Local Authorities' Multifaceted Roles in Addressing Food (In)security Amidst Societal Shifts

The paper delves into the evolving role of European Union (EU) Local Authorities (LAs) in mitigating food (in)security within the broader context of shifting societal conditions such as urbanisation, climate change, and migration. LAs are the link between the global, regional, national and local dimensions of the food system that has an overall objective to deliver food security and nutrition to all. EU LAs have a determinant role in setting context-specific governance priorities, multi-actor strategies, and resource allocations. The paper focuses on LAs’ role with regard to food recovery and redistribution networks (i.e. food banks, soup kitchens, social supermarkets) that are key in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 ("zero hunger"). Specifically, the launch, legitimization, evolution, and institutionalisation of these networks. In alignment with the interdisciplinary nature of local governance, the paper adopts the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework through a lens of polycentric governance for social innovation. Case studies from the capital cities of Romania, Poland, Portugal, Italy, and France contribute with empirical insights. Food recovery and redistribution networks try to address concurrently the four dimensions of food security and nutrition (i.e. availability, accessibility, utilisation, and stability). Given this complexity, the analysis presented in the paper highlights that state (i.e. LAs) and non-state actors (private sector, civil society) have been stretched for resources and face significant political, policy, legislation and logistical challenges due to the increasing demand and pressures to align in the evolving setting of local communities. The cross-border and national to EU-level cooperation is central to the analytical framework. Malnutrition and undernutrition in the EU has risen due to the material and social deprivation rates that, in 2022, lead to 8.3% of the population to be unable to afford a meal containing meat, fish or a vegetarian equivalent every second day while, in 2019, 52.7% of adults (aged 18 and over) were overweight. LAs’ budget cuts and reduced welfare entitlements have been linked with the increase in the population rates that are directed towards, seek, access, and depend on the services provided by these networks. Therefore, LAs have a double-edged sword governance effect in that they can be conducive to food security and nutrition through facilitation of recovery and redistribution as well as they have been identified as having a hindering impact. Since 1986, the European Federation of Food Banks (FEBA) has supported food banks that, initially, were local extensions of the EU market-management scheme (i.e. school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme). However, they evolved into public-private-civil society partnerships. In 2023, FEBA had 24 full members and 6 associate members in 30 European countries. FEBA directly engages with EU Institutions, national governments, and the private sector, on food security and nutrition, climate change, migration and refugees. LAs are actively exploring ways of collaboration, alignment and governance updates.