Morning meeting: Why do politicians treat Danish food culture like a hot potato?

Beef in one hand, tax relief on chocolate and sweets in the other. Minister of Culture Jacob Engel-Schmidt attended a press conference on the Finance Act with exactly this combination - and in doing so put his finger on a paradox at the heart of Danish politics. While announcing big climate and health ambitions, politicians do not want to touch Danes' (food) habits with a "barbecue tongs". This feeds the debate about pseudo-politics: do political promises actually materialize in reality?

In this morning session, we dive into the political engine room. People pushing for change from the top share frustrations and successes, and provide policy tools to foster a food culture that benefits health, communities and climate.

Does change come from above or from below? Can you politically work with something as personal as food without becoming patronizing? Do we need a social and cultural tripartite: an alliance that works with food as more than business and environmental policy?

These are the questions we debate:

• RASMUS WILLIG: Principal, Suhrs Højskole. Member, Ethical Council. Founder, Andelsgaarde.

• CLAUS MEYER: Gastronomic entrepreneur.

• RASMUS PREHN: Director, Danish Ecological Association. Former Minister of Food.

• BIRGIT S. HANSEN: KL's representative for the Green Tripartite. Former mayor of Frederikshavn.

• JESPER FISKER: Director, Danish Cancer Society. Chairman, Health Structure Commission.

• HENRIK FRANDSEN: Member of Parliament and food spokesman (M). Former mayor of Tønder.