Indice dei contenuti
The start of the process
In April 2026, EStà was awarded the contract to draw up the Strategic Plan for Food Policy for the Municipality of Trento, covering the period 2026–2030. The Plan will consist of two main components: an analysis of the urban food system and a section dedicated to defining strategic priorities, lines of action and concrete measures, which will constitute the actual formalisation of the municipal food policy.
Understanding the food system to develop the Plan
The methodology adopted by EStà in developing urban food policies systematically includes, as a preliminary phase, an analysis of the local food system – in other words, a mapping exercise. This methodological choice addresses various informational and strategic needs. Firstly, the food system is not a well-established field of knowledge: the common perception tends to identify it solely with the agricultural dimension, whilst in reality it encompasses a series of different stages (production, processing, distribution, consumption and waste management), with implications for social, economic and environmental spheres that are closely interlinked. Mapping therefore enables local stakeholders to develop both an awareness of the existence of a complex food system and a better understanding of its components, thereby promoting recognition of the role played by the various actors involved in the food policy process. Secondly, the analysis makes it possible to catalogue existing initiatives, projects and policies in the area, thereby highlighting the wealth of ongoing actions and integrating them into a systemic vision, avoiding duplication and fostering synergies. Thirdly, presenting the information gathered in an accessible format allows the discussion to extend beyond technical, scientific and institutional circles, opening up an informed public debate. Finally, the reconstruction of a shared knowledge framework is a necessary prerequisite for defining measurable objectives and establishing a subsequent monitoring system.
Literature review and the construction of the knowledge framework
In line with this methodological framework, the analysis phase combines a literature review with direct consultation of stakeholders. The literature review is based on secondary data, generally of a public nature: official statistical sources, specific surveys already conducted by other bodies, social and sustainability reports, institutional documentation and materials produced by local organisations. These sources make it possible to reconstruct a comprehensive knowledge framework of the food system, whilst highlighting the typical informational limitations of this field: certain aspects, such as food logistics or consumption at an urban scale, are in fact poorly documented in most municipal contexts. In the case of Trento, the documentary research phase began in mid-May 2026 and will be completed by the end of July.
Consulting stakeholders and the participatory process
In parallel with the literature review, a consultation phase with local stakeholders is planned, designed both to supplement the information gathered and to gain a direct understanding, from the stakeholders’ perspective, of the priority areas for developing a more sustainable food system. This phase, currently being planned, will involve a number of targeted interviews between June and July, whilst the bulk of the consultation process will take place between September and November, through an online questionnaire, a series of focus groups and a town hall meeting. The questionnaire, aimed at the stakeholders identified during the mapping phase, will serve to gather, in advance, information useful for preparing the focus groups. The focus groups will enable the collection, broken down by stakeholder category, of shared views regarding the priorities of the Strategic Plan. The citizens’ assembly will be conducted using the Open Space Technology methodology, a participatory approach widely used in Anglo-Saxon contexts to facilitate large-scale public consultation processes, which encourages participants to self-organise in setting the agenda based on their respective priorities. This tool will enable the exploration of connections between the various stakeholders and the translation of these into concrete proposals to be included in the Plan.
EStà’s contribution
As part of this commission, EStà is providing expertise in research, territorial analysis, participatory planning and the facilitation of multi-stakeholder processes, with the aim of supporting the Municipality in developing a food policy based on evidence, participation and the integration of public policies.
The Strategic Plan for Food Policy is due to be delivered to the Municipality of Trento in December 2026.
