The objective of this report is to provide insights into the factors that enable the development and delivery of urban food policies and how these enablers can be harnessed and barriers overcome. By exploring a series of case studies, the report shares lessons that cities of all sizes and at all stages of food policy development — from small towns that are taking their first steps in designing food-related policy, to big cities that are striving to maintain highly-developed, integrated policies — can learn from as they work to improve their food system.

The authors explore five case studies (Brazil, Kenya, The Netherlands, Canada, and the U.S.), from small towns that are taking their first steps in designing food-related policy, to big cities that are striving to maintain highly-developed, integrated policies.

The report identifies a set of common enabling elements including (i) data, monitoring and learning; (ii) ‘vertical’ multi-level governance; (iii) ‘horizontal’ city-level governance; (iv) participatory policy process; (v) funding; and (vi) political commitment.