Recognising that food policies intersect with various other policies—such as climate, social ambitions, education, or labour—cities are creating comprehensive food strategies that address the entire food system. Eurocities members are dedicated to developing food systems that are healthy , equitable, resilient, and inclusive, integrating urban food policy considerations into broader social, economic, and environmental policies.

While cities working on improving their food systems can contribute to fighting against climate change, urban food supply also suffers from the effects of climate change. In the Eurocities Pulse Mayors Survey, close to 30% of mayors highlighted issues such as access to water and the effects of extreme heat as their number one challenge overall in 2023. In 2022, 10% of Italian crops were lost due to extreme weather events. The Ecologic Institute foresees that the frequency and magnitude of such extreme events will continue to rise, estimating the number of heatwave days to increase by up to thirty times more in warmer climates by the end of the century, with dire impact on food production.

“It’s a pity that food isn’t part of the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities because food is part of climate,” says David Dessers, Deputy Mayor of Agriculture and Consumption, Climate & Sustainability and Mobility in Leuven. To promote meaningful change, however, all actors in the food system need to be involved in policymaking, ensuring that initiatives are well-coordinated and widely supported.

The conversation around food systems is complex, particularly in light of recent farmer protests demanding fair incomes for farmers and highlighting the need for increased support to transition toward biodiversity-friendly farming. There is a pressing need for a unified food policy that promotes collaboration rather than competition to effectively reform food systems. The new European mandate faces the challenge of upholding the initial aim of the Farm to Fork Strategy, to include all players in the food system, from farmers to consumers, in finding collective solutions, and to fight against efforts from those groups suggesting an incompatibility between agriculture and biodiversity.

“It’s crucial to maintain high ambitions concerning food sustainability, with cities playing a significant role in fostering greener, healthier, and more inclusive food systems,” says André Sobczak, Secretary General of Eurocities.

During the previous EU term, Eurocities member cities advocated for a comprehensive EU food policy that would acknowledge and support local food policies. There was considerable hope that the European Commission would integrate urban food policies into a broader European context through the Sustainable Food Systems Framework Law. However, last Autumn, this initiative took a step back when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen removed this and other related legislation from the 2024 Work Programme and instead called for a Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture.

Cities, as highlighted by the Eurocities European elections manifesto, are now urging the next European mandate to focus on ensuring fair access to affordable and healthy food, encouraging sustainable food practices, and fostering collaboration among all key stakeholders in the food system.

The initial Farm to Fork strategy was groundbreaking in its approach to address the entire food value chain holistically, aiming to solve interconnected sustainability, health, and social crises. Nevertheless, this strategy has faced substantial obstacles, with some key legislation being delayed or scrapped due to opposition from certain stakeholder groups and political factions.

“It is clear that cities’ expectations are very high for the next European work programme: more structural funding, more policy coherence, and a seat at the decision-making table,” insists Madeleine Coste, Head of Food at Eurocities. “We need to ask the difficult questions about which agri-food model do we want to pursue, a question which cities are uniquely placed to answer because they have ‘their boots in the ground’.”

Local governments are calling for increased financial support and a greater role in policy design at both national and EU levels, including the Common Agriculture Policy and future food-related initiatives. The proposed Sustainable Food Systems Framework Law, though currently stalled, is vital as it seeks to ensure that local level measures are supported by national and EU strategies, creating a more coherent and effective policy landscape.

In the past year, Eurocities member cities have made their mark at the EU level contributing significantly to revising the legislative framework for sustainable food systems. Eurocities has also played a crucial role in shaping the new European Commission Urban Agenda Food Partnership, a significant step towards positioning cities as leaders on food-related issues at the European level. In March 2024, Eurocities moderated a session on local food strategies at the Open Food Conference under the patronage of the Belgian Presidency, underlining cities’ leadership in transforming food systems and reiterating the need for a European framework for sustainable food systems, structural funding, and more coherent policies at all levels.

In Autumn 2023, the EU Waste Framework Directive established mandatory targets for food waste reduction. Although these targets were seen as a positive step by local leaders, many Eurocities member cities were pushing for even more ambitious targets—specifically, a 50% reduction in edible food waste by 2030, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals.

These results were also possible thanks to the collaboration with the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP). Together with Eurocities, the MUFPP has connected cities across Europe, fostering the exchange of ideas and best practices addressing urban food challenges. This partnership has been instrumental in building a wealth of knowledge on systemic approaches to food challenges, which was showcased during the capacity-building activities and peer-to-peer exchanges facilitated by the EU-funded project Food Trails. For example, 27 cites participated in the project’s cascade visits and many more are joining the ongoing webinar series to learn, exchange ideas and transfer some of the solutions home. Lessons learnt by facilitating previous knowledge-sharing activities will also be used in the upcoming Cleverfood project peer-learning activities.

Eurocities also continues to support cities in defining clear targets, exchanging experiences, and measuring the impact of policy actions through its Working Group on Food. These efforts align with the goals set by the European Green Deal, ensuring the development of effective and sustainable food strategies. A high-level event, under the Cleverfood project, took place in March 2024 and explored the need for transformative innovation based on an inclusive systemic approach to ensure a just transition that is fair for everyone and enables a good life for all within planetary boundaries. This systemic approach to food implies the fundamental role of cities, living labs, communities of practice, and other co-creation initiatives bringing together innovators and other relevant stakeholders from rural and urban communities. Multilevel governance is also crucial for sustainable food innovation.

In recent years, Eurocities member cities have taken a leading role in fostering sustainable and collaborative food system strategies throughout Europe, exemplifying innovation and proactive governance in urban food policy.

For example, Grenoble-Alpes-Metropole, a Food Trails project partner and Lyon Metropole are forging stronger urban-rural linkages. Grenoble’s agriculture strategy (2015-2020) stands out because its partnerships do not take administrative limits into account but are based on a coherent perimeter integrating the whole local food chain. As a result, it has helped preserve agricultural lands by supporting local producers and developing cooperative grocery shops focused on local food. Meanwhile, Lyon Metropole is shortening its supply chains by re-localising food production, thereby making fresh produce more accessible to city residents.

Urban farming is a key strategy for sustainable urban development. In this light, Birmingham is converting an underused car park into a vibrant urban farm. Similarly, in Groningen and Thessaloniki, urban farms aim to reconnect people with food production while promoting healthier eating habits. Leuven has taken a slightly different approach by allocating substantial land for new sustainable agricultural projects and facilitating direct connections between farmers and the market through a Business-to-Business online platform. Pau’s Green Belt initiative helps create new small farms in the area to boost local production. The model is based on cooperatives, which buy and maintain the plots making urban farming more accessible to interested individuals. The city supports the cooperatives with getting the farm , technical help, and access to sale and retail. By lowering barriers to entry, Pau has successfully encouraged more residents to engage in local food production.

Since 2021, Aix-Marseille-Provence’s incubator programme has gathered over 53 entrepreneurs interested in creating economic activities related to food systems such as urban farming projects. The programme offers bespoke support, courses and access to multiple public and private cooperation networks, further highlighting the growing trend towards integrating agriculture within urban settings.

Some cities have established Food Policy Councils to guide their food strategies as a way to facilitate citizens’ participation in the development and implementation of food initiatives and policies. Bordeaux Metropole was a pioneer in this respect, creating the first council in France with a holistic strategy that encompasses everything from protecting agricultural land to food accessibility. Inspired by Bordeaux, Grenoble has formed its own council, bringing together various stakeholders to craft comprehensive food policies. In Scotland, the Glasgow City Food Plan involved over 600 contributors, focusing on actions such as addressing food and child poverty and fostering sustainability education among hospitality students. Thessaloniki has developed its food council as part of the activities implemented within the Food Trails project.

Copenhagen and Dortmund are leading by example in sustainable procurement practices. Copenhagen’s dynamic purchasing system includes smaller farmers in food procurement, significantly leaning towards organic produce in public kitchens. Dortmund’s initiatives similarly promote climate-friendly and healthy eating within municipal institutions, aiming to increase the share of organic and regional foods through public procurement.

Educational outreach forms a critical component of sustainable food system strategies. Osmangazi’s Ecological Life Center and School to Farm project, along with similar initiatives in Dortmund and Cagliari , are engaging children and families in environmental farming, urban gardening, and sustainable food practices. These programmes not only teach practical skills but also aim to instil long-lasting values and habits that support sustainable development. For example, Food Trails partner cities Funchal and Groningen are focusing on promoting plant-based diets and teaching recipes using beans and legumes.

Efficient management of food waste is also a priority. Milan focuses on recovering and upcycling food waste, while Ghent has successfully redistributed thousands of tonnes of surplus food to lower-income populations. Cagliari ’s Smart Food Strategic Plan embeds waste management and reuse policies into its broader strategy to create a circular economy. And Warsaw ran an in-depth report about food waste in restaurants analysing the food flow from food reception to end product, identifying a list of drivers and factors that impact food waste to know exactly where to take action.

These examples from Eurocities members demonstrate a strong commitment to developing sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food systems. By integrating various aspects of food production, procurement, education, and waste management, these cities are setting benchmarks for others across Europe and globally, showcasing the potential of urban areas to lead the way in sustainable food system transformation.

“There’s absolutely no question that cities have an enormous role to play in helping to make a better, stronger food system. And they should be empowered to play this role.” Corinna Hawkes, Director for food systems at FAO

Eurocities members advocate for a collaborative approach between the EU and cities to address the complexities of our food system. The future EU mandate presents an opportunity to elevate urban food policies. By involving cities in policymaking, the EU can effectively support ambitious food policies, reinforce urban governance, and enhance skills and innovation capacity to tackle urban challenges collectively.