European Week of Regions and Cities: Making Farm to Fork Strategies Work

What synergies are possible between the EU Farm to Fork Strategy and the FAO Framework for the Urban Food Agenda? This question was answered during the ICLEI Breakfast at Sustainability’s event in the framework of the European Week of Regions and Cities. The session, called “Making Farm to Fork strategies work,” was organized in partnership with the Committee of the Region’s Commission for Natural Resources and FAO.  

In his opening remarks, Franc Bogovic, Member of the European Parliament and the European Parliamentary Alliance against Hunger and Malnutrition underlined the role of cities in finding innovative solutions to achieve short supply chains and sustainable initiatives, such as rooftop and school gardens. “Innovation is key in transforming urban food systems” he said. 

Jamie Morrison, FAO Director for Food Systems and Food Safety, further complemented  Mr Bogovic remarks, elaborating on the importance and potential of cities and their urban food systems, that are key for the food system transformation. He pointed out that nearly 70 percent of all food produced is consumed in urban areas, thus aiming to change consumer behaviour and public food procurement on a city level can play a significant role in determining food production patterns. He also outlined a variety of similarities between the EU Farm to Fork Strategy and the FAO Framework for the Urban Food Agenda such as the mutual goal of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and interlinkages at various levels of government and food systems actors. “Both strategies will be fundamental for national food system transformation,” he stressed. 

The event was moderated by Peter Defranceschi, Head of the ICLEI Brussels Office and other speakers, included Arno Kompatscher and Ulrika Landergren, Members of the European Committee of the Regions; Irène Tolleret, Member of the European Parliament, and Thomas Mosor, Programme Manager at Ecobuy Vienna. The recording is available here.  

Further information on FAO’s work on urban food systems is available here.