How to access land for producing organic food? Land policy options grounded in Torres Vedras, Portugal

Abstract

Organic food demand in Portugal swiftly increases due to local governments willingness to include organic and locally produced food in school meals. We argue that local production is limited because there are no multi-sector or multi-actors approaches regarding land access, a necessity to secure local organic food supply. Based on a stakeholder's mapping approach and semi-structured interviews and taking Torres Vedras as a pilot study we conclude that local policies require a bundle of instruments which should be made suitable for local realities. Nevertheless, local authorities have a key-role to play as facilitators for accessing land for organic food production.