Urban Food Systems and the Pandemic: Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Food Systems and Adaptive Measures Practiced in Metro Manila

To assess how the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic manifested across the food systems in Metro Manila, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) jointly undertook this research. It covered impact experiences, emerging adaptive practices and evidence base of transformation of Metro Manila’s food systems amid the COVID-19 crisis.

This synthesis report and policy brief presents the key findings from this research assessment and provides recommendations to address challenges and issues to facilitate holistic and robust transformations.

These recommendations will also inform the implementation of the United Nations’ updated Cooperation Framework with the Philippines—the Socioeconomic and Peacebuilding Framework for COVID-19 Recovery in the Philippines (SEPF). The SEPF, which was endorsed by the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in 2020, is the UN Philippines' blueprint for supporting the country to recover from the pandemic, while keeping the country on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in a manner that leaves no one behind.