The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped urban food distribution, accelerating trends like e-commerce, home delivery, and local sourcing, while also highlighting vulnerabilities in food logistics systems. A joint report by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and FAO’s Investment Centre titled “Building Resilience in Urban Food Logistics Systems” explores how urban authorities and private sectors adapted to strengthen rural-urban food linkages and make logistics infrastructure more resilient.
Based on case studies from nine cities (e.g., London, Kyiv, Istanbul) and insights from over 100 stakeholders, the report emphasizes the importance of participatory food policy, legislation and collaboration across sectors to build efficient and flexible urban food systems. Persistent trends, like digital platforms connecting farmers with urban consumers, have reshaped consumer preferences, catering to both local and budget-conscious demands.
The findings stress the need for robust food policies to ensure food security, address logistical challenges, and prepare for future disruptions.
Read the full article on the FAO Investment website.