The Challenges and Opportunities of Implementing the "True Cost of Food" Concept in Swiss Value Chains

Work Package 4, led by the CCRS at the School of Management Fribourg (HEG-FR), explores the opportunities and challenges of implementing True Cost Accounting for Food (TCAF) within selected food value chains through case studies (see the fact sheets on Eggs, Potatoes, Salmon and Pork), stakeholder surveys, and sustainability performance assessment. The work is financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) Sinergia grant for 2024 - 2027. The consortium is currently composed of University of Lausanne (HEC and UNISANTE), EPFL (Laboratory for Environmental and Urban Economics – LEURE), HEG Fribourg (Center for Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability), University of Bern (Centre for Development and Environment), and Bern University for Applied Sciences (School of Agriculture, Forest and Food Sciences, HAFL).

Preliminary Findings 

On 25 March, CCRS held a workshop in Bern with selected stakeholders from the Swiss food system. During the workshop, CCRS presented the main findings from a prior online stakeholder survey focusing on perception patterns towards Ture Cos Accounting of Food (TCAF). 

The analysis identified three statistically distinct perception patterns, which were presented and discussed with participants. A majority of workshop participants confirmed the relevance of the findings, particularly the importance of measurable sustainability performance and the central role of innovation in True Cost Accounting of food systems. 

The results are currently being developed into a scientific paper and will be published soon.

Further information about the project, consortium and ongoing activities can be found on the official project website: 
TRUE-COST-CH

CCRS Working Papers in this project