The role of public mass catering in local foodshed governance toward self-reliance of Metropolitan regions

European Union policy promotes the redesigning of food systems, with special focus on peri-urban agriculture and the metropolitan regions food self-sufficiency. In this context, the study has evaluated the feasibility of “urban food procurement model” (URP-model); which is prepared based on the institutional mass catering fed by local and short supply chains, considering Milan metropolitan region a case study. A methodology was proposed to assess the potential food-self-reliance, and data-driven and geographical mapping approaches were used to define the foodshed’ borders, on the basis of spatial information about local supply and demand. The URP-Model was evaluated via SWOT analysis with the main actors having a key role in the local food policy and public mass catering management. Results indicated the local supply chains that could be involved into the URP-model and their potential contribution to the public institutions food self-reliance. The related opportunity maps show the extension of foodshed for different foodstuff categories. An overview about the barriers for the URP-model development and about its potential as tool to going toward food smart governance of metropolitan areas, is provided. The results can be effective for the planning of food system by the authorities involved with the public mass catering.