CITIES CAN TRIGGER A SHIFT TO A BETTER FOOD SYSTEM

Cities have a unique opportunity to spark a transformation towards a circular economy for food, given that 80% of all food is expected to be consumed in cities by 2050. The report focuses on the ability of urban food actors to catalyse this change by getting more value out of their food, and substantially influencing which food is produced and how. The ambitions presented are intended to complement the range of valuable ongoing initiatives that together aim to shift the food system onto a better trajectory. Work conducted with four focus cities (Brussels, Belgium; Guelph, Canada; Porto, Portugal; São Paulo, Brazil) during the development of the report suggests cities have a major opportunity to apply these ambitions, regardless of their unique physical, demographic, and socio-economic profiles. By shifting towards a circular economy for food, cities can help realise the vision and generate significant environmental, economic, and health benefits within and beyond their boundaries.