IPES-Food Releases New Report Highlighting Localized Food Systems

The International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food), a global thinktank focused on guiding sustainable food systems, has released a new report, “Food From Somewhere,” which emphasizes the critical role of localized ‘territorial’ food markets in ensuring food security.

The report highlights the vulnerabilities exposed in global industrial food supply chains by recent crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 spike in food prices. These events have shown the limitations of corporate-controlled supply chains in maintaining food security during disruptions.

In contrast, the report showcases the resilience and adaptability of territorial markets, which include public markets, street vendors, cooperatives, urban agriculture, and community kitchens. These markets support small-scale producers, provide affordable and diverse foods, and sustain cultural and community ties. They are essential in feeding up to 70% of the global population daily.

Key findings from the report include:

• Economic Resilience: Territorial markets offer better margins for small-scale producers, supporting steady incomes and economic stability, especially for women and youth.
• Nutritional Access: These markets provide more affordable and diverse foods compared to supermarkets, enhancing dietary diversity and health.
• Environmental Benefits: Localized food systems promote sustainable farming practices, reduce food miles, and decrease waste. Urban agriculture, for example, maintains agro-biodiversity.
• Community and Cultural Preservation: Territorial markets help sustain traditional food cultures and foster strong community connections.

The report calls for policy shifts to strengthen localized food systems, including redirecting public procurement to small-scale producers, investing in local infrastructure, protecting markets from corporate dominance, and promoting sustainable farming practices. These measures are crucial to addressing the growing issue of food insecurity and working towards the 2030 zero hunger goal.

For more information, the full report is available on the IPES-Food website.