Local Food Systems

CIRCULANDIA co-develops and tests new models for local food production, distribution and public procurement that bring producers and consumers closer together.

Why it matters

Long, centralised supply chains dominate today’s food system structure. They contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and food and packaging waste, while often failing to pay producers fairly or to give all consumers affordable access to good food.  Consequently, the global food system faces escalating environmental, economic and geopolitical pressures. This is why novel models of arranging food provisioning and businesses from farm to fork and back are urgently needed to develop resilient, sustainable and fair food systems.

Local and regional food systems offer a path in this. They can shorten supply chains, share value more fairly and make food more transparent. They are increasingly recognised as critical for food security, because they enable flexible solutions that recycle nutrients, shorten value chains, reduce food waste, and reconnect people with local food production.

Another tool for boosting the uptake of more sustainable food production and consumption is public food procurement. Setting up governance mechanism that enable purchasing food from sources that invest in circular and regenerative farming methods is a powerful leverage for change, benefiting also small, local producers often struggling to access public markets.

How CIRCULANDIA moves it forward 

Benchmarking disruptive local food system models, such as food hubs and models for urban agriculture and local nutrient recycling. Building local food hub operations that connect farmers, small food producers, food services, digital tool developers, nutrient recycling operators and citizens. Using public procurement to create stable demand for local, sustainable and regenerative produce, with fair compensation for producers. Growing food in the city through rooftop and community gardens, indoor farming and micro-entrepreneurship. Developing governance models that help cities embed food into planning, permitting and policies.

The demonstrations 

The demonstrations take place in Helsinki (Viikki area), Vantaa, and the Helsinki-Uusimaa Region, Finland:

  1. Local food hubs in Helsinki, Viikki and Vantaa test circular operations such as local mushroom farming from upcycled raw materials, communal composting, and digitally organized food purchasing and distribution.
  2. Public procurement for local farmers builds a regional food producer cooperation model in Helsinki-Uusimaa, led by the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council together with the City of Vantaa.
  3. Urban food production pilots 2–3 initiatives in Vantaa, such as rooftop and community gardens and indoor farming of mushrooms, herbs and leafy greens.

The models are replicated in Espoo, Finland, Roeselare and Flanders, Belgium, and Møre and Romsdal, Norway. The multiplier municipalities Tuusula, Hyvinkää and Raasepori join through peer learning.

What we aim to achieve

  • 5 % lower greenhouse gas emissions by producing food in cities and reducing waste and food loss
  • 10–20 % local produce in public food procurement in Vantaa
  • 2–3 different public procurement mechanisms developed
  • 4–5 new upcycling loops and shorter supply chains
  • 40–50 public procurement decision-makers engaged
  • Funding secured for at least two years of food hub operations after the project

Local food systems represent one of CIRCULANDIA’s three interlinked value chains. Food from local producers reaches people through shorter supply chains, local waste- and side streams are upcycled back to food production, and regenerative farming practices take root through public procurement.

How you can participate in the Local Food Hub pilots?

Product and service providers: Are you a company, association, or other organization interested in testing a product or service related to local food production, distribution, logistics, composting, or nutrient recycling? Get in touch to explore opportunities to develop your solution in Viikki, network with fellow entrepreneurs and innovators, and become part of Viikki’s local food hub activities.

We are intrested to hear from you!

Contact person:

Laura Forsman 
Viikki Food Design Factory Lead 
Email: laura.forsman@helsinki.fi