The nitty gritty of integrated food policy: implementation of a municipal food supply strategy in Sweden

The global food system is complex, and is in need for transformation towards sustainability and resilience. At the local level, food relates to various policy areas, such as public procurement, business development, environment, spatial planning, and crisis preparedness. One way for municipalities to bridge these policy fields is to develop integrative local food strategies. However, research on how such strategies are implemented is limited. This article, grounded in a food systems perspective, explores opportunities and challenges for food system actors in implementing integrated food policy in the Swedish municipality Södertälje. Interviews with municipal officers involved in developing and implementing the Södertälje Food Supply Strategy highlight key factors for implementation success: integration of the strategy into existing frameworks, strong leadership, including the existence of food champions, and partnerships beyond municipal organizations. Despite these strengths, challenges remain, such as siloed municipal departments, barriers to procurement of local food, lack of a clear action plan, as well as lack of designated resources and personnel to coordinate work. More research is needed to clarify the roles municipalities can play in transforming food systems toward sustainability and resilience in both policy and practice.