Strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems to achieve food security and nutrition in the context of urbanization and rural transformation
The High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE-FSN) produces the report “Strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems to achieve food security and nutrition in the context of urbanization and rural transformation”, at the request of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS). The HLPE-FSN report will be presented at the 52nd plenary session of the CFS in October 2024.
With this e-consultation, the HLPE-FSN is seeking your feedback on the proposed scope of this report and the guiding questions below.
SCOPE AND RATIONALE
Almost sixty percent of the global population is currently living in urban centres (UNDESA, 2018; Acharya et al., 2020). These centres are widely seen as engines of growth and employment, producing over 80 percent of the global GDP, but also facing huge challenges in guaranteeing access for all residents to essential services such as health, education, transportation and food (Ibid.). Urban populations are rapidly increasing, with a growth curve particularly sharp in Africa and Asia. The fifteen fastest-growing cities in the world, for example, are in Africa. Alongside urbanization, there has been a “geographical decoupling” (Langemeyer et al., 2021) of cities from sources of food supply, with urban and peri-urban land use being reoriented for “more profitable” uses. As such, cities and towns are fast losing peri-urban agricultural lands, which have historically provided them with fresh and healthy food. Urban areas are also experiencing higher rates of extreme weather events that affect people’s livelihoods and incomes, while inequalities among urban populations are growing (Pelling et al., 2021). These trends mean that urban and peri-urban areas also concentrate risks for food insecurity and malnutrition, which became clear during the COVID-19 pandemic (see for example Rede PENSSAN, 2021), exacerbated by natural disasters and conflicts. At the same time, urban and peri-urban areas are resourceful, serving as hubs for education, technology and innovation, health and social services as well as for food production, processing and distribution, all roles that could be enhanced.
Often, in impoverished urban areas, informal economic and market relationships in food systems can be critical for food security, but suffer from policy and regulatory neglect. Informal food systems comprise a complex network of suppliers, transporters, hawkers, retailers and street and market food vendors, in addition to farmers, and contribute to making food more accessible and affordable to urban consumers. Yet, these informal sector actors mainly rely on their own resources and capital and have very little policy support for strengthening their enterprises and ensuring quality, such as support for access to market intelligence, transport and logistics, cold chains or waste reuse facilities (Tefft et al., 2017). In fact, in the absence of specific food system planning, the sale and consumption of highly processed foods is growing in most urban centres, while local commerce offering healthy, fresh food at affordable prices, and often in smaller quantities, is neglected, contributing to the so-called “food deserts”. These trends typically have negative impacts on food security and nutrition (Peyton, Moseley and Battersby, 2015; Battersby, 2017; Acharya et al., 2020).
This policy incoherence insists on a general lack of coordination between policies and actors concerned with food security, agriculture, environment, etc., and urban planning, and it is exacerbated by the general dearth of city-level data, analyses and empirical evidence to inform decision-making on urban and peri-urban food policy. As such, it is difficult for policymakers to plan, prioritize, design and track urban and peri-urban food system interventions and ensure coherence across policies and sectors. Furthermore, governments and other organs like famine early warning systems (FEWS) have also not been as good at monitoring food insecurity in urban areas as they have been in rural areas, beyond very basic indicators such as food prices (Moseley, 2001; Krishnamurthy, Choularton and Kareiva, 2020).
Cities can play a vital role in shaping food system policies to bolster their resilience in several ways. They can source locally or regeneratively grown food where appropriate, facilitate sustainable urban and peri-urban production of nutritious food, avoid food waste by strengthening investments in circular bio-economy (broadly defined as an economy based on the sustainable use, re-use and regeneration of natural resources), build inclusive food markets by investing in infrastructure for smaller scale traders and retailers to market healthier food products. They can also play a role in promoting resilience by mitigating and adapting against the adverse impacts of climate change (HLPE, 2020; Heck and Alonso, 2021).
Urban and peri-urban agriculture is an important option with potentially positive impacts on dietary diversity, the quality of city spaces, and community action and empowerment. Yet, in most cities, especially in the Global South, there is little state support for urban and peri-urban agriculture. Instead, current regulations in cities and the rising market value of peri-urban land limit opportunities for local production. A recent FAO survey indicates that municipal governments play an enormous role in identifying and connecting food system actors to foster innovative community-based initiatives to support food security and nutrition (FAO, 2020). In the face of the dramatic consequences of the pandemic, for example, home gardens provided nutritious and healthy food supplements and ecosystem services (Lal, 2020). Local markets multiplied, as did initiatives by family producers for home delivery of baskets of fresh food and initiatives for food donations to low-income communities. Many people in urban areas, especially new migrants, undocumented people and informal workers, were forced to go to food banks and charities, with great harm to their dignity and agency (Rao et al., 2020). These experiences point to the importance and potential of the territorial dimension of food systems for the realization of the human right to food (Recine et al., 2021).
Given the social and economic significance of urban areas, it is imperative to address the challenges of urbanization in relation to rural transformation to “build back better” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and disruptions to supply chains caused by the war in Ukraine, internal conflicts and natural disasters. It is vital that policies address poverty and inequality, build resilience and social inclusion and foster sustainable livelihoods. The specific needs of diverse rural and urban contexts, the difference between different types of urban areas (e.g. megacities and towns in largely rural areas) and the linkages between them in the rural-urban continuum, should be considered in formulating food policies. The New Urban Agenda, for example, calls for the integration of food and nutrition security into urban and territorial planning (UN Habitat, 2016). The report could also explore the specific issues concerning food security and nutrition that cities face in situations of conflicts, natural disasters and other crises, especially where there is dependence on imported food and vulnerability to price volatility.
A more in-depth analysis of food systems is needed in the context of urbanization and rural transformation to ensure that the right to food and nutrition security, in all its six dimensions (HLPE, 2020), are met. In particular, the report could investigate the potential of territorial and informal markets, the circular economy, and shorter supply chains to strengthen the linkages between urban and peri-urban food production and consumption. The role of food environments in urban areas is particularly important, considering the coexistence of organized distribution (supermarkets) with territorial and informal markets, and the adverse impacts of supermarketization pushing out small and/or informal food retail outlets (Peyton et al. 2015). As such, parts of cities, often the poorest, have become ‘food deserts’ for fresh and healthy produce, thus affecting city diets, which are already characterised by increasing prioritization of processed and convenience food. In addition, urban centres, and especially informal settlement areas, are often characterized by lack of basic infrastructure such as access to potable water and sewages. Specific attention to water and sanitation needs is thus required in relation to food utilization in urban and peri-urban areas.
At the same time, urban and peri-urban areas are home to interesting innovations for food production, processing and distribution, such as vertical gardens, ethical purchasing groups and marketing innovations, which could be replicated in other contexts. To strengthen the role of urban and peri-urban food systems, it is essential to reflect on the architecture of food security and nutrition governance, and especially on how city councils, urban planning experts and other partners can engage with actors that are traditionally involved in food systems and food security and nutrition policies to enhance synergies. Some of the policy measures that have been recommended in recent years to enhance the role of urban and peri-urban food systems concern the promotion of equitable access to land and productive agricultural resources for small-scale producers. They also include investment in rural and urban infrastructure, the development of territorial markets and short supply chains, prioritizing people living in poverty in cities and rural areas to access nutritious food and healthier living conditions, and anticipating the inter-connected future of urbanization and rural transformation (HLPE, 2020; Heck and Alonso, 2021).
Building on the outcomes of the CFS Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) on Urbanization, rural transformation and implications for food security and nutrition (CFS 2017/44/6 and CFS 2016/43/11), recent literature and policy debates, the report will explore these issues and formulate policy recommendations to the attention of the CFS.
QUESTIONS TO GUIDE THE E-CONSULTATION ON THE SCOPE OF THE HLPE-FSN REPORT
The HLPE-FSN is seeking your feedback on the proposed scope of the report “Strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems to achieve food security and nutrition in the context of urbanization and rural transformation”, in particular, you are invited to:
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A |
Share your comments on the objectives and proposed content of this report as outlined above. Do you find the proposed scope comprehensive to analyze and discuss the key issues concerning the role of urban and peri-urban food systems in achieving food security and nutrition? Are there any major gaps or omissions? |
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B |
Share good practices and successful experiences on strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems in the context of urbanization and rural transformation, including in the case of emergencies or conflicts. |
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C |
Share recent literature, case studies and data that could help answer the following questions: 1. What are the main bottlenecks hampering the contribution of urban and peri-urban food systems to food security and nutrition? 2. How can urban and peri-urban food systems be transformed and made more equitable and accessible both for food system actors and in terms of food security and nutrition outcomes? 3. How can urban food supply chains, formal and informal, local and global, be made more resilient to ensure food security and nutrition within urban settings? 4. What changes are needed in urban planning to better support all dimensions of food security – including support for human rights, agency and sustainability? Which are some of the measures that can strengthen the agency of local actors in urban and peri-urban food systems? 5. How can national and municipal governments strengthen the potential for low-carbon, inclusive, relatively self-sufficient and resilient cities and towns to drive improved food security and nutrition in the wake of climate change and other crises? 6. What are the most appropriate policies (and gaps in existing policies) along the rural-urban continuum to address issues of land tenure, urban expansion into farmland and the growing competition for natural resources? 7. How can urban and peri-urban food systems ensure that food and nutrition needs of specific groups of people, such as migrants, the internally-displaced, children, adolescent, etc., are met? 8. What are the potential benefits and challenges of territorial markets for strengthening food security and nutrition for urban populations? 9. In what ways can the incorporation of climate resilient agricultural and circular economy practices in urban and peri-urban agriculture provide climate co-benefits for all and enhance climate resilience? 10. How can citizens be engaged and empowered to drive inclusive, transparent, participatory processes for urban transformations, ensuring synergies and complementarity with city councils? 11. Which experiences of urban communities to increase access to fresh food and healthy diets can inspire broader public policies? |
The results of this consultation will be used by the HLPE-FSN to elaborate the report, which will then be made public in its V0 draft for e-consultation, and later submitted to peer review, before finalization and approval by the HLPE-FSN drafting team and the Steering Committee.
We thank in advance all the contributors for reading, commenting and providing inputs on the scope of this HLPE-FSN report. The comments are accepted in English, French and Spanish languages.
The HLPE-FSN looks forward to a rich consultation!
Évariste Nicolétis, HLPE-FSN Coordinator
Paola Termine, HLPE-FSN Programme Officer
References
Acharya, G. Cassou, E. Jaffee, S., Ludher, E.K. 2020. RICH Food, Smart City: How Building Reliable, Inclusive, Competitive, and Healthy Food Systems is Smart Policy for Urban Asia. Washington, DC, World Bank. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/35137
Battersby, J. 2017. Food system transformation in the absence of food system planning: the case of supermarket and shopping mall retail expansion in Cape Town, South Africa. Built Environment, 43(3): 417-430.
FAO. 2020. Cities and local governments at the forefront in building inclusive and resilient food systems: Key results from the FAO Survey “Urban Food Systems and COVID-19”, Revised version. Rome.
Heck, S. & Alonso, S. 2021. Resilient Cities Through Sustainable Urban and Peri-Urban Agrifood Systems. Montpellier, France, CGIAR. Resilient-Cities.pdf (storage.googleapis.com)
HLPE. 2020. Food security and nutrition: building a global narrative towards 2030. A report by the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition of the Committee on World Food Security. Rome. http://www.fao.org/3/ca9731en/ca9731en.pdf
Krishnamurthy, P. K., Choularton, R. J., & Kareiva, P. 2020. Dealing with uncertainty in famine predictions: How complex events affect food security early warning skill in the Greater Horn of Africa. Global Food Security, 26: 100374.
Lal, R. 2020. Home gardening and urban agriculture for advancing food and nutritional security in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Food Security, 12: 871-876. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12571-020-01058-3
Langemeyer, J., Madrid-López, C., Mendoza Beltrán, A. & Villalba Mendez, G. 2021. Urban agriculture — A necessary pathway towards urban resilience and global sustainability? Landscape and Urban Planning, 210: 104055. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204621000189
Moseley, W. G. 2001. Monitoring urban food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. African Geographical Review, 21(1): 81-90.
Pelling, M., Chow, W. T. L., Chu, E., Dawson, R., Dodman, D., Fraser, A., Hayward, B. et al. 2021. A climate resilience research renewal agenda: learning lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic for urban climate resilience. Climate and Development, 0(0): 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2021.1956411
Peyton, S., Moseley, W. & Battersby, J. 2015. Implications of supermarket expansion on urban food security in Cape Town, South Africa. African Geographical Review, 34(1): 36-54.
Rao, N., Narain, N., Chakraborty, S., Bhanjdeo, A. & Pattnaik, A. 2020. Destinations Matter: Social Policy and Migrant Workers in the Times of Covid. The European Journal of Development Research, 32(5): 1639–1661. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7590571/
Recine, E., Preiss, P.V., Valencia, M. et al. 2021. The Indispensable Territorial Dimension of Food Supply: A View from Brazil During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Development, 64: 282–287. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41301-021-00308-x
Rede Brasileira de Pesquisa em Soberania e Segurança Alimentar (Rede PENSSAN). 2021. VIGISAN National Survey of Food Insecurity in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Brazil https://olheparaafome.com.br/VIGISAN_AF_National_Survey_of_Food_Insecurity.pdf
Tefft, J., Jonasova, M., Adjao, R. & Morgan, A. 2017. Food systems for an urbanizing world. Washington DC, World Bank and Rome, FAO.
UNDESA (UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs). 2018. 2018 Revision of World Urbanization Prospects. New York. Cited June 2022. https://desapublications.un.org/file/615/download
UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme). 2016. The New Urban Agenda. Nairobi. https://habitat3.org/wp-content/uploads/NUA-English.pdf
- Read 96 contributions
Very Informative Study. I reflected to share the issues related to Shivalik region in Uttarakhand India with attached file.
Thanks
Seems like the one area that is not mentioned or is buried is how do we engage with the private sector to improve food systems. This is critical for sustainability and scale.
El artículo aborda algunos de los temas centrales de los sistemas de abastecimiento de alimentos a las grandes ciudades. Desde mi punto de vista hay cuatro temas claves a considerar:
Como señala esta introducción muchas veces el acceso a los alimentos se apoya sobre redes informales de abastecimiento. Esto trae aparejado opacidad de información, falta de comprensión de las políticas que muchas veces contribuyen a empujarlas más hacia los márgenes normativos y espaciales. Sesgo en los medios, políticas y bibliografía especializada que la asocia con la ilegalidad. Sobre bibliografía que trabaja casos de América Latina y Argentina:
- Grenoville. S; Bruno, M. y Radeljak, F. (2022). Informalidad en los mercados mayoristas frutihortícolas del Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires: el caso de la colectividad boliviana de Escobar, en Agronomía & Ambiente , 42 (2) 31-44
- Bruno, M.; Radeljak, F.; Cittadini, E. y Grenoville. S (2022). Los mercados mayoristas frutihortícolas del Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires: caracterización y análisis desde el concepto de soberanía alimentaria. Párrafos Geográficos, 21 (1)
El segundo aspecto central se relaciona con una gobernanza alimentaria desarticulada. En grandes núcleos urbanos suelen intervenir distintas jurisdicciones (gobiernos nacionales, provinciales y municipales o departamentales) que muchas veces compiten por los recursos, o se solapan en las acciones. Mientras las decisiones sobre habilitaciones las toma el gobierno local, la responsabilidad sobre comercialización, calidad e inocuidad reacaen en organismos nacionales. La falta de coordinación dificulta la planificación y el ordenamiento territorial. Sobre bibliografía sobre esta problemática se sugiere:
- Grenoville, S.; Le Gall, J; Noel, J. (2021), Retos para la justicia y soberanía alimentaria en las Américas desde la comercialización de alimentos locales y la agricultura familiar, en Distribución, comercialización y acceso a alimentos de calidad en América Latina, Buenos Aires, Ediciones INTA, 22 pg., ISBN 978-987-8333-77-9 (digital)
- Pérez Martín, J. y Barsky, A. (2021). La planificación del abastecimiento alimentario a la gran ciudad: Marchas y contramarchas del Mercado Central de Buenos Aires (1960-2019). Mundo Agrario, 22(50), e172. https://doi.org/10.24215/15155994e172
El tercer aspecto clave a abordar en una política integral se refiere a las pérdidas y desperdicios de alimentos. Cadenas de abastecimiento excesivamente largas implican mayores riesgos de pérdidas y desperdicios de alimentos que en definitiva impactan en los eslabones más débiles: típicamente los productores por pérdida de rentabilidad y en los consumidores por aumento de los precios y consecuentemente inseguridad alimentaria.
- Bruno, M.; Cittadini, E., y Grenoville, S. (2023). Dinámica de la generación de residuos sólidos y desperdicio de alimentos en los mercados concentradores de frutas y verduras del Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires (AMBA): el caso del Mercado de Pilar. Siembra, 10(1), e4201. https://doi.org/10.29166/siembra.v10i1.4201
- Bruno, M.; Grenoville, S. y Cittadini, E. (2020), Conceptos y estrategias de gestión de los residuos sólidos orgánicos en los mercados frutihortícolas, en Horticultura Argentina 39 (99): May. - Ago. 2020. ISSN de la edición on line 1851-9342, Recibido: 07/02/2020 Aceptado: 03/08/20
Por último y en concordancia con la introducción propuesta considero que queda un largo camino por recorrer en el fortalecimiento y multiplicación de canales complementarios de comercialización con sentido inclusivo y equitativo en el acceso que privilegien la seguridad alimentaria. Herramientas de fortalecimiento de canales complementarios que están llamadas a jugar un rol central son las compras públicas, huertas urbanas, multiplicación de los espacios de comercialización de alimentos frescos y de calidad, apertura de espacios de comercialización en barrios vulnerables. El estado necesita abastecerse y abastececer múltiples instituciones que alimentan a la población (hospitales, escuelas, seguridad social, comedores comunitarios) esto implica una herramienta de desarrollo de capacidades muy potente que tiene que ser utilizado con un sentido redistributivo, inclusivo y equitativo. Análisis de casos de distintas experiencias de américa latina se abordan en la siguiente compilación:
- Grenoville, S.; Le Gall, J; Noel, J. (2021), Distribución, comercialización y acceso a alimentos de calidad en América Latina, Buenos Aires, Ediciones INTA, 178 pg., ISBN 978-987-8333-77-9 (digital)
Muy interesante el artículo y felicitaciones por la iniciativa. Es un aporte muy necesario.
Prof. Allah Ditta
I would like to comment to the "In what ways can the incorporation of climate-resilient agricultural and circular economy practices in urban and peri-urban agriculture provide climate co-benefits for all and enhance climate resilience?"
We should adopt the integrated use of organic, inorganic, and biofertilizers which will reduce farmers' dependence on sole chemical fertilizers and culminate emissions from their production. The integrated use has been found successful in ameliorating the stresses caused by different climate change calamities like drought, salt, and heavy metals. Moreover, we can focus on the production of bio-organic fertilizers which not only enhance the productivity of crops through enhanced availability of nutrients but also contribute to cutting the use of chemical fertilizers. For further information, please consult my following papers:
http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/62473;
Évariste Nicolétis, who is the co-facilitator of this consultation and the Coordinator of the HLPE-FSN Secretariat, welcomes your suggestions:
The HLPE-FSN is working to address the many issues facing both policymakers and food and nutrition practitioners alike, and your valuable insights are fundamental in our working process, to ensure legitimacy and scientific quality. Likewise, we look for the incorporation of diverse forms of knowledge and expertise, to make sure that global policymaking for food security and nutrition is based not only upon science but also to diverse forms of knowledge.
In addition to the suggestions mentioned in the consultation and the comments, it would be pertinent to address food safety concerns, specifically, those arising from sanitation crises, particularly in low-resource settings.
In numerous urban centres, farmers operating in urban and peri-urban areas resort to using contaminated water to irrigate perishable vegetables, especially leafy greens, that are consumed raw. While urban and peri-urban farming provides many benefits, urbanisation and climate change exacerbate the pollution of urban water resources. The consumption of raw contaminated food is a major threat to public health (https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0234364)
Promoting and supporting the implementation of food safety and hygiene practices across food systems can help address this issue, but it intersects with several of the issues raised in other contributions, such as governance, urban planning, and land tenure insecurity (https://doi.org/10.3390/w14060864).
Livestock water productivity is a critical aspect of contributing to the urban and per-urban food market, yet water for animal production comes as after-thoughts in the development planning in some countries. The Savannah areas are the best livestock production areas, yet naturally suffer water stress due partly to high evaporative demand. Considering the competing needs for water in the dryland areas (domestic, crop, livestock), the tendency is to put livestock water at the bottom of the list. Meat and other animal products as milk, contribute largely to the household nutrition. This could only function well if there is the deliberate provision of water for animal production.
This concept note has fundamental principles that helps in the management of crises affecting the food systems in urban and peri-urban. It's therefore noted that the objectives observed herein should intend to inform, structure and sensitise the general public on popularising the increase of food production initiatives so as to achieve SDGs 2030 Agenda.
Mr. KIPLANGAT Peter
Former UN Fellow & Executive Director
Ecosystem Social Economic Development Organisation
A. Do you find the proposed scope comprehensive to analyze and discuss the key issues concerning the role of urban and peri-urban food systems in achieving food security and nutrition? Are there any major gaps or omissions?
The Food Foundation is an independent think tank working to address challenges in the food system in the interests of the UK public. We believe major food transformations to the food system are needed to ensure we have a just and sustainable food system that can deliver healthy diets for all. We are policy entrepreneurs who provide innovative and creative ways to generate demand for new and better public and private sector policy and practice. We also provide clear analysis of the problems caused by the food system and the role of policy and practice in addressing these.
The current report scope provides an extensive overview of the challenges faced by urban and peri-urban food systems, emphasizing the importance of addressing food security, nutrition, and sustainable development in urban contexts. The analysis also considers the role of informal markets, and innovations in addressing these challenges. However, there are a few areas where the report could be expanded to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand:
Governance and Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: The report could further elaborate on the importance of governance and multi-stakeholder collaboration in achieving food security and nutrition in urban and peri-urban areas. This includes discussing the role of local and national governments and private sector retailers and food businesses but also investigates importance of national and international food system learning exchanges and alliances facilitated through the civil society organizations and anchor institutions.
Public Health and Nutrition Education: The report could explore the role of public health policy and nutrition education in promoting healthy food choices, especially in the context of urban food environments. This includes the need for targeted interventions in schools, workplaces, and communities, as well as the role of public policies, such as food labelling and advertising regulations.
Incorporating diverse perspectives: The report could delve into the roles of citizens whose voices are seldom heard. This could include experience of children and young people of different ages, multi-generational migrant communities, older people living at home and in sheltered accommodation, people with mental health and physical conditions, LGBTQ+ individuals and vulnerably housed/homeless people. Incorporating these perspectives will ensure that policies are inclusive and targeted to specific groups.
Financing Mechanisms: Finally, the report could consider the role of innovative financing mechanisms in supporting urban and peri-urban food systems. This may involve analysing public and private investment options, as well as discussing the potential for blended finance models, impact investing, and other financial tools that can mobilize resources for food security and nutrition initiatives.
B. Share good practices and successful experiences on strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems in the context of urbanization and rural transformation, including in the case of emergencies or conflicts.
Food Foundation’s initiative Food Cities 2022 was a comprehensive program that brought together local and national governments, private sector entities, civil society organizations, and community members to address food security, nutrition, and sustainable development challenges in urban and peri-urban settings. As such it is as an example of a successful initiative that demonstrates the potential for positive impact through multi-sectoral collaboration, innovative approaches, and a strong focus on local context.
Some key elements of the Food Cities 2022 initiative that could be highlighted in the report include:
- Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: Food Cities 2022 exemplified the importance of engaging various stakeholders in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of food security and nutrition interventions. The initiative facilitated collaboration between actors from different sectors, fostering synergies and ensuring that diverse perspectives and expertise were harnessed to achieve common goals.
- Localization of the Global Agenda: Food Cities 2022 demonstrated how global frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, can be translated into concrete actions at the local level. The initiative supported the development of context-specific strategies and policies that addressed the unique challenges and opportunities faced by participating cities, ensuring that global goals were tailored to local realities.
- Capacity Building and Knowledge Exchange: Food Cities 2022 placed a strong emphasis on building the capacities of local stakeholders and facilitating knowledge exchange between cities. The initiative provided training, resources, and technical assistance to support the design and implementation of effective food security and nutrition interventions, while also creating opportunities for cities to learn from one another's experiences and best practices.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Food Cities 2022 incorporated standardised monitoring and evaluation mechanisms through online survey to assess cities needs and to track their progress since joining. This allowed for more streamlined impact reporting and to support funding applications.
BINDI: A “Food Smart City” initiative and learning partnership
The Food Foundation also facilitated a learning partnership between Birmingham, UK and Pune, India which involved the development of policies and practices as part of a “Food Smart City” initiative. Our definition of a ‘'Nutrition Smart City'' is one that uses data and technology to change the way that food is produced, processed, distributed and consumed. It considers food quality and equitable access, disrupting food systems that are not sustainable or that contribute to food insecurity and malnutrition.
Learnings from the initiative have been captured in two reports:
BINDI - Lessons Learnt 1 - 2019
BINDI - Lessons Learnt 2 - 2021
We also produced a Case Study Report of other smart food and nutrition initiatives which have taken place elsewhere to inspire the local authorities in Birmingham and Pune.
We hope that these suggestions will be valuable in refining the report's scope to provide a comprehensive analysis of the key issues concerning urban and peri-urban food systems. We look forward to further engaging with the consultation process.
This activity is now closed. Please contact [email protected] for any further information.