How can a city influence the food system? The first step is to understand how the food system operates and how the different elements are interconnected. The second is to understand the strengths and vulnerabilities in relation to food system sustainability and longer-term resilience. This article looks at how Bristol is exploring these challenges and how it is attempting to both inform and involve citizens and city decision makers by providing a holistic framework from which to develop a resilient food plan. At the heart of this challenge is finding effective mechanisms to bring together the right stakeholders to plan and implement change.