Nairobi, 19th June 2025
Nairobi City County played host to the 3rd Food Systems Network, bringing together cities across Africa, Latin America and Asia who are working on finalizing the development of a pathway towards good food cities.
The good food cities pathway focuses particularly on relevant actions that cities in the majority world can take on food and nutrition security as well as the creation of resilient urban food economies in alignment with the vision set by the Good Food Cities accelerator.
Welcoming the delegates in Nairobi on behalf of the Nairobi Governor H.E Sakaja Johnson, the County Chief Officer for Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Ms. Gladwell Cheruiyot said that the workshop highlighted the urgency and importance of coordinated City led responses to food systems transformation.
“Within our fast changing urban environment, Nairobi City County is pioneering approaches that align with principles of climate resilience, equity and sustainability.” She said.
Ms. Cheruiyot pointed out that despite spatial constraints, the County was implementing forward looking solutions including; urban and peri -urban agriculture, livestock and aquaculture systems, circular economy models, and local procurement policies to empower smallholder and urban farmers by connecting them to markets.
The Chief Officer described Nairobi Food Systems Strategy 2022-2027, Dishi na County Program and the deployment of solar powered cold storage units in the markets as key programmes supporting the food system transformation in the County.
While appreciating the C40 Cities and the delegates, Ms. Cheruiyot noted that the workshop was more than a technical exchange.” It is a movement of committed Cities. Let us move forward with boldness, curiosity and solidarity. Nairobi stands ready to both lead and learn as we walk the pathway towards Good Food Cities.” She added.
Ms. Amina Mohammed, the County Chief Officer, Nutrition, Wellness and School Feeding Program noted that the role of nutrition in urban food systems must be at the core of any effort to transform food system. “In Nairobi we are committed to improving dietary outcomes and access to safe, affordable and nutritious food for all. Our food policies are rooted in the principles of human rights, equity and climate smart resilience”. Explained Ms. Mohammed.
Highlighting Nairobi County’s Dishi na County Programme, the Nutrition and Wellness Chief Officer shared that the program is currently reaching 310,000 school going children with hot, nutritious and primary plant based meals, with over 17 operational central kitchens and a giga kitchen that cooks 60,000 meals a day powered by clean energy and creating over 2000 formal jobs.
“This initiative has led to 34% increase in school enrolment in public primary schools and attracted co- financing for educational infrastructure.” Said Ms. Mohammed.
Ms. Mohammed called on the cities to champion food systems that place people, health and equity at the heart of decision making. “Nutrition is not secondary concern, it is the foundation of a just resilient and thriving societies. She added.
The forum also provided a platform for discussion as different cities represented shared studies on how the proposed commitment on good food cities pathway could be achieved. They also forged plans for the development of action plans for cities to achieve the pathway towards good food cities commitment as well as building relationships and collaboration between working group cities committed to just food transition.
The workshop concluded with site visits to Farasi lane primary school for the team to experience firsthand the Nairobi’s School feeding program and a tour to the City Park market to learn on the solar powered cold storage facility and Soko Kijiji online marketing youth group.
Ms. Anri Manderson, the C40 Cities Senior Manager- Just Food Transitions expressed gratitude to the County Government of Nairobi for hosting the 3 day workshop. She also appreciated the delegates for their efforts and immense contributions throughout the sessions, as they collectively work towards building solutions needed to transform not only local food systems, but to also inspire a just food transition globally.
Attending the forum were County Directors; Ms. Winfred Katumo (Food System and Sector programmes), Ms. Esther Mogusu ( Nutrition, Wellness and School Feeding Program),Ms. Ruth Owuor ( Education), Mr. Maurice Kavai( Deputy Director, Climate Change and Air Quality Monitoring) and other senior Officers from Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources and Trade and Markets.
The Cities represented included; Nairobi( Kenya),Accra( Ghana),Cape Town (South Africa),Curitiba(Brazil),Daresalaam ( Tanzania), Johannesburg ( South Africa), Quezon City ( Philippines), Rio De Janeiro ( Brazil), and Sao Paulo ( Brazil).
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