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

Sarah McManus (), Donna Pendergast and Harry Kanasa
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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

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-32

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.

Keywords: food literacy; food literacy education; sustainable development; sustainable development goals; education for sustainable development; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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