Urban food systems analysis provides local decision-makers with a holistic understanding of how food systems work: where the food comes from, how it is distributed and utilized, and where, how and for whom the systems create food (in)security and (un)healthy dietary patterns.

In line with this holistic approach, the impacts of the food system on the different dimensions of sustainability — economic, social and environmental — have to be well understood to then take informed action for increasing the resilience, sustainability, healthiness and inclusiveness of urban food systems and for improving food security and ensuring good nutrition.  Through this project, the Rapid Urban Food Systems Assessment Tool (RUFSAT) has been piloted as tool for carrying out urban food systems analysis.

RUFSAT has been developed in response to the need for a structured approach for holistic assessment of the urban food systems assessment. 

• It is a multi-disciplinary tool designed to work closely with a multi-stakeholder group including key public and private stakeholders and civil society participants to ensure ownership of the assessment and hence galvanize implementation support.
  The tool includes the following components:  i) consumer analysis; ii) Sustainable Food Value Chain Analysis; iii) Policy audit and Urban Food Systems stakeholders’ analysis; GIS Urban food systems Mapping 

• RUFSAT has been piloted in Nairobi under the FAO-NADHALI project and informed the situation analysis for development of the food system strategy. It has also been used in Kisumu and the data will also inform development of the Kisumu food system strategy.  

The RUFSAT assessment helps to implement strategies to:

• Improve food security/nutrition/health of the urban population (Social sustainability)
• Support and encourage a vibrant local economy by supporting local growers, retailers, markets, and  facilitating employment opportunities (Economic sustainability)
• Reduce negative environmental impacts arising from the urban food system (Environment Sustainability)
• Support resilient food system to shocks and extreme event (Resilient)

A food retail market environment is carried out in Nairobi using a methodology developed by FAO to map territorial markets and adapted to the local context.

In addition, a digital interactive map that incorporates background information gathered from the food retail mapping exercise will be developed and handed over to the Nairobi City County government for management and future upscaling.

1. Kisumu food systems analysis
   https://www.kisumu.go.ke/kisumu-sets-pace-in-food-policy-formulation/
   
   
2. Nairobi food retail environment analysis