Food Council Amsterdam Metropolitan Area

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The Food Council for the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, in short Food Council MRA, is a non-profit organization that works on a sustainable, healthy food environment that is available and affordable for everyone. Through different types  In projects , we link initiatives by citizens, entrepreneurs and the government to jointly devise solutions to the food issue. It offers a meeting place for citizens' initiatives, entrepreneurs and governments. Participating parties join forces  to jointly devise solutions to the food issue.

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The food issue

Our daily diet is cause for concern. Many of the products on supermarket shelves have traveled the world. The ingredients of an average hot meal have traveled 30,000 km together. Food production and processing is responsible for 35% of all greenhouse gases. Obesity is one of the greatest human scourges of our time, besides malnutrition.

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Our food system is not sustainable, too often provides unhealthy food and good nutrition too often remains out of reach of people with a low income. A growing number of residents of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area are showing that they wish to have more control over their daily food. The Food Council MRA is assisting with the repair of the system.  

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Ambition

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The Food Council wants to play a pioneering role in the transition to a sustainable, healthy, transparent and fair food system in the metropolitan region. She brings together doers and thinkers from city and country, from different cities and villages, from various sectors and disciplines to map out opportunities, start projects and give solicited and unsolicited advice to governments, companies and citizens.

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Systemic approach

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Because of its complexity, the whole of activities around food is referred to as a system. It concerns production, consumption, transport, processing, land use, environment, water, health and much more. If you pull on one thread in the tangle, a lot of things start to move. Food Council MRA advocates a system approach in which coherence between the elements is given a lot of attention.

The chain includes the most important stages in the cycle from production to the processing of residues into new raw materials. Parties in the chain include farmers, banks, transporters, industry, catering, consumers and recycling. In addition to the chain parties, administrators, involved citizens, environmental activists, education, research and healthcare are also active within the food system.

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Regional perspective

The Food Council looks at the food system from a regional perspective. The city of Amsterdam and its region are full of initiatives, networks, ambitions and creativity. Linking the potential of the cities with the rural area provides new possibilities and opportunities. The Food Council bridges the gap between global and local players. She seeks smart connections between old and new parties in the food chain.  

Citizens' initiative

Citizens' initiatives are the lubricant for the revolution in the food system. This revolution requires an open communication channel between old and new players; such as green start-ups, food cooperatives, communal urban gardens and initiatives against food waste.  

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Connecting and facilitating

The Food Council wants to play a pioneering role in the transition to a sustainable, healthy, transparent and fair food system in the metropolitan region. She brings together doers and thinkers from city and country, from different cities and villages, from various sectors and disciplines.  The Food Council identifies opportunities, devises projects and provides advice to governments, companies and citizens.

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Targets

We strive for a more sustainable, healthier, more transparent and fairer food system by:

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• Improving the accessibility and affordability of good food for all residents of the region.

• Realization of sustainable regional logistics that connects the rural area with the cities.

• Preserving the agricultural landscape in the metropolitan region and increasing the quality of greenery in the cities.

• Nature-inclusive production of agricultural products.

• Strengthening and renewal of the regional economy and application of the circularity principle. 

• Restore biodiversity and soil fertility.

• Involve as many groups as possible within society.

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