The year-long project, running from July 2025 to July 2026 that seeks to Institutionalize the food systems office at Lusaka City Council will work closely with Lusaka City Council (LCC) to develop a mechanism for better coordination and integration of food systems in the city. The initiative focuses on three key interventions:
1. To strengthen the Lusaka Food Policy Council
2. To establish an office/desk at Lusaka City Council that will manage stakeholder coordination and be a
mechanism for the city council to mainstream food systems work in their day-to-day activities
3. To pilot an intervention in Chilenje market that will be used to build coordination efforts with other
stakeholders in the food system space
Lusaka’s food system is shaped by rapid urbanization, high dependency on surrounding rural districts for fresh produce, and a network of formal and informal markets. With limited land available for urban agriculture, the city relies heavily on nearby regions to feed its growing population. Informal markets remain the primary source of affordable food, though they often operate with limited food safety oversight. At the same time, the expansion of supermarkets is reshaping consumer habits.
Infrastructure challenges, including inadequate storage and poor transportation, continue to contribute to food loss and waste. Meanwhile, food insecurity persists—especially in low-income areas—highlighting the need for systemic interventions.
City authorities have expressed a strong desire to improve planning and coordination around food systems but face institutional limitations. One of the critical gaps identified is the absence of a dedicated mechanism within the City Council to support cross-sectoral coordination, policy coherence, and inclusive decision-making on food systems.
In 2020, Hivos and CUTS supported the establishment of the Lusaka Food Policy Council as a participatory governance structure to address food systems challenges. However, the council faced operational challenges that limited its effectiveness.