The transformation of urban food systems represents one of the most critical challenges and opportunities for contemporary European cities. As concentrated hubs of consumption, metropolitan areas hold significant leverage to reshape supply chains, promote environmental sustainability, and ensure equitable access to healthy food. Resilient food governance requires moving beyond isolated local actions toward systemic infrastructure that bridges the urban-rural divide.

To address these challenges, the 13th MUFPP European Regional Forum was convened in Florence from May 20–22, 2026, under the guiding theme: “Beyond the Market Stall: Reimagining Food Markets in Cities as Key Infrastructures.”

This forum served as a high-level space for European local authorities, policymakers, and agri-food stakeholders to explore how food policy can drive innovation in urban markets. Rather than treating markets merely as commercial real estate or temporary points of exchange, the forum repositioned both retail farmers’ markets and wholesale operations as strategic, permanent public infrastructure. These hubs deliver public value by strengthening regional self-sufficiency, advancing circular economy principles, mitigating food waste, and guaranteeing social inclusion.

The event was co-organized by the MUFPP and Eurocities Working Group Food, hosted by the City of Florence, within the framework of the CLEVERFOOD project, and with the insititutional support of Food Partnership of the the Urban Agenda for the EU