As pressures on the global food system continue to build, driven by climate change, economic and political uncertainty, governments are increasingly recognising the need for a more united, system-wide approach to food policy. Scotland and Catalonia offer two examples of how this can be achieved. Both have developed ambitious national strategies that consider all stages of the food system, from production and processing through to consumption. 

We researched how both Scotland and Catalonia are strengthening food resilience and what lessons these approaches offer for the development of a National Food Resilience plan for Wales. This piece also examines how food policy, governance, and monitoring frameworks can be used to tackle challenges within the food system within devolved contexts. 

A Whole-System Approach to Food 

A key strength shared by both Scotland and Catalonia is the recognition that food policy needs a holistic and unified approach. Food resilience should be treated as a crosscutting issue, requiring coordination across government bodies and engagement with public bodies, third-sector organisations, and the private sector.

Scotland has embedded this approach in legislation through the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022, which establishes a statutory basis for the Good Food Nation Plan, prioritising health, accessibility and affordability of food, alongside economic growth.

Catalonia has adopted a more territorially focused approach through its Strategic Food Plan (PEAC), relying on a collaborative framework that focuses on aligning and supporting all actors within the food system such as producers, distributors, consumers and policy makers 

Within both plans, food resilience is closely linked to wider goals of education, health, environmental sustainability, and economic prosperity, ensuring that food policy also contributes to broader wellbeing outcomes. 

Scotland: The Good Food Nation Plan 

Scotland’s Good Food Nation Plan has a strong legislative basis, setting out clear national outcomes to measure its success, whilst being supported through a monitoring system and wider wellbeing indicators. Key elements of the model include: 

• Environmental Sustainability: The plan highlights the importance of environmental protection across the food system, with a particular focus on promoting nature-friendly and organic farming practices. 
• Food Literacy and Health: Scotland focuses on embedding food education in schools and improving diets across the population. The plan also aims to tackle structural barriers through financial support and the expansion of school meals. This is also supported through national dietary goals. 
• Economic growth: Scotland’s plan incorporates support for food and drink businesses and encourages careers across the supply chain. 
• Domestic Food Production: The plan places great emphasis on domestic food production, particularly through support for farmers, crofters, and fishers. Monitoring focuses on indicators such as soil health and land under organic management. 
• Public Sector Procurement: Scotland aims for public food provision (e.g. schools and hospitals) to prioritise safe, seasonal, and locally sourced produce, while enabling access for smaller producers. 

Catalonia: Strategic Food Plan (PEAC)  

Catalonia’s Strategic Food Plan offers a complementary perspective, focusing on territorial food systems and the role of communities in implementing and developing the Strategic Food Plan. Its approach includes: 

• Strong stakeholder and citizen engagement: The plan ensures policies reflect local priorities whilst building resilience and self-sufficiency through investment into regional food systems. 
• Local Economic Development: Catalonia focuses on strengthening competitiveness and resilience, particularly among SMEs. 
• Public Sector Food: Catalonia emphasises procurement through broader reform, recognising it as a major area of public spending and a strategic driver of food system change. 
• Domestic Food Production: In Catalonia, domestic production features less prominently as a standalone theme but is instead embedded within efforts to develop a resilient and innovative agri‑food sector that supports rural and coastal communities. 
• Food Literacy and Healthy Diets: Catalonia’s plan places strong emphasis on informed consumer choice, supported by public information on food choices and health. 
• Access to Healthy Foods: Catalonia focuses on improving the affordability of food, maintaining high food quality standards, and strengthening trust between consumers and markets. 

Key Lessons for Wales 

This comparative analysis highlights several lessons for Wales that could be used in the development of a National Food Resilience Plan. A National Food Resilience Strategy for Wales would be pivotal in improving food resilience and security across the nation. The development of a National Food Strategy was recommended by the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales in the Future Generations 2025 Report. 

Priorities for Wales: 

• Establish a clear national vision for food resilience that aligns with wellbeing goals under the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act.  
• Embed food policy across government, enabled through a united policy approach and measurable indicators. 
• Use public procurement as a strategic lever, driving demand for sustainable, local, and nutritious food. 
• Strengthen local and regional food systems, supporting SMEs and regional food production. 
• Invest in food literacy and public engagement, recognising the role of education and knowledge in shaping food systems. 

A National Food Resilience Plan could unite current initiatives under a single strategic framework, helping to: 

• Address immediate pressures on food security and affordability 
• Improve population health outcomes 
• Support sustainable economic development in the food and drink sector 
• Improve environmental resilience in the face of the climate emergency. 

Ultimately, the experiences of Scotland and Catalonia demonstrate that transforming food systems requires both strategic vision and coordination. By drawing on international best practice and adapting it to Welsh priorities, Wales can move towards a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable food future.