The declaration of València as the World Sustainable Food Capital in 2017, based on the market-gardening system of l’Horta — an area girding the city, has put key subjects such as sustainable production and healthy eating on the public agenda. The process leading up to the declaration (which is in part a heritage-based project) has been fraught with contradictions and conflicts stemming from the city’s political, economic and identity dimensions. Examining this process from a Social Sciences angle is of value not only in drawing lessons but also for spawning debating forums in which solutions can be proposed.