An integrated approach to identifying and characterising resilient urban food systems to promote population health in a changing climate

Abstract

Objective: To determine key points of intervention in urban food systems to improve the climate resilience, equity and healthfulness of the whole system. Design: The paper brings together evidence from a 3-year, Australia-based mixedmethods research project focused on climate change adaptation, cities, food systems and health. In an integrated analysis of the three research domainsencompassing the production, distribution and consumption sectors of the food chain -the paper examines the efficacy of various food subsystems (industrial, alternative commercial and civic) in achieving climate resilience and good nutrition.

The role of Australian local governments in creating a healthy food environment: an analysis of policy documents from six Sydney local governments

“…19 The latter include an emphasis on local, alternative or civil forms of urban food production 17,20-21 as a way of creating more sustainable urban food systems and reconnecting residents to food production (although some challenge the idea that the consumption of locally produced food is necessarily a complete solution to the sustainability and health concerns posed by industrial food production). [20][21] Urban food policies are often developed and/or implemented by food policy councils, a multistakeholder form of governance that includes civil society and community representation. 17 The involvement of non-government stakeholders in urban food governance is seen as crucial to recognising local needs and response gaps, building capacity for policy design and implementation, and ensuring public support.…”

“…However, there is a recognition that urban food policy at the local level in Australia could be more effective, including through policies that: integrate health, social justice, and environmental concerns so that food systems promote healthy, sustainable and equitable diets; address the different domains, sectors and subsystems of the food system in an integrated manner; and introduce measures targeting each part of the food supply chain. 21 This study aims to analyse NSW local government policies that impact on nutrition and healthy eating. Using six LGs in the Sydney municipal region as a case study, it considers policies that are relevant to promoting a healthy food supply and consumer food environment.…”

Public health nutrition and sustainability

“…James and Friel synthesize evidence from a three-year mixed-methods research project to determine points of intervention in Australian-based urban food systems to improve systems' climate resilience, equity and healthiness (34) . Their investigation identifies the interconnectedness of food system sectors; improving environmental sustainability, equity and population health requires a coordinated focus on the whole system.…”

Open-Source Food: Nutrition, Toxicology, and Availability of Wild Edible Greens in the East Bay

“…Diets that include a wide array of plant-based foods are associated with lower rates of 2 chronic disease and better health outcomes [1][2][3]. Edible wild and feral plants-edible 3 weeds-are an abundant but generally overlooked food source with the potential to 4 contribute to dietary diversity and vegetable intake, especially in areas with limited 5 access to fresh produce. 6 Edible weeds, which require neither cultivation nor intentional watering, are 7 generally abundant in farms, gardens, parks, yards, sidewalks, and medians, on both 8 private and public land: anywhere there has not been a concerted effort to eradicate 9 them.…”

“…Some are native to their habitat, but many are nonnative feral species that 10 were once cultivated deliberately but have since colonized the globe [4]. Due to 11 evolutionary selection, edible weeds thrive in places where humans disrupt the soil and 12 they are more tolerant of environmental extremes than most commercial crops [5][6][7]; 13 climate change may select for weeds and for herbicide-resistant weeds [8]. 14 15 north [9] and also an important source of nutrition during food shortages [10,11].…”