Staples like grain, cooking oil, meat, eggs, milk, fruits and vegetables have long been central to daily life on the Chinese mainland. But this year, policy has shifted from simply ensuring people have enough to eat to helping them eat well.
At the heart of this change is President Xi Jinping's 'greater food approach' – an all-encompassing vision for nutrition and dietary quality. During domestic inspection tours, President Xi checks everything from crop conditions in the fields to home-cooked meals, emphasizing the need to curb food waste and upgrade food supplies.
What Is the 'Greater Food Approach'?
The concept goes beyond grain. It aims to meet evolving dietary needs by guaranteeing a diverse and effective supply of meat, vegetables, fruits, aquatic products and dairy, while maintaining a solid grain foundation. As President Xi first noted in the early 1990s in Fujian, food should be understood as any product that sustains life – not just calories.
From Vision to National Policy
- 2015: At the Central Rural Work Conference, leaders called for an all-encompassing approach to agriculture and food.
- 2022: The 20th CPC National Congress report emphasized a diversified food supply system.
- 2025: This year's No. 1 central document highlights multi-channel food resource development – from boosting livestock production to urban agriculture initiatives.
By framing food security in terms of variety and quality, the Chinese mainland's approach resonates with global trends in sustainable diets and waste reduction. Young entrepreneurs, policy advocates and travelers can draw lessons from this shift toward health-focused, diverse food systems.
Reference(s):
What is China's 'greater food approach' for the people's well-being
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