The integration of food policies in a local administration system: the case of the Milan food policy

ABSTRACT

The city of Milan has developed a local food policy since 2014 which today is considered one of the most important food policies in Italy and a best practice at the international level. The aim of this research is to analyze the process that led to the implementation of the Milan food policy as a contribution to the agroecological transition of urban systems. The methods used to analyze this policy process (2014–2021), through the policy cycle framework, are a content analysis of key documents, interviews with key stakeholders and the analysis of lived experiences. The research highlights key information on the agenda setting, the policy formulation, the policy adoption, and the policy implementation, trying to break down the process, understand drivers, strengths, and challenges. The study highlights that institutionalization of the food policy has been the key to its success. Main results show that the engagement of international stakeholders and private funders have been important drivers of the agenda setting and formulation of the policy, while the presence of institutionalized policy entrepreneurs, as a permanent staff dedicated to food policies, was pivotal in the adoption of the policy and implementation of projects. The research also shows that the institutionalization, however, caused a lack of participative and cooperative policy development spaces, both with other departments of the Municipality and external local stakeholders, which resulted in their involvement for project design and consultation only.

KEYWORDS:

• Food policy
• local administration
• governance
• integration
• food council
• Italy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. Research center based in Pisa: https://www.laboratorisismondi.it/

2. Banking foundation that carries out philanthropic activities throughout Lombardy: https://www.fondazionecariplo.it/it/index.html

3. More on: https://www.milanurbanfoodpolicypact.org/the-milan-pact/

4. The MUFPP has 37 recommended actions clustered into 6 categories, which are: governance, sustainable diets and nutrition, social and economic equity, food production, food supply and distribution, and food waste. Each action has several indicators that can be used by cities to monitor the implementation of the Pact.

5. Independent research center based in Milan: https://assesta.it/

6. Cities Climate Leadership Group: https://www.c40.org/

7. Can be viewed at: https://foodpolicymilano.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/10-Questioni-Food-Policy-Milano.pdf

8. More information at: https://www.manitese.it/campagne/expo-dei-popoli#:~:text=L’Expo%20dei%20Popoli%20ha,per%20lo%20Sviluppo%20Post%2D2015

9. Important Italian NGO that works on food, climate, human rights and more: https://www.manitese.it/

10. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

11. More on: https://foodpolicymilano.org/food-smart-cities-for-development/?utm_content=buffere97e6&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

12. The association of companies operating in some provinces of Lombardy including Milan: https://www.assolombarda.it/

13. More on: https://earthshotprize.org/london-2021/the-earthshot-prize-winners-finalists/waste-free/

14. More on: https://foodpolicymilano.org/hot-pot/

15. More on: https://www.milanoristorazione.it/

16. Innovation hub of Cariplo Foundation: https://www.cariplofactory.it/

Additional information

Funding

The research for this paper was financially supported by the Internal Grant Agency of the Faculty of Economics and Management, Czech University of Life Science Prague, as part of the project “New models of sustainable food consumption within the context of agricultural transitions” (2019B0007).