Special issue of Ethnologia Fennica explores sustainability-related transgressions and contestations in various parts of the food system, looking for more sustainable foodways and offering guidelines for future research. This thematic issue draws inspiration from the panel and from the round table ‘Braking norms and traditions in pursuit of sustainable food ways’ discussion held at the SIEF 2021 congress: Breaking the rules? Power, Participation and Transgression. The panel discussed the pursuit of sustainable foodways and related norm-making and norm-breaking practices, asking the following question: ‘What kinds of transgressions are, and are not, made when seeking more sustainable foodways?’ The panel and roundtable discussion built on the idea that the pursuit of a sustainable future involves the breaking of old food-related rules, the making of new ones and the bending of both. The aim of the roundtable was to encourage further discussion on whether and how ethnologists can participate in the pursuit of sustainable foodways. By mapping the past, present and future state of the ethnological study of food and sustainability, this issue continues these discussions.