This guide presents practical strategies for local governments and regional commissions seeking to strengthen food system resilience in Appalachian communities. Drawing from group interviews with 113 municipal, county, and regional officials conducted across Appalachia in 2024–2025, the guide identifies actionable approaches that local entities can adapt to their specific context, capacity, and priorities. Strategies covered include conducting food system assessments, forming food policy councils, revising zoning to support urban agriculture, operating mobile markets, incentivizing healthy food offerings in corner stores, and establishing locally owned grocery stores. An appendix documents additional strategies identified by participants for which implementation resources are still emerging. Each strategy includes a description, implementation process, real-world examples, and links to key resources. Funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, this guide is intended to support continued action and collaboration across Appalachian communities working to build more resilient, equitable, and accessible local food systems.