C40 Thriving Food Systems Accelerator

Cities are transforming food systems to tackle hunger, create thriving local economies, and build resilience within planetary boundaries.

Cities are tackling food insecurity while building thriving food economies

Through shared commitment, cities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America are revitalising food systems to address challenges

Cities consume more than half of all food produced. By 2050, that figure will reach 80% as urban populations grow[1]. This provides an enormous opportunity for cities to reshape the food systems that currently:

  • contribute roughly one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions[2]
  • convert natural land and forests into farmland, driving biodiversity collapse
  • deplete freshwater resources and pollute waterways with fertiliser runoff
  • contaminate ecosystems with pesticides, plastics, and synthetic chemicals[3]
  • waste a third of all food produced[4]
  • fail to feed people equitably[5] 

C40 developed the C40 Thriving Food Systems Accelerator with cities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, which face a distinct set of challenges. Despite their minimal contribution to climate change, they are most at risk from its impacts[6]. At the same time, they must reduce food and nutrition insecurity by revitalising local food economies within planetary boundaries.

12 cities are committing to providing healthy meals for every child, upgrading markets, and partnering with surrounding municipalities to build food systems that tackle both hunger and climate change.

Why cities are prioritising food systems transformation

Cities are committing to food systems transformation because it addresses hunger, climate, and economic challenges simultaneously:

Every child deserves a healthy meal

Establishing universal school feeding programmes

Universal school feeding programmes provide a free, nutritious daily meal to every child. This ensures that every child receives a healthy, sustainable meal aligned to a locally relevant planetary health diet (a way of eating that meets nutritional needs while staying within environmental limits[7]). These programmes improve nutrition, support local farmers who supply the food, and teach children about healthy eating[8].

Modernising markets strengthens local food economies

Making public food markets safer, cleaner, and more affordable 

Public markets are where most urban residents in Africa, Asia, and Latin America buy food. Sustainably upgrading market infrastructure improves food safety, reduces food loss and waste, and creates better conditions for vendors. Clean, safe markets strengthen local food economies and ensure communities can access affordable, nutritious food close to home[9].

Local food businesses create good green jobs

Supporting farmers and small enterprises to supply diverse, healthy food.

Partnering with neighbouring towns to support farmers and small food businesses builds local supply chains for diverse, healthy food that’s sustainably produced. This creates good green jobs, keeps money in local economies, and reduces the environmental impact of transporting food over long distances. Strong local food businesses also make cities more resilient to supply shocks[10].

Food systems planning protects communities

Integrating food into climate action and disaster preparedness 

Food insecurity worsens during climate disasters. Cities that integrate food system strategies into Climate Action Plans and disaster preparedness mechanisms can protect residents during crises while building long-term resilience. This approach recognises that food security, climate action, and community wellbeing are inseparable[11].

Food insecurity worsens during climate disasters. Cities that integrate food system strategies into Climate Action Plans and disaster preparedness mechanisms can protect residents during crises while building long-term resilience. This approach recognises that food security, climate action, and community wellbeing are inseparable[11].

What cities commit to through the C40 Thriving Food Systems Accelerator

Commitment 1: Universal school feeding

Establish a universal school feeding programme aligned to a locally relevant planetary healthy diet, ensuring every child has access to a nutritious daily meal.

Commitment 2: Market modernisation

Sustainably upgrade city market infrastructure to improve food safety, minimise food loss and waste, and create safer, cleaner, more affordable spaces for vendors and residents.

Commitment 3: Local food business support

Foster good green jobs and increase the supply of diverse, healthy, sustainably produced food by partnering with neighbouring towns to develop farmer and small and medium enterprise support programmes.

Commitment 4: Integrated food strategy

Co-create an integrated food system strategy within two years that is reflected in the city’s Climate Action Plan and disaster preparedness mechanisms, ensuring food security is central to climate action.

Cities committed to the C40 Thriving Food Systems Accelerator

Accra, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Curitiba, Dakar, Fortaleza, Guadalajara, Lagos, Medellin, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Tshwane

How signatories of the C40 Thriving Food Systems Accelerator deliver on their commitments

Signatory cities commit to progress reporting every two years on actions that transform food systems:

  • Establishing school feeding programmes that source from local suppliers, align with a locally relevant planetary health diet, and provide nutrition education.
  • Investing in market infrastructure through upgrades to water, sanitation, waste management, and sustainable storage facilities that reduce food loss.
  • Supporting farmers and small businesses through partnerships with neighbouring towns that develop training programmes and access to incentives that help build more resilient supply chains.
  • Building cross-sector partnerships with businesses, workers, communities, and regional authorities to develop joint roadmaps with interim targets.

Cities report on progress every two years across these action areas, showing how policy, investment, and partnerships are delivering healthier, more resilient food systems.

Questions about the C40 Thriving Food Systems Accelerator?

Cities interested in signing onto the accelerator or learning more can contact the C40 Thriving Food Systems Accelerator team at food@c40.org.

Resources

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