Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

• We thank the CFS and HLPE for submitting the V0 draft of the report “Strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems to achieve food security and nutrition in the con- text of urbanization and rural transformation” and for the possibility to provide input at an early stage.
• We welcome that the CFS addresses the important issue of urban and peri-urban food systems, which is and will be increasingly a highly relevant topic and is deeply inter- connected with the inequality workstream. In our view, it would be valuable to create topical synergies between these two workstreams.
• As urbanization grows, it is essential to introduce human rights-based policies which addresses not only the availability and accessibility of food but cover also other rele- vant aspects, e.g. as nutritional balance and the cross-cutting issues of food safety, climate and biodiversity protection, to promote the transformation to sustainable and resilient food systems. This is all the more true against the background of multiple crises and conflicts to which urban and peri-urban food systems are particularly vul- nerable.
• The multi-stakeholder and multi-level approaches should therefore always also re- flect the rural character and the production side.
• Finally, we would like to draw your attention to the Global Forum for Food and Agri- culture 2016 with the special focus on urbanization: GFFA_Kommu- nique_2016_EN.pdf (gffa-berlin.de)

Remarks on individual chapters of the Report

In our view, the chapters are well chosen and reflect adequately and effectively the focus areas of urban and peri-urban food systems. They provide the key facts and sound analysis. We would like to make the following suggestions:

Chapter 4:

• chapter 4 should be enriched with forest and forestry issues: In addition to the di- verse tree fruits for nutrition, aspects such as the positive environmental impacts of trees and forests for food systems (water retention, cooling, soil protection, etc.) as well as extended nutritional contributions (foliage as animal feed, wood/charcoal as an energy source for food preparation, etc.) should be men-tioned. A reference to corresponding FAO resolutions in the Forestry and Agricul- ture Committees to consider sustainable food systems and agroforestry more closely together in future could be added. Finally, peri-urban forest and tree- based food systems can serve to reduce the pressure of destruction on the still in- tact forests in areas further away from the city. Reference should be made to past discussions on the topic of food and forestry in the CFS.

• In Chapter 4.6.3., especially consumer food waste is highlighted. We suggest to take into account that consumer food waste refers to household food waste and food waste generated in the out-of-home catering (such as restaurants and com- munal catering like schools and canteens). The causes why food waste arises are complex and diverse. They (and suitable food waste reduction measures) differ between both sectors. You also might bear in mind that other sectors’ actions generate food waste in urban and peri-urban food systems ande have an impact on consumer food waste.
• chapter 4.6.4.: we would like to highlight not only particular points of vulnerabil- ity in food systems but also potential leverage points as well as develop ap- proaches to enhance the systems’ resilience. See proposed wording p.68
• we would also like to highlight biodiversity-related aspects in this chapter. See proposed wording incl. references, p.59, p.62, p.68.

case studies/success stories:

a) evidence-based examples of successful interventions in urban and peri-urban food sys- tems with the principles behind what made the process work

• The German "AgroBioNet" project investigated how rural regions and companies can be economically successful with food from special or endangered varieties and breeds. They analyzed 21 practical examples, identified success factors and derived recommendations that can be transferred to similar projects (eg. supermarkets who offer meat products from traditional and neglected breeds in the respective region of origin together with traders and farmers). The case studies, success factors and rec- ommendations are presented in the final brochure "Value creation with old varieties and old breeds" efforts made to enhance agency in urban and peri-urban food sys- tems;

• Concept of solidarity-based farming where food is no longer sold on the market, but flows into its own transparent economic cycle, which is co-organized and financed by the consumers. Specifically, this is an association of farms or markets with a group of private households. Based on the estimated annual costs of agricultural production, this group undertakes to pay a fixed (usually monthly) amount to the farm each year in advance. This enables the producers to devote themselves to good agricultural practice, to keep the soil fertile and to farm in line with demand, independently of market constraints.In return, the buyers receive the entire harvest and (if the farm produces it) processed products such as bread, cheese etc.. The personal relationship makes people aware of their mutual responsibility. Website (unfortunately, only available in German: https://www.solidarische-landwirtschaft.org/das-konzept/was- ist-solawi).