Page 156 - U4SSC KPIs Verification Manual - A guide for verifiers

Dimension Society and Culture
Sub-Dimension Safety, Housing and Social Inclusion

Category Food Security
KPI Name Local Food Production
KPI No. SC: SH: FS: 1A Type: Advanced Type: Sustainable

Definition / Percentage of local food supplied from within 100 km of the urban area.
Description

Rationale / Food security is a complex concept, and it consists of various dimensions including:
Interpretation / Availability: this refers to the physical availability of food in terms of adequate
Benchmarking
supply.
Utilization: this refers to consumption of fresh food in sanitary conditions with no
negative effects on the well-being or health of an individual.
Access: this refers to the economic means by which fresh food can be acquired in
adequate quantities for consumption.
Stability: this refers to adequate intake and availability of food on a regular basis,
overcoming any adverse climatic conditions, economic limitations and overriding
any possibilities of nutritional deficiencies. (FAO)
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations states that "food
security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic
access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and
food preferences for an active and healthy life." (FAO, 1996)
Adopting a people-centric approach for local food systems promotes participatory
governance at three different levels:

Social level: Local procurement is generally focused on whole food products,
which are healthier, fresher, more nutritious and tastier because of their seasonality.
Also, local procurement provides an opportunity to increase domestic food self-
sufficiency, as well as to strengthen communities by increasing the accountability
and transparency between consumers and producers. Additionally, local
procurement can be an effective option for protecting traditional food cultures and
native species.
Economic level: local procurement supports farmer retention on farmlands, greater
income generation at the community level, employment growth and import
substitution. Additionally, local food channels, such as farmers’ markets, can further
stimulate business activity by providing small producers with greater access to
consumers.

146 U4SSC KPIs Verification Manual-A guide for verifiers