The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023 highlighted that over three billion people globally could not afford a healthy diet due to high costs and income inequality. Local and traditional food markets, especially in lower-middle-income countries, are vital in providing access to fresh, nutritious foods and supporting small-scale producers. Local and traditional food markets play a significant role in urban food environments, particularly in Africa and Asia, where urban populations increasingly rely on purchased food rather than self-production. These markets, despite facing competition from supermarkets, offer critical links between producers and consumers and foster market access for small enterprises.

Local and traditional food markets are pivotal in promoting sustainability and inclusivity within agrifood systems, although they often lack proper infrastructure and organization, leading to food losses and reduced nutritional quality. This publication explores how subnational governments can enhance local and traditional food markets management to improve food safety, storage, and social inclusion. Drawing on case studies and expert exchanges, it offers practices for integrating sustainability into market operations. It emphasizes the need for collaborative governance between local, regional, and national authorities to ensure local and traditional food markets support resilient, sustainable agrifood systems.