The metropole region of Amsterdam, in The Netherlands, has recently developed food policies to increase the share of locally produced food: food that is produced and processed in the direct surroundings. To prepare for implementation of these food policies, the food system of the area has been mapped. What is the demand for urban food based upon the population? How much food is currently produced in the region? Where does this food go to? What areas can be transformed to match the demand for food?
Partner organisations gathered and harmonized data on the locations of food production, processing and distribution centres, transport networks and consumer markets. This initial inventory was supplemented with tacit stakeholder knowledge that emerged from workshops and interviews. This mapping was matched with the demand for food, based upon a healthy food intake pattern including vegetables, cereals, pulses, dairy produce, etc. A local spatial design was drafted to discover potential areas for growing the food that is currently not locally available.
Wageningen University & Research carried out these activities in cooperation with: AMS Institute, Flevo campus, Aeres Hogeschool and Hogeschool van Amsterdam.
The process of mapping the food system has brought together various stakeholders, while creating a realistic understanding of the situation through a tangible spatial map. This is an essential step towards implementing the food policy to enhance the share of consumed food that is produced and processed in the direct surrounding rural area. More parties need to be engaged in jointly exploring active realisation.
