Bursa

In the bustling district of Nilüfer, nestled within Turkey’s industrial heartland, a quiet but pressing challenge has taken root. As the city flourished economically and expanded rapidly, its connection to food—how it’s grown, distributed, and consumed—began to fray. Local farms struggled to survive amid urban sprawl, while residents found it harder to access fresh, healthy produce.

Traditional supply chains became longer and less sustainable, disconnecting people from the sources of their food.

Small-scale farmers, once the backbone of the region’s agriculture, lacked direct access to markets and struggled against the tide of large-scale industrial food systems.

At the same time, food waste mounted, and the knowledge needed to grow and consume food responsibly began to fade. Governance systems weren’t yet equipped to coordinate the wide network of actors—from farmers to academics, NGOs to consumers—needed to build a resilient local food system.

Nilüfer faced a crucial dilemma: how to nourish a growing urban population while preserving the integrity of its land, supporting its farmers, and building a more inclusive, sustainable food future for all.

Nilüfer faced a quiet crisis—modern growth had outpaced its food systems, leaving small farmers sidelined and residents increasingly disconnected from fresh, local produce.

To turn the tide, the Nilufer Food Living Lab (NFLL) was launched in 2021 as a bold, community-powered solution. Instead of top-down fixes, NFLL embraced a collaborative «living lab» model—uniting the municipality, farmers, citizens, businesses, and academia to co-create a more sustainable, inclusive food future.

Together, they built a local food ecosystem from the ground up: a Food Policy Council and Food Commission were formed, empowering diverse voices to shape food strategies. Shorter supply chains began linking small farmers directly to urban consumers, reducing waste and boosting access to affordable, nutritious food.

Agroecological practices took root, and education campaigns brought residents into the fold as informed participants. Backed by EU Horizon 2020’s FUSILLI project, NFLL is proving that a citizen-centred, environmentally mindful approach can nourish both land and community—one meal, one market, one policy at a time.

In Nilüfer, a district once defined by industry, a quiet revolution is taking place—one rooted in soil, community, and shared purpose. With the launch of the Nilufer Food Living Lab (NFLL), the city has begun to rewrite its relationship with food. The impact has been deep and wide-reaching, touching every part of the food ecosystem, from farm to fork and back to the earth.

Through 48 targeted actions and 192 planned activities—128 of which are already implemented—NFLL has engaged producers, consumers, distributors, and policymakers in building a sustainable food culture. On the production side, 17 initiatives have revitalized traditional farming methods while introducing innovative techniques that prioritize sustainability. Local farmers, once struggling in the shadows of economic growth, are now seen as key players in the region’s food security strategy.

For consumers, 9 actions have transformed food access into a shared responsibility. From Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs to Orchard Sales Points selling cooperative-grown goods, residents are no longer passive buyers—they are informed participants in a healthier food future. Markets have been reimagined too, with 11 distribution-focused actions that reduce packaging, cut transportation waste, and connect consumers directly to nearby growers through zero-kilometer farming.

Governance has not been left behind. With 6 strong actions, the Food Policy Council and Commission now give structure and voice to a movement once driven by scattered efforts. Even the problem of food waste has been tackled with 5 key actions, turning scraps into solutions through composting, green waste collection, and guiding restaurants in waste reduction.

Together, these efforts are more than policy—they are people-driven, resilient, and transformative. Nilüfer is not just feeding its population; it is nourishing a future.