Food security—defined as reliable access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food—has traditionally been addressed through global trade networks that move food from regions of surplus to areas of scarcity. However, recent disruptions including the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather events, and supply chain bottlenecks have highlighted the vulnerabilities inherent in centralised, long-distance food systems. Local and regional food systems offer complementary approaches to food security that enhance resilience while providing additional economic, environmental, and social benefits.
The concept of food security encompasses multiple dimensions beyond simple caloric availability. True food security requires that food be accessible both physically and economically, that it meet cultural preferences and dietary needs, and that it be produced and distributed in ways that don’t compromise future food security. Local food systems can address each of these dimensions while providing insurance against the disruptions that increasingly threaten globalised food networks.
Physical accessibility represents the most obvious advantage of local food systems for food security. Communities with strong local food networks can continue to feed their populations even when global supply chains are disrupted. During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, many communities experienced empty grocery store shelves and disrupted supply chains, while areas with robust local food systems maintained better food access through farmers’ markets, CSA programs, and direct farm sales.
Economic accessibility also improves through local food systems, though this benefit requires careful program design. In Europe, economic accessibility to local food is fostered through Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) and solidarity purchasing groups (GAS). A notable example is the cooperative Arvaia, founded in Bologna in 2013, which exemplifies a solidarity-based CSA model that forges direct, transparent links between consumers and producers. This initiative illustrates how CSA organizations contribute to community resilience and sustainable procurement practices (Diesis – Proximity and Social Economy Platform, 2025).
Local food systems enhance food security by supporting agricultural diversity and preserving regional crop varieties adapted to local growing conditions. This genetic diversity provides insurance against crop failures, pest outbreaks, and changing climate conditions that might devastate monoculture systems. Small-scale farms typically grow many different crops, using techniques like intercropping and crop rotation that reduce the risk of total crop failure.
The knowledge and skills embedded in local food systems represent crucial components of long-term food security. Communities with active farming populations, food preservation traditions, and local processing facilities maintain the capacity to feed themselves even during extended disruptions. These skills and infrastructure can be scaled up during emergencies but are difficult to develop quickly when needed.
Urban agriculture represents a particularly important component of local food security strategies. In Europe, urban agriculture is increasingly recognized for its role in food resilience and community engagement. Although it remains limited in EU-wide policy coverage, initiatives like community gardens, rooftop farms, and zero-acreage farms are gaining support. For instance, under the EU biodiversity strategy, cities over 20,000 inhabitants were encouraged (by 2021) to develop urban greening plans that include urban farms and green roofs. Urban agriculture also provides educational opportunities that build food literacy and self-reliance within communities.
Institutional purchasing programs strengthen local food security by creating stable markets for regional producers while improving food access for vulnerable populations. The EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy, and corresponding public procurement guidelines, promote local, high-quality food in institutions. The European Parliament recommends zero-kilometre principles and the use of organic, protected designation products in school meals and other public facilities, thereby supporting small producers and enhancing regional food systems.” Hospitals, universities, and government facilities that prioritise local purchasing create market opportunities that support regional food system development.
Food processing and preservation infrastructure play crucial roles in local food security by extending the availability of seasonal crops throughout the year. Communities with local food processing facilities, including commercial kitchens, canneries, and freezing facilities, can preserve local abundance during harvest seasons for consumption during periods of scarcity. These facilities also enable value-added processing that increases farmer income while providing shelf-stable local food products.
In the EU, while the term “food hubs” is not uniformly used, the concept aligns with Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs), which are explicitly supported under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). SFSCs involve a limited number of economic operators committed to cooperation, local economic development, and close geographical and social relations between producers, processors, and consumers. The EU encourages the development of aggregation mechanisms through rural development funding to support small farmers in connecting with retailers and institutions via cooperative models..
Emergency food systems benefit significantly from integration with local food networks. In response to rising food insecurity amid crises, the EU has enhanced support through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). For instance, in 2022, the EU allocated €500 million to support farmers and maintain continuity in food supply, addressing market disruptions linked to imports from Ukraine. This funding aimed to stabilize agricultural markets and ensure food security within the EU. Community emergency preparedness plans that include local food production capacity and distribution networks can respond more quickly and effectively to disasters and disruptions.
Climate resilience represents an increasingly important aspect of food security that favours local and regional food systems. Diverse, small-scale farming operations are typically more adaptable to changing weather patterns than large monocultures. Local farmers can adjust planting dates, crop varieties, and management practices based on immediate observations of local conditions, while industrial operations often rely on standardised practices that may not be appropriate for changing climate conditions.
Water security, closely linked to food security, also benefits from local food system approaches. Local food production reduces the need to transport food from water-stressed regions, while regional water management can be coordinated with agricultural needs. Sustainable farming practices common in local food systems, including organic methods, cover cropping, and integrated pest management, typically require less water and help maintain watershed health.
Community resilience extends beyond food access to include economic stability and social cohesion. Communities with strong local food networks retain more economic value within their regions, providing jobs and supporting related businesses. The social connections fostered through farmers’ markets, CSA programs, and community gardens create networks of mutual support that strengthen community response to various challenges.
However, building food security through local systems requires realistic assessment of regional production capacity and nutritional needs. Most regions cannot produce all of the food needed by their populations, particularly for essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and certain proteins. Effective local food security strategies combine increased local production with strategic regional trade that reduces dependence on global supply chains while maintaining nutritional adequacy.
Policy support plays a crucial role in building local food security. Zoning policies that protect agricultural land, investment in local food infrastructure, and procurement policies that favour local producers all contribute to food system resilience. Emergency preparedness planning that includes food system components can identify vulnerabilities and develop strategies for maintaining food access during disruptions.
References:
- European Commission. (2025). Arvaia: The role of community-supported agriculture (CSA) in building resilient local food systems. Transition Pathways. Retrieved from https://transition-pathways.europa.eu/best-practices/arvaia-role-community-supported-agriculture-csa-building-resilient-local-food
- Diesis – Proximity and Social Economy Platform, 2025)
- European Commission. (2021). Annexes to COM(2020)380 – EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030: Bringing nature back into our lives. EU Monitor. Retrieved from https://www.eumonitor.eu/9353000/1/j4nvirkkkr58fyw_j9vvik7m1c3gyxp/vl8tqb8jwtyy
- European Parliament. (2021, February 18). Urban agriculture: State of play. European Parliamentary Research Service. Retrieved from https://epthinktank.eu/2025/02/18/urban-agriculture-state-of-play/
- European Commission. (2020, May). A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system (COM(2020)381). Retrieved from https://food.ec.europa.eu/horizontal-topics/farm-fork-strategy_en
- IFOAM Organics Europe. (2023). Sustainable public procurement of food: integrating organic and local sourcing in public canteens. Retrieved from https://www.organicseurope.bio/what-we-do/food-policy/
- European Parliament. (2021, June). Report on a farm to fork strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system (A9-0271/2021). Retrieved from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-9-2021-0271_EN.html
- European Commission. (2020). A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system (COM(2020)381). Retrieved from https://food.ec.europa.eu/horizontal-topics/farm-fork-strategy_en
- European Parliament. (2016). Short food supply chains and local food systems in the EU (EPRS Briefing). Retrieved from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2016/586650/EPRS_BRI(2016)586650_EN.pdf
- European Commission. (2022). Measures to safeguard food security and support EU farmers. Retrieved from https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/common-agricultural-policy/agri-food-supply-chain/measures-safeguard-food-security-and-support-eu-farmers_en