Strengthening local food diversity and resilience through urban–rural relationships

N.B. Partnership complete

The challenge

Across Europe, cities struggle to provide their residents with consistent access to locally grown, diverse and organic food. Entire product categories may be missing from local supply chains — making it difficult or even impossible for residents to assemble a complete diet from local sources.

Many cities are also surrounded by highly specialised agricultural landscapes dominated by a single crop, creating ecological strain and economic vulnerability. When energy prices, fertiliser costs or market conditions shift, such monocultures become a liability. Farmland can be abandoned quickly when margins disappear.

The aim of this Action Network is to demonstrate how cities, building on their local conditions and objectives and in collaboration with regional stakeholders, can help to build a robust and sustainable food system – one that works in everyday life and holds up in a crisis.

Why it matters

A vibrant local food system — where producers, processors and consumers meet directly — delivers wide-ranging benefits:

- Enhanced urban attractiveness and quality of life

- Stronger biodiversity and ecological resilience

- Improved food security in times of crisis or supply disruption

- Job opportunities for people with diverse skill sets

- Living local food cultures that become hubs for innovation and creativity

Who we are looking for

We are looking for cities and municipalities that share our ambition and are willing to commit to active collaboration. Ideal partners will have experience in one or more of the following:

- Political support to take action, e.g. through an adopted strategy, action plan or policy related to local and/or organic food systems

- Active promotion of urban-rural relationships in food production and supply

- Promotion of local organic food production and consumption

- Working with circular, wild or plant-rich foods as part of a sustainable diet

- Using public procurement as a tool to achieve sustainability and food resilience targets

- Mobilising support among decision-makers, food producers and consumers for food system change

You don't need to cover all of these areas — complementary experience across the network is a strength. We welcome cities at different stages of their food system journey.

What Södertälje brings to the partnership

Södertälje Municipality has built substantial, proven infrastructure around sustainable food systems — and as lead partner, we are ready to share this knowledge and learn alongside our European partners.

Tools and strategies

A municipal Food Supply Strategy, Farming Strategy and Meal Policy — providing a coherent policy framework.

The Matlust Development Node — a regional business support hub for food SMEs in the Stockholm region, active since 2015.

A public meals operation serving 17,000 daily portions according to the Diet for a Green Planet concept (www.dietforagreenplanet.se/en)

Innovation in practice

Innovative public procurement practices designed to source seasonal, local and organic products.

Active support for the development of under-represented food categories in our region — including pulses, vegetables and fruit.

A test bed for new and sustainable food products.