In Italy, half of the population lives in population centers with more than 20,000 people, while over 20% reside in the country's four largest cities: Turin, Milan, Rome and Naples. A total of 22 million people live in these main urban agglomerations, representing more than a third of the national population.
This population concentration makes the transformation of the urban food system a matter of crucial importance. In recent decades, the loss of the direct connection with the land and the creation of increasingly long and complex food supply chains have had significant consequences.
To address these challenges, decisive intervention by city administrations is necessary to promote virtuous food policies. We propose to:
1. Increase Urban Gardens: Unused urban spaces can be transformed into community gardens, providing citizens with the opportunity to grow their own vegetables. This not only increases food self-sufficiency but also strengthens the link between the city and the countryside.
2. Facilitate the creation and redevelopment of Local Producers' Markets: Creating and supporting markets where local producers can sell directly to consumers helps reduce the distance between production and consumption. This ensures fresh, quality products while supporting the local economy.
3. Redevelop collective catering: It is essential that school, hospital and company canteens adopt menus that enhance local products. This not only improves the quality of the food offered, but also creates a stable market for local farmers.
4. Connecting Catering with Local Agriculture: Promote agreements between restaurateurs and local agricultural producers for direct supply. This reduces intermediate steps in the food supply chain, ensuring product freshness and traceability.
It is therefore essential to expand and build a new relationship between city and countryside, where food policies not only support local farmers but also make citizens more aware and involved in the value of the food they consume.
Only through joint commitment and concrete actions will it be possible to create a more sustainable and fair food system for all.
Author: Dr. Emanuele FALCINELLI
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