Cities are powerful drivers of food system transformation, yet their role is often underestimated. Urban authorities can make food healthier, more sustainable, and fairer. From local markets to public food services like school meals, cities can lead the development of resilient food systems benefiting both urban and rural areas.

To strengthen this role at the European level, the Urban Agenda for the EU – Food Partnership (coordinated by the City of Milan and Lisbon Metropolitan Area) has released a Policy Statement calling for stronger and more structured involvement of cities in EU food policymaking.

Check out the new food policy statement!

The statement identifies eight key priorities for action:

1. Include Food as a Priority in the EU Agenda for Cities 
   Make urban food systems a core component of EU and city-level policy planning.
2. Promote Multilevel Governance by Including Cities and Regions in EU Food Policy Making 
   Ensure cities and regions are actively included in EU food policy making so that local perspectives shape European decisions.
3. Strengthen Public Food Procurement 
   Support cities in unlocking the potential of sustainable, healthy, and locally sourced food procurement.
4. Guarantee Universal Access to Healthy and Sustainable School Meals 
   Ensure every child has access to nutritious, affordable, and sustainable meals.
5. Support the Development of Urban Food Strategies 
   Reinforce cities’ capacity to design and implement integrated local food strategies.
6. Adopt EU Food Indicators for Cities 
   Provide a framework to measure progress and impact through clear, harmonised, and comparable indicators.
7. Unlock the Benefits of Public Land  
   Enable cities to use public land strategically to support young farmers, foster generational renewal, and promote sustainable and organic farming practices that deliver healthy, climate-friendly food.
8. Support the Reduction and Recovery of Food Waste
   Provide dedicated technical and financial support to empower cities to implement effective, scalable, and measurable solutions for food waste reduction and recovery. 

Cities already demonstrate leadership through networks such as the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact, Eurocities’ Working Group on Food, and ICLEI, showcasing innovation, collaboration, and tangible impacts on health, local economies, and the environment.

European policymakers are urged to recognise this potential and to fully integrate cities into EU food policy frameworks. Local authorities should actively contribute to upcoming EU Food Dialogues, ensuring urban perspectives shape sustainable, fair, and resilient food systems.

How can you contribute to this advocacy action?

• Disseminating the Food Policy Statement within your networks
• Engaging with policymakers and stakeholders at local, national, and EU levels
• Contacting the Food Partnership to explore how you can support specific actions and initiatives

Together, we can empower cities to shape Europe’s food future!

Stay tuned to the Food Thematic Partnership webpage for updates