What Cities Can Do

Strengthen Local Food Systems

Local governments have the power to implement policies and initiatives to expand access to nutritious food for all residents, improve public health, and strengthen local economies.

Key Ways Municipalities Can Contribute

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Key Ways Municipalities Can Contribute *

Adopt Proven Policy Frameworks

Join the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact, an international protocol focused on addressing food-related challenges at the urban level, signed by over 340 cities worldwide, including the City of Los Angeles. 

As a global agreement among mayors, the Pact serves as a practical guide for cities and includes a Framework for Action with 37 recommended actions across six categories, each with indicators to track progress.

  • Strengthen Governance

    Establish food system stakeholder councils within city government.

    Adopt procurement policies for school systems and government programs that prioritize healthy, sustainably-produced food.

  • Create Good Food Jobs & Infrastructure

    Support the development of food hubs to enable mission-driven aggregation and distribution of healthy food to public food programs, sourcing from local, small- and mid-scale farmers.

  • Support Local Food Production

    Integrate urban farms and community gardens into city planning.

    Invest in initiatives such as farm-to-school programs.

  • Improve Food Access

    Expand EBT and Market Match programs at farmers markets.

    Incentivize neighborhood stores to carry fresh produce.

  • Reduce Food Waste

    Encourage the donation of surplus food.

    Expand composting and organic waste diversion programs.

  • Empower Food Workers & Small Businesses

    Provide resources to small food entrepreneurs.

    Ensure fair labor practices for food system workers.