Sustainable Diets Editorial Circle

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Dalhousie University logo  Swette Center  University of Florida  

LATEST NEWS FROM Sustainable Diets Editorial Circle

May, 2026: SDEC is preparing to launch its first Sustainable Diets Briefs. 

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Sustainable Diets EC Purpose 

SDEC is composed of sustainable food system scholars and practitioners with a wide range of expertise: from public health, One Health, and food as medicine, to humane animal proteins, subsidized CSAs, and FoodRx programs. SDEC aspires to identify, research, and encourage the publication of state-of-the-art community-based solutions that address hunger, nutrition, and well-being, while also keeping the best interests of the planet in mind.

SDEC Co-Associate Editor: Dr. Kathleen Kevany; SDEC Co-Associate Editor: Allison (Allie) Lansman

Kathleen Kevany                  Allie Lansman

Sustainable Diets EC Members

Catherine Campbell, University of Florida

Estève Giraud, Arizona State University, Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems

Allison (Allie) Lansman, (SDEC Co-Chair) Arizona State University, Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems

Sara Aly Sayed, Arizona State University, Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems

For more information about the Sustainable Diets Editorial Circle, contact SDEC Co-Associate Editor, Dr. Kathleen Kaveny

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________SDEC Open Call for Program, Policy, and Practice Briefs

The Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD) Sustainable Diets Editorial Circle (SDEC) invites submissions to its ongoing series of Program, Policy, and Practice Briefs. This peer-reviewed series of concise, two-page briefs distills well-established policies, programs, and practices related to sustainable diets into practical, high-impact publications designed to inform and inspire cross-sector, cross-functional professionals and change makers working across the food system.

First coined by Gussow and Clancy, the SDEC defines the term sustainable diets as dietary patterns that promote individual and population health and well-being while having low environmental impacts; are culturally affirming, affordable, safe, nutritionally robust, and attainable for all; and contribute to resilient, equitable, and sustainable food systems for present and future generations. This definition is adapted from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) (Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO] & World Health Organization [WHO], 2019).

Briefs should synthesize current best-known practices, emphasizing programs, policies, or interventions that have demonstrated durability over time or have been formally evaluated and shown to be effective.
Submissions of 600–700 words are welcomed on a broad range of topics, including but not limited to:

* Nutrition and healthy diets across the lifespan
* Food as medicine (including Produce Rx and MTM programs)
* Food, nutrition, and culinary education
* Healthy and sustainable dietary patterns
* Measuring and evaluating diet sustainability
* Social and behavioral dimensions of food choice
* Underutilized, traditional, Indigenous, and biodiverse foods
* Equitable food environments and consumer access
* Food sovereignty and nutrition justice
* Public policy, governance, and trade related to sustainable diets
* Public procurement and regional food systems
* General Information About Preparing Briefs

Briefs should be grounded in well-documented programs, policies, or practices. Authors are also encouraged to submit thoughtful post-mortem analyses of initiatives that were modified, restructured, or discontinued, highlighting lessons learned that can inform future efforts.
Collaborative authorship among practitioners, researchers, policymakers, community leaders, and educators is strongly encouraged.

Program, Policy, and Practice Briefs undergo peer review and follow a concise format consisting of approximately 600–700 words, plus references and resource links. Please consult the JAFSCD Brief Guidelines before preparing your submission.

Presubmission Review
Because the Sustainable Diets Brief series is curated, all prospective authors are asked to complete a brief presubmission inquiry.

To submit a proposal and draft, CLICK HERE. Sustainable Diets Associate Co-Editor Dr. Kathleen Kevany will respond within approximately two weeks regarding whether your proposal is invited to proceed to full peer review.

Questions?
For additional information about the Sustainable Diets Editorial Circle or the Sustainable Diets Brief series, please contact:

Dr. Kathleen Kevany
Sustainable Diets Associate Co-Editor, JAFSCD
KKevany@dal.ca

SUSTAINABLE DIET BRIEF FAQ:

What kinds of submissions are you looking for?

We're looking for briefs that highlight tested, durable ideas about sustainable diets programming, policy, and  practice. The brief should represent the state-of-the art on a specific sustainable diets challenge, opportunity, mechanism, or approach, and synthesize lessons or evidence that can inform decision-making by others working in similar settings. As they are for the benefit of practitioners, policymakers, and researchers, briefs should be matter-of-fact and not self-congratulatory. A strong submission synthesizes the current evidence-based knowledge about sustainable diets; it distills what administrators, practitioners, or policymakers learned in a way that travels beyond a single context. Case examples of both successful and failed efforts may be very instructive.

Do I need to submit by a deadline?

The ongoing call for briefs is open on a rolling basis; you are welcome to submit a query at any time. Special topic calls within the series may have specific deadlines, which will be announced separately.

How long will this series run?

We expect to be publishing briefs in this series for the foreseeable future. This field is dynamic, and well-timed contributions on emerging sustainable diet challenges and opportunities are especially valuable.

Do I need an academic co-author?

No! Authoritative expertise matters more than institutional credentials, and practitioner authors are especially welcome. If you're an administrator, program manager, or practitioner who knows this work from the inside, you're exactly the kind of author we're hoping to hear from. That said, it may strengthen your brief if you have an academic co-author who can help provide context and citations to applied research that support the brief. We may also recommend or help you find a co-author.

How long should my submission be?

The query submission form asks for a 250-word description of your topic’s contribution, separate from the brief itself. The brief has section-specific character limits set out in the Brief Guidelines; the main narrative is limited to 5,000 characters including spaces (approximately 600-700 words). You do not need a complete draft to submit a query, although attaching one can speed review.

How does the process work?

  1. Submit the query form with a 250-word topic description and optional draft.
  2. The Associate Editor conducts a desk review within a few days. 
  3. If it’s a fit, you’ll receive an invitation to submit formally through our manuscript submission portal. 
  4. Double-blind peer review is conducted with a two-week turnaround target.
  5. The Associate Editor notifies you of acceptance, revision, or decline.
  6. Accepted briefs are copyedited, formatted, and published as they are completed.

What happens if my brief isn’t accepted or isn’t the right fit for the series?

Depending on your topic, we may suggest: 

  • Another brief series or JAFSCD’s general Research Brief pipeline.
  • Voices From the Grassroots, for first-person practitioner narratives that are more reflective.
  • Viewpoints, for arguments and perspective pieces. 

Your Associate Co-Editor will work with you to find the right home for your work.

Is there a submission fee, and are waivers available?

Authors who are not affiliated with a shareholding institution are asked to join the JAFSCD Community by becoming an individual JAFSCD shareholder before submitting. Joining is free; a $25 donation is requested but not required. To join, visit jafscdcommunity.org.

Are international submissions eligible?

In general, yes! International submissions are welcome as long as they provide practical information that is applicable across diverse economic and sociocultural settings worldwide. 

Where are the finished JAFSCD Briefs published?

Briefs are assigned a DOI (durable object identifier) for permanent linking. They are shared on a dedicated page on the JAFSCD website: https://www.foodsystemsjournal.org/index.php/fsj/jafscdbriefs

What if I am not sure what qualifies topically as a sustainable diets brief?

If you're unsure whether your topic qualifies, reach out to Associate Co-Editor Kathleen Kevany at KKevany@Dal.Ca before submitting—we're happy to think it through with you.