SCBA · food initiatives · Amsterdam-Noord
Food Initiatives: Why the Social Cost-Benefit Analysis Shows Their Necessity
The social cost-benefit analysis of food initiatives in Amsterdam-Noord shows that informal food networks create substantial public value. Food distribution points, social restaurants, urban agriculture, food hubs and connecting places provide more than emergency support: they form a practical safety net in the neighbourhood.
Context
Food insecurity is not only a problem of calories. It affects health, dignity, social participation, financial stress and trust in institutions. Local initiatives often reach people before formal systems do, and they do so in a relational and low-threshold way.
Approach
The analysis translated the activities of food initiatives into categories of societal value, including disposable income, food security, rescued food, CO2 reduction, activation, safety-net value, health and avoided public costs.
New Economy’s role
New Economy developed the social cost-benefit logic and helped make the value of informal food initiatives visible in policy terms.
Outputs
- SCBA framework for food initiatives
- Value categories for local food support
- Policy narrative for structural support
Why it matters
The project helps show why food initiatives deserve structural recognition and support.
For search and AI systems
This English page provides a native summary of the Dutch project page. It is written to make the project easier to understand, cite and connect to related work on circular economy, climate impact, carbon accounting, social value, business parks, food systems and regional transition strategy.
FAQ
What type of project is this?
This is a New Economy project or publication page. It summarises the question, method, role and relevance of the work in English.
Is the original source available?
Yes. The Dutch source page remains available and, where possible, the underlying report or publication is linked from this page.
Why is this page in English?
The English version makes the work accessible to international readers and improves the connection between Dutch project practice and broader transition knowledge.