EU/UK Access to Land members gathered in Paris, France this summer for a 2-day discussion on the role of Local Authorities as a Public Good for delivering future food, farming and public health goals. A public good is a resource or service that is available to all members of a community without depletion upon usage, ensuring widespread benefits. We had European representatives from five countries (Spain, France, Beligum, Germany), including the UK and were tasked to unpack the current challenges across each country’s municipalities, gain insights on best practice, and most importantly identify who in the system (outside of government) also needs to be part of the sustainable agriculture, and public health agenda.
We heard several examples where local authorities have successfully built advocacy among diverse stakeholders, including farmers, chefs, and private investors to create aligned strategies. This approach not only supports local agricultural initiatives but also integrates broader objectives related to sustainability, food security, planning and economic development for local authorities and businesses.
So what are some of the initiatives working on the ground?
- Ghent, Flanders: local public procurement policies for schools and hospitals have been implemented, supported by a food council to drive demand for sustainable, locally sourced food. These policies are part of a broader effort to integrate sustainable food practices within public institutions and showcases the collaborative multi-stakeholder opportunities in strengthening local economies and farmer livelihoods and meeting public health and environmental goals through supplying food from biologically based farming systems.
- Sheffield, England: innovative social food security models are underway in Sheffield with “pay what you can afford” cafes that repurpose surplus produce from local farms. These cafes address a food security, and social equity issue by making local food affordable and help to reduce the stigma associated with food assistance programs. Another added benefit is the community engagement of volunteer opportunities, providing possibilities for building social networks where people can learn about food, farming and public health discussions.
- Malgrat de Mar, Catalonia, Spain: is addressing the challenge of an ageing farming population by promoting generational replacement and agricultural education through the development of land banks.
These examples reflect a diverse range of approaches by local authorities to support sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. The take home message was that relationships and process are the key ingredients. These initiatives do not happen overnight but are part of a larger process where diverse views and agendas can be included to map a way forward for food system transitions. What might work in one country, may not work in others which is why the social and cultural context of mapping solutions matters.
These initiatives are just a few examples of how local authorities are driving change at the grassroots level. We then delved into a hands-on experience at a peri-urban farm outside the city of Paris that provided further insights into how local authorities are working with citizens on the ground to establish working food growing enterprises.
Farm Visit: Ferme de l’Envol, France
During our visit to Ferme de l’Envol, we gained valuable insights into the innovative approaches being taken by local municipalities in France to support regenerative agriculture. This farm, set up in 2019, is situated on an old military airbase sold to the local authority for a nominal sum. While part of the site is used for industrial development, the local authority reserved 70-80 hectares for farming and nature restoration.
Ferme de l’Envol is built on a cooperative model, comprising two coops: an infrastructure cooperative (SIC) that leases the land, and a workers’ cooperative (SCOP) that runs the farm business. This structure supports the farm’s social and environmental pillars. The social pillar focuses on generational renewal and the integration of new entrants into farming, and shaping the farming sector to be financially rewarding and attractive to work in. So how is this happening? The infrastructure cooperative (SIC) involves a broad membership, including farmers, chefs, local municipalities, private investors, and the general public. Members can invest in non-withdrawable share capital and enjoy tax relief as social investors. Restaurants in particular, invest capital, and advance payments into a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription model that operates on the farm, securing two farmers a salary of €2,500 per month. The natural pillar includes sustainable farming practices like market gardening, agroforestry, and water harvesting interventions, aiming for 60% water reuse across the site.
Despite the initial investment of €2-3 million, the farm has faced financial challenges, necessitating fundraising to service its debt. This has led to premium pricing for its produce, particularly for Paris restaurants, and direct sales through a market stall. The site continues to adapt and respond to different public-private partnerships, they engage with and may require different strategic land management on site. Ferme de I’Envol showcases how multi-stakeholder partnerships (especially with private actors) can be effective in setting up innovative farming models that work to secure a financial pay packet that brings added benefits to farmer wellbeing and happiness, whilst delivering for the environment.
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