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Cities around the world are making strides to change their food systems and leading the way for a more sustainable future. (shuterstock)  

As the need for sustainable food systems becomes more pressing, cities around the world are revolutionizing the way they grow, acquire, transport, and sell food. From community gardens and farm-to-table restaurants, to reducing food loss and waste, new initiatives are making a difference both locally and globally. Citizens, organizations, and businesses in these cities are joining forces to make change possible and lead the way to a better food system.

Amsterdam

While Amsterdam has long been known as a sustainable food city, they’re tackling another component of their food system: transportation. Foodlogica is stepping in to provide e-tricycles to move local food from farms to shops and restaurants. The revolutionary program solves both environmental concerns and congestion issues in the city.

Austin

Austin’s Sustainable Food Center provides the community with a variety of ways to get involved in food solutions. Whether it’s growing their own food, meeting local farmers, or learning to cook seasonally and nutritiously, citizens can actively engage in creating a more sustainable food system.

Brussels

Building upon food programs like sustainable cafeterias and kitchen gardens, the city frequently puts on Taste Walks through Slow Food Brussels. These events spotlight local food and sustainable agriculture practices going on in the city.  Many local restaurants are pledging their support by featuring more sustainable food and wine on their menus.

Calgary

A “city-led, community-owned initiative,” Calgary EATS! has laid out a plan for Calgary to become a more sustainable food city. By 2036, they want to increase consumption of local food to 30 percent, have 100 percent of the city’s food supply be a product of sustainable practices, and bring urban food production up to 5 percent. These targets were set based on feedback from Calgary citizens who saw food sustainability initiatives as some of the most important for their city.

Edinburgh

With the ambitious goal of becoming “the most sustainable food city in the UK”, Edinburgh has launched Edible Edinburgh, a plan focused on health and wellbeing, the environment, land use, and the economy.  The plan recognizes that everyone in the community must be involved: citizens, families, organizations, and businesses have been called to action to provide feedback and help create a better food system for the city.