A new handbook for healthier, more resilient cities
As cities around the world grapple with the intersecting challenges of rapid urbanization, climate change, and rising inequalities, a vital, but often overlooked, solution is making a powerful comeback: the public food market.
From traditional open-air markets to modern farmers markets, these spaces are more than just venues for commerce, they are vibrant centers of community life, health, and resilience. That’s why we are thrilled to announce the launch of the CityFood Market Handbook for Healthy and Resilient Cities, a groundbreaking resource designed to help urban leaders unlock the transformative power of local food markets.
A Global Effort to Rethink Urban Food Systems
This handbook is a major output of the project “Strengthening local fresh food markets for healthier food environments within planetary boundaries”, coordinated by ICLEI’s CityFood Programme and supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and GIZ, as part of GIZ’s Global Programme Transformation of Food Systems.
It was developed in close partnership with the World Farmers Markets Coalition (WorldFMC) and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)—bringing together deep expertise and on-the-ground experience from across the globe.
At the heart of this work is a bold idea: Food markets can be key drivers of health, sustainability, and equity in cities.
A Word from Richard McCarthy
Richard McCarthy, President of WorldFMC and a contributor to the handbook, shared a compelling reflection:
“A funny thing happened on the way to the 21st Century. Humanity unexpectedly rediscovered an ancient mechanism, the public market… This purposeful assembly of competing vendors in a public setting is the special sauce… Let the market be the first place where relationships are built and food is sold from land to hand.”
McCarthy’s insight speaks to the power of markets as places of trust, connection, and opportunity—not just food.
What’s Inside the Handbook?
The CityFood Market Handbook serves as a practical and inspiring guide for local governments, NGOs, researchers, and community organizations. Here’s what you’ll find:
- The CityFood Market Action Framework: A structured approach supported by 16 real-world case studies from cities around the world.
- Lessons from Lusaka and Lilongwe: Deep dives into two African cities that are transforming their market environments through innovative, locally led strategies.
- Practical Tools and Policies: Guidance on assessing market environments, improving infrastructure and hygiene, enhancing governance, and fostering inclusive growth.
- Digital Innovation & Education: Strategies for adopting digital tools and launching educational campaigns to promote healthy, sustainable diets.
- Equity and Access: Policies to ensure markets are inclusive and food is affordable and culturally appropriate.
By highlighting food markets as critical urban food environments, the handbook challenges outdated assumptions and shows how investments in physical and soft infrastructure—like plumbing, lighting, management, and governance—can catalyze real change.
Why Now?
Urban food systems are at a crossroads. With global food insecurity on the rise, the need to localize and humanize food environments has never been greater.
Public markets offer a tangible, scalable solution. They connect producers to consumers, support livelihoods, preserve biodiversity, and foster community cohesion. When well-managed and equitably supported, they become vehicles for systemic change, driving healthy diets, economic inclusion, and climate resilience.
Ready to take Action?
If you’re a policymaker, urban planner, community leader, or simply someone passionate about food justice and sustainability, this handbook is for you.
Explore the full handbook and join the movement to strengthen food markets as engines of a better urban future: Download the handbook.
Let’s reimagine our markets. Let’s build healthier, more resilient cities, from land to hand.
