The food pledge
Birmingham City Council supports the right to food for all. In 2021, a pledge was launched by Birmingham City Council at the 7th Milan Urban Food Policy Pact Global Forum as a response to the lessons of food insecurity learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the pledge is to collaborate and put political weight into the voices of cities in national and international arenas. It emphasises the need for local, national, and international policies which create and support an affordable, nutritious and sustainable food system for all citizens, irrespective of social or economic grouping.
Birmingham is encouraging cities of all sizes across the world to pledge and work together to consider how cities can politically commit to the right to food and work to improve the whole food system, opposed to individual issues, so that it is fairer, healthier and more sustainable.
We need to work together to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 to “end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture” and ensure that the right to food is enshrined in city food policy.
Global Cities pledge on food justice:
“As city mayors, we are committed to addressing food justice by acknowledging that all our citizens irrespective of status are entitled to safe and nutritious food at all times. We recognise the benefits of a collaborative partnership to address the global challenge of food insecurity exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate crisis, and disaster displacement.”
If you are a city that wishes to join us in signing the pledge, email FoodSystemPH@birmingham.gov.uk with the email title ‘City Pledge Commitment’.
Page last updated: 19 October 2023
