: being able to analyze nutritional information disseminated in the media or on the internet, to question public health messages, and recognize food marketing strategies.

Nevertheless, these skills alone do not determine people’s behavior. Food literacy is particularly influenced by the food environment (availability and accessibility of food products, marketing), which can facilitate or hinder its development. Conversely, greater literacy enables individuals to understand their environment and act on it, for example by supporting more responsible food policies or practices.

Thus, strengthening food literacy helps to influence both individual behavior and the food environment.