The contribution of local agrifood systems in food policies of cities

In the current relocation process of food systems, cities are experimenting new local food procurement policies. These experiences are quite different with the previous initiatives of support of agriculture that was conceived and reasoned from a rural area in order to reveal specificities to ensure better integration in the markets and contributed to the development and recognition of what is called the agriculture of terroir or geographical indications. The approach of Local Agri-Food Systems (LAS) is in this perspective and brings, since the late 90s, original contributions to the analysis of rural development by providing a central place to resources, territory and local food cultures [Muchnik et al (2008)]. Public procurement projects networks and programs for school canteens cities refocus the debate on the need to take account of the logic of small businesses and their possible cooperation within a territory and interacting with urban developers of these programs. The paper discuss here on the capacity and the relevance of the LAS approach to meet the food safety requirements and to support local procurement policies of cities and especially school canteens. (Résumé d'auteur