Table 1_Frameworks and methodologies for food policy evaluation: a systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature (2015–2026).docx

Publication output increased overall during the review period, particularly after 2020. Methodologies are diverse yet fragmented: indicator-based frameworks (e.g., FAO’s Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture Systems and the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact indicators) are widely used to measure environmental, economic, social, and governance outcomes, while participatory and co-design elements (e.g., SAEMETH) form a recurrent cross-cutting strand in which the study authors report gains in stakeholder relevance and policy acceptance.

Persistent challenges include limited data availability, difficulties integrating qualitative and quantitative metrics, and the need to tailor approaches to local contexts.</p>Discussion<p>The review highlights an urgent need for more user-friendly and adaptable evaluation tools to bridge the gap between academic frameworks and real-world policy implementation; policymakers are advised to invest in data collection capacity and stakeholder engagement.

Guidance documents and monitoring tools issued by governments, international organizations, and city networks enter the analysis through the included studies that apply, adapt, or assess them. This study contributes an analytical classification framework spanning the four coded dimensions and the purpose-based stratification, offering a replicable basis for future research toward more robust, inclusive, and evidence-based food policy assessments.</p>