diff --git a/data/json/item_actions.json b/data/json/item_actions.json
index 086813a01f0e0..6ef8357bfa6c1 100644
--- a/data/json/item_actions.json
+++ b/data/json/item_actions.json
@@ -1024,6 +1024,11 @@
     "id": "place_monster",
     "name": "Activate"
   },
+  {
+    "type": "item_action",
+    "id": "place_npc",
+    "name": "Activate"
+  },
   {
     "type": "item_action",
     "id": "place_trap",
diff --git a/doc/JSON_INFO.md b/doc/JSON_INFO.md
index 3c7bb47759715..3905d7b9ae9ab 100644
--- a/doc/JSON_INFO.md
+++ b/doc/JSON_INFO.md
@@ -1851,6 +1851,13 @@ The contents of use_action fields can either be a string indicating a built-in f
     "skill2": "unarmed", // Another id, just like the skill1. Both entries are optional.
     "moves": 60 // how many move points the action takes.
 },
+"use_action": {
+    "type": "place_npc", // place npc of specific class on the map
+    "npc_class_id": "true_foodperson", // npc class id, see npcs/classes.json
+    "summon_msg": "You summon a food hero!", // (optional) message when summoning the npc.
+    "place_randomly": true, // if true: places npc randomly around the player, if false: let the player decide where to put it (default: false)
+    "moves": 50 // how many move points the action takes.
+},
 "use_action": {
     "type": "ups_based_armor", // Armor that can be activated and uses power from an UPS, needs additional json code to work
     "activate_msg": "You activate your foo.", // Message when the player activates the item.
diff --git a/src/item_factory.cpp b/src/item_factory.cpp
index 55f0ea6cc86c3..2427452933254 100644
--- a/src/item_factory.cpp
+++ b/src/item_factory.cpp
@@ -795,6 +795,7 @@ void Item_factory::init()
     add_actor( std::make_unique<pick_lock_actor>() );
     add_actor( std::make_unique<deploy_furn_actor>() );
     add_actor( std::make_unique<place_monster_iuse>() );
+    add_actor( std::make_unique<place_npc_iuse>() );
     add_actor( std::make_unique<reveal_map_actor>() );
     add_actor( std::make_unique<salvage_actor>() );
     add_actor( std::make_unique<unfold_vehicle_iuse>() );
diff --git a/src/iuse_actor.cpp b/src/iuse_actor.cpp
index 11d0f9db113fc..ced80ef91af46 100644
--- a/src/iuse_actor.cpp
+++ b/src/iuse_actor.cpp
@@ -859,6 +859,45 @@ std::unique_ptr<iuse_actor> ups_based_armor_actor::clone() const
     return std::make_unique<ups_based_armor_actor>( *this );
 }
 
+std::unique_ptr<iuse_actor> place_npc_iuse::clone() const
+{
+    return std::make_unique<place_npc_iuse>( *this );
+}
+
+void place_npc_iuse::load( const JsonObject &obj )
+{
+    npc_class_id = string_id<npc_template>( obj.get_string( "npc_class_id" ) );
+    obj.read( "summon_msg", summon_msg );
+    obj.read( "moves", moves );
+    obj.read( "place_randomly", place_randomly );
+}
+
+int place_npc_iuse::use( player &p, item &, bool, const tripoint & ) const
+{
+    cata::optional<tripoint> target_pos;
+    if( place_randomly ) {
+        const tripoint_range target_range = points_in_radius( p.pos(), 1 );
+        target_pos = random_point( target_range, []( const tripoint & t ) {
+            return !g->m.passable( t );
+        } );
+    } else {
+        const std::string query = _( "Place npc where?" );
+        target_pos = choose_adjacent( _( "Place npc where?" ) );
+    }
+    if( !target_pos ) {
+        return 0;
+    }
+    if( !g->m.passable( target_pos.value() ) ) {
+        p.add_msg_if_player( m_info, _( "There is no square to spawn npc in!" ) );
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    g->m.place_npc( target_pos.value().xy(), npc_class_id );
+    p.mod_moves( -moves );
+    p.add_msg_if_player( m_info, "%s", _( summon_msg ) );
+    return 1;
+}
+
 void ups_based_armor_actor::load( const JsonObject &obj )
 {
     obj.read( "activate_msg", activate_msg );
diff --git a/src/iuse_actor.h b/src/iuse_actor.h
index 914830a8682fc..4b72ccb685c58 100644
--- a/src/iuse_actor.h
+++ b/src/iuse_actor.h
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 #include "explosion.h"
 #include "game_constants.h"
 #include "iuse.h"
+class npc_template;
 #include "ret_val.h"
 #include "string_id.h"
 #include "translations.h"
@@ -310,6 +311,24 @@ class place_monster_iuse : public iuse_actor
         std::unique_ptr<iuse_actor> clone() const override;
 };
 
+/**
+ * This iuse contains the logic to summon an npc on the map.
+ */
+class place_npc_iuse : public iuse_actor
+{
+    public:
+        string_id<npc_template> npc_class_id;
+        bool place_randomly = false;
+        int moves = 100;
+        std::string summon_msg;
+
+        place_npc_iuse() : iuse_actor( "place_npc" ) { }
+        ~place_npc_iuse() override = default;
+        void load( const JsonObject &obj ) override;
+        int use( player &, item &, bool, const tripoint & ) const override;
+        std::unique_ptr<iuse_actor> clone() const override;
+};
+
 /**
  * Items that can be worn and can be activated to consume energy from UPS.
  * Note that the energy consumption is done in @ref player::process_active_items, it is