In this article we refer to objectives that jointly aimed to provide an approach to assess and plan city-driven food systems. Consultation with local governments made it clear that a tool for evidence generation and analysis was needed to support their food systems decision-making process. The New Urban Agenda (NUA) is a global reminder that sustainable food system planning is fundamental if countries are to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda. Innovative urban food ideas have been discussed to facilitate implementation of the NUA (see the report of the post-Habitat III Expert Group Meeting Integrating food security and nutrition into urban and territorial planning). However, for many local authorities, dealing with food systems presents numerous challenges including: (i) understanding the prevailing food system; (ii) recognising what actions may be necessary to improve the system and the prevalent interlinkages with both rural areas and non-food systems; and (iii) instituting a mechanism to facilitate change in a manner that is inclusive and effective.