Sweden’s food preparedness starts at the local grocery store

The war in Ukraine has changed how we think about preparedness. When electricity supplies, transport or communications are disrupted, the local grocery store is more than a place to shop; it becomes part of the community’s essential infrastructure. The question is not whether Sweden needs stronger food preparedness, but whether the necessary arrangements will be in place before the next crisis.

In recent years, Sweden has taken important steps to strengthen its total defence. The security environment in Europe has changed, expectations of resilience have increased, and security of supply has returned to the political agenda. This is both necessary and welcome. At the same time, there is a case for balancing national strategies with greater attention to the level at which preparedness needs to work in practice: the local level.

In the event of a serious disruption to supply chains, municipalities need to ensure that schools, elderly care and other essential public services can continue to operate. Local cooperation with grocery retailers, transport providers and producers will also be important in maintaining access to food.

However, circumstances vary considerably between municipalities. Some have limited resources, specialist expertise or clear guidance, which means that preparedness is developing at different rates. PA Consulting’s report Secure Futures 2026: Securing Europe together, based on a survey across nine European NATO countries, shows that Sweden and Finland are the only countries where more people believe their country is prepared rather than unprepared for major security threats.

Resilient supply systems depend on more than plans. They also require strong relationships, clear responsibilities and effective cooperation between the public and private sectors. Building that cooperation before a crisis occurs will make it more effective when it is needed.

Grocery retailers should be fully integrated into Sweden’s civil preparedness planning, rather than being brought in only after supply chains have been disrupted. Experience from Ukraine shows that grocery stores can quickly become important local hubs for both essential supplies and public information when communities are under severe pressure. Municipalities, public authorities and retailers should therefore plan and exercise together, and build trusted relationships in advance.

Municipalities have an important role to play. Alongside planning for their own services, they can work with retailers to address the practical questions that help communities continue to function during a disruption.

Which stores should receive priority during an extended power outage? How can backup power, transport and payment systems be maintained? How can food supplies continue if digital systems are unavailable? And which local producers could contribute if regular supply chains are disrupted?

It is also important to address the barriers that can make cooperation more difficult than necessary. Legal, technical and organisational constraints can limit resource sharing, alternative supply arrangements and joint logistics solutions. Addressing them in advance will make it easier to respond effectively when needed.

During a crisis, a grocery store is more than a shop; it forms part of Sweden’s essential infrastructure. Just as we plan for electricity, water and healthcare, we also need to plan for continued access to food. This calls for closer cooperation between public authorities, municipalities and grocery retailers.

Resilience is not only a matter for public authorities and businesses. It also depends on residents having a reasonable level of household preparedness. The better households can manage during the first few days, the more capacity municipalities and retailers have to support those who need help most.

Preparedness is therefore a shared responsibility, not one for government alone.

Several of Sweden’s Nordic neighbours have a long history of systematically involving private-sector organisations in civil preparedness. Their experience could offer useful lessons as Sweden continues to strengthen its own resilience.

Effective preparedness is built before a crisis, through decisions made well in advance.

Sweden’s ability to manage the next major societal crisis will depend not only on what happens when supply chains are disrupted, but on how successfully municipalities, grocery retailers, public authorities and residents build resilience together today.

Read the article in Dagens industri in Swedish.