Local4Food: Accelerator for Local Food Policy

Challenges

• Food policy is highly fragmented across different levels of government – local, regional and Flemish.
• Many local governments are motivated and recognise the potential of local food policy, but often lack the time, knowledge, networks or resources needed to turn ambition into action.
• A wealth of tools, knowledge and initiatives already exists in Flanders, but local governments do not always know where to find or access them.
• Pioneer cities such as Ghent, Leuven and Bruges have already developed strong approaches, while smaller local governments are still catching up.
• There is a need for a central hub where knowledge, tools, guidance and networks come together to help local governments move from ambition to action.

What do we want to achieve?

Local4Food aims to support local governments that are just starting to develop food policies. At the same time, it helps cities and municipalities that already have experience with food strategies to strengthen their approaches through exchange and learning with pioneering local governments.

Over three years, Local4Food focuses on four areas:

Broaden

• Engage with and support more local governments in getting started with food policy.
• Provide practical tools and opportunities for action.
• Help local governments to scale up successful pilot projects and proven approaches.

Deepen

• Support local governments that wish to reinforce their food policies and address new emerging issues.
• Significantly boost collaboration between cities, municipalities and neighbouring local authorities.

Embed

• Increase the number of local and regional food strategies.
• Firmly integrate food into a range of local policy plans.
• Encourage more local governments to sign the commitment statement.
• Strengthen the alignment between Flemish and local food policy so that each level can reinforce the other through concrete action and examples.

Connect

Develop a stronger, more active and recognisable communication channel, with one platform bringing together information, tools and initiatives related to food policy that are relevant to local governments across Flanders.

Rikolto's role

Across the different content and learning activities, Rikolto contributes its expertise in several areas:

• Sustainable food systems: Rikolto brings knowledge and experience on how to make food systems more sustainable, inclusive and resilient.
• International and local experience: Through programmes around the world and in Flemish cities, Rikolto has extensive experience in supporting and strengthening food policy at local level.
• Lessons from previous programmes: Insights from initiatives such as inter-city collaboration on school meals and previous monitoring projects are actively brought into the programme.
• Connecting food system actors: Rikolto connects local governments with relevant civil society organisations, schools, businesses and other food system actors to help accelerate collaboration.
• Tackling food loss and waste through FoodWIN: FoodWIN, Rikolto's centre of expertise on food loss and waste, provides tailored support to local governments and large-scale kitchens to significantly reduce food waste.

Rikolto also supports Local4Food's communication. We develop content for the website, newsletters and social media, helping make knowledge, tools and practical examples accessible and easy to use for local governments.

Activities

Rikolto's expertise contributes to several of Local4Food's activities:

1. Online labs: Short, interactive sessions for local governments that are just starting out. They offer an accessible introduction to practical topics such as school meals, food environments, public procurement and developing a local food strategy. A particular focus is placed on supporting local governments at the beginning of their food policy journey.
2. Tailored advice for municipalities: This support is primarily aimed at local governments that are getting started and builds on the online labs, enabling participants to put what they have learned into practice. During the regional food days, short speed sessions also provide participants with quick ideas, practical tips and useful contacts.
3. Pioneer learning group: A year-long programme combining four full-day sessions with online learning. Through peer learning and study visits, participants turn their plans into action while building an informal network to help strengthen and advance their local food policies.
4. Regional food days: These events bring together different groups and strengthen connections at regional level. Participants take part in thematic sessions, inspiration visits and mentoring, and make a short commitment to action. One regional food day is organised in each province. In spring 2026, the programme took place in Antwerp and West Flanders; in 2027–2028, the regional food days will take place in East Flanders and Flemish Brabant.
5. Flemish Food Day: This is the programme's main gathering, bringing together a broad range of stakeholders. Participants draw conclusions together, reflect on what has been achieved over the past year, identify key lessons and look ahead to the next steps.