Fund implementation, not only plans, because food initiatives create value only when locations, people, logistics and daily operations are in place. Strategy documents can clarify the direction, but meals, outreach, volunteers and coordination determine whether residents actually benefit.
The Mensa Mensa and food-initiative analyses show that implementation capacity is part of the intervention. Funding should therefore cover more than project design. Stable staffing, kitchen access, communication, purchasing, monitoring and neighbourhood partnerships are needed to turn a promising concept into measurable social value.