food sustainability action plan for middlesbrough

Transcription

1 food sustainability action plan for middlesbrough

2 CONTENTS A. BACKGROUND TO THE FOOD SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN 3 B. AIM OF THE ACTION PLAN 8 C. OBJECTIVES OF THE ACTION PLAN 9 D. DEVELOPMENT OF THE ACTION PLAN 10 E. SUMMARY OF THE THEMES 11 F. STRATEGIC CONTEXT FOR THE ACTION PLAN 13 G. ACTION PLANS FOR THE THEMES 17 H. ACTION PLAN MANAGEMENT 26 I. FINDING OUT MORE 27 CASE STUDIES 28 2

3 A. BACKGROUND TO THE FOOD SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN 1. For most people living in the UK, access to the food we want to eat, when we want it, is something that is taken for granted. Since the 1950 s the relative cost of food, as part of total household income, has decreased and the range and variety of foods available has broadened. However, the systems of production and supply of food are extremely, and increasingly, complex and highly vulnerable to change. Also, the choices we make about food have far reaching consequences for our health and well-being and the prosperity and well-being of others. Some of the issues that highlight this complexity and vulnerability are as follows: Cheaper food prices in the UK have been driven by the intensification of farming systems. Whilst this has had many benefits in terms of reducing costs and broadening availability of food, it has had serious environmental consequences. These include loss of wildlife habitats, reduction in the fertility of soils and the pollution of watercourses by fertilizer run-off. Modern systems of food production rely very heavily on fossil fuels. This includes methods of growing and harvesting, production of man-made fertilizers and the transport of produce. As fuel prices increase, so the cost of food can also be expected to rise. Modern farming systems are also vulnerable to the effects of climate change. For example intensive production is often reliant upon availability of a water supply and fluctuations in weather conditions can significantly affect crop yields. Food production has become a global business. More produce is now being transported around the planet, either as a result of changes in consumer demand or availability of food supplies. The greater availability of food has not always led to better choices of food made by consumers. Increases in the consumption of saturated fat, sugary foods and salt have all had serious health consequences and the health effects of obesity are becoming one of the biggest burdens on the National Health Service. Middlesbrough has a particular issue with growing levels of obesity. 3

4 Low prices and greater availability have sometimes been achieved through the exploitation of others, especially in developing countries. On a global scale, this has contributed to loss of sustainable farming systems, soil erosion and deforestation. Tackling waste is a priority at a national and local level. With increasing recycling of inert materials such as metal, plastic, glass and paper, food waste has become the single largest source of waste sent to landfill or incineration. Although food manufacturers are keen to minimise packaging to reduce their costs, there is still significant packaging associated with food. This includes the packaging associated with fast foods, which is not generally recycled. 2. In effect, as food has become more affordable and readily accessible, so people have become separated from its production, supply and preparation. There is a need to create supply chains that are more locally based, to promote healthier living and develop food systems that are sustainable socially, economically and environmentally. Table 1 includes some national facts about food production. 3. Locally, here in Middlesbrough, the complexity of the food system is already having an impact and it will continue to do so. It is likely that the cost of food will rise, placing financial burdens on households that may already be struggling in difficult times of austerity and which may be facing reductions in household income. Obesity levels in Middlesbrough are already high and will continue to grow if action does not continue to be taken. Poor diet, along with low levels of physical exercise, is one of the key causes of obesity. Highly successful interventions such as the Healthy Town Programme and Healthy Eating initiatives in schools and communities are making a real difference. Middlesbrough has already attained Fairtrade Town status and retaining this is a priority. The town has already made significant improvements in recycling rates and reducing food waste provides opportunities to improve waste reduction and recycling rates still further. 4

5 4. Potentially, a combination of factors could lead to a rise in food poverty in Middlesbrough. Food poverty can be defined as the inability to obtain healthy affordable food. This may be because people lack shops in their area or have trouble reaching them. Other factors influencing food access are the availability of a range of healthy goods in local shops, income, transport, fear of crime, knowledge about what constitutes a healthy diet, and the skills to create healthy meals. 5. The Action Plan will need to fit within the existing policy framework of Middlesbrough Council. In particular, the Action Plan fits within the Local and Sustainable Food theme of the One Planet Living Action Plan. There are also close links to the Climate Change Community Action Plan. 5

6 Table 1: Some facts about food in the UK Economy The public sector in England spends around 2 billion per year on providing food and drink to service users, staff, the general public, clients and visitors. 1 The NHS spends over 300 million on food and 500 million on catering overall each year. 2 Agriculture and food processing is worth over 80 billion to the UK economy and is our largest manufacturing sector. 3.6 million people are employed in food production. 3 The food industry employs 12.5% of the UK workforce. 4 Expenditure on school food is estimated at 1.2 billion annually. 5 Health 90% of people say that eating healthily is important to them, but only 14% of us eat the recommended 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day. 6 Almost two-thirds of adults and a third of children in England are overweight or obese, leading to increasing risks of diabetes, cancer and heart and liver disease. 7 If no action is taken, it is predicted that 60% of men, 50% of women and 25% of children would be obese by Direct costs to the NHS of obesity and overweight are estimated to be 4.2 billion and Foresight have forecast that this will more than double by 2050 if we continue as we are. 9 Foresight estimated that weight problems already cost the wider economy in the region of 16 billion, and that this will rise to 50 billion per year by 2050 if left unchecked. 10 continued on next page... 1 Smarter Food Procurement in the Public Sector, NAO, Smarter Food Procurement in the Public Sector, NAO, Food 2023: How We Get There, Defra, Food Industry Sustainability Strategy, Defra, A Fresh Look at School Food Procurement Efficiency and Sustainability, School Food Trust, Food 2023: How We Get There- Defra Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives, Department of Health, Tackling Obesities: Future Choices project, Foresight report, 2007, quoted in Healthimprovement/Obesity/DH_ Healthimprovement/Obesity/DH_ Healthimprovement/Obesity/DH_

7 Table 1: Some facts about food in the UK continued Climate Change The food and drink sector is estimated to be responsible for generating 18% of the UK s greenhouse gas emissions. 11 If all UK farmland was converted to organic farming, at least 3.2 million tonnes of carbon would be taken up by the soil each year - the equivalent of taking nearly 1 million cars off the road. 12 Widespread adoption of organic farming practices in the UK would offset 23% of UK agricultural emissions through soil carbon sequestration alone. 13 Food accounts for 25% of the distance travelled by lorries in the UK, and 12 billion miles driven a year by consumers. The social and environmental costs of food transport - including significant greenhouse gas emissions - are 9 billion a year. 14 The food industry contributes about 14% of energy consumption by UK businesses and 7 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year. 15 Food Waste The food industry is responsible for about 10% of the industrial and commercial waste stream. 16 In the UK we throw away 8.3 million tonnes of food and drink every year. Less than a fifth is truly unavoidable. 2.2 million tonnes is thrown away due to cooking, preparing or serving too much and a further 2.9 million tonnes is thrown away because it was not used in time. 17 In the UK we spend 12 billion every year buying and then throwing away good food. That works out at 480 for the average UK household, increasing to 680 a year for households with children an average of just over 50 a month. 18 Throwing away food that could have been eaten is responsible for the equivalent of 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year that s the same as the carbon dioxide emitted by one in every four cars on UK roads. 19 Government aims to recycle or compost 45% of household waste by 2015 and 50% by A Fresh Look at School Food Procurement Efficiency and Sustainability- School Food Trust, Soil Carbon and Organic Farming: A Review of the Evidence of Agriculture s Potential to Combat Climate Change- Soil Association, Soil Carbon and Organic Farming: A review of the evidence of agriculture s potential to combat climate change- Soil Association, Food Industry Sustainability Strategy, Defra, Food Industry Sustainability Strategy, Defra, Waste Strategy for England, Defra, 2007 consultation draft february

8 B. AIM OF THE ACTION PLAN 6. The overall aim of the Food Sustainability Action Plan for Middlesbrough is: To make food a valued resource, where production, supply and use in Middlesbrough is sustainable economically, socially and environmentally. 8

9 C. OBJECTIVES OF THE ACTION PLAN 7. The above aim will be reached through the achievement of the following objectives: To raise awareness of the central economic, social and environmental role of food amongst Middlesbrough residents and businesses; To increase the amount of fresh produce that is grown and sourced locally by local people and businesses; To promote healthy eating and improve access to healthier food options in Middlesbrough; To promote the use of Fairtrade and ethical food alternatives; To reduce the amount of food waste, including packaging, that is either landfilled or sent for incineration. 9

10 D. DEVELOPMENT OF THE ACTION PLAN 8. The Food Sustainability Action Plan was developed through a partnership approach engaging a range of organisations from the public, private and voluntary and community sectors. The key stages in development were as follows: An initial scoping session with partners was undertaken in December 2009 in order to agree the full breadth of the Action Plan and identify the principal areas to be addressed. Middlesbrough Environment City working with Middlesbrough Council and NHS Middlesbrough then developed an outline draft for consultation with key partners. Consultation took place with key partner organisations to ensure that an accurate draft was produced that was suitable for wider public consultation. The consultation draft was then used for wider consultation with partners and the general public. As part of the consultation process, presentations and consultation exercises were undertaken with specific interest groups. Views of the public were also obtained through the One Planet Living Action Plan consultation. Finally, the Action Plan was agreed by Middlesbrough Council as the lead partner in its delivery. 10

11 E. SUMMARY OF THE THEMES 9. The Action Plan is divided into four themes that reflect the need to make food systems sustainable socially, economically and environmentally. These themes are as follows: Theme 1 Promoting Local Supply 10. This theme focuses on maximising the provision of food from local sources. This includes increasing the number of residents growing their own produce. The theme also involves encouraging more catering and retail outlets in the public, private and voluntary sectors to procure local produce, where local is broadly defined as within 50 miles of Middlesbrough. This theme is the most underdeveloped of the four and therefore there is a stronger emphasis on the actions. Theme 2 Encouraging Healthy Eating 11. Theme 2 considers the actions needed to encourage healthier eating in Middlesbrough. At a community level this includes community education and the provision of healthier options in community cafés, schools and other local facilities. On a larger scale, it also considers ways of encouraging large retail and catering outlets to promote healthy eating, inform customers about the nutritional value of products and stock a wider range of healthier options. This area of work has already been well developed by Middlesbrough Council and NHS Middlesbrough, including through the Food4Health initiative. For example, the Healthy Cooking Skills Programme run by the Council s Community Protection Service has already trained over 70 local people who work or volunteer in the community to become Food4Health trainers. The new trainers are delivering community cooking sessions. Middlesbrough also has a successful Healthy Schools Programme which includes parent and child cooking classes. The Theme links closely with the Health and Happiness theme of the One Planet Living Action Plan. Within this document, the existing actions are reinforced and supported rather than a raft of additional actions developed. 11

12 Theme 3 Delivering Fairly Traded and Ethical Supply 12. This theme links closely with the existing Fairtrade programme in Middlesbrough. The town achieved Fairtrade status in 2007 and there is an active Fairtrade Group which develops a workplan each year and monitors its implementation. The implementation of the Theme supports the Fairtrade workplan but also addresses wider international ethical issues that are not covered by Fairtrade. It links closely with the Equity and Local Economy theme of the One Planet Living Action Plan. Theme 4 Tackling Food Waste 13. The final theme of the Action Plan focuses on dealing with the waste materials arising from the production, distribution and consumption of food. It uses the waste hierarchy of reduce, reuse and recycle in order to address the issues both of waste food itself, but also tackling excess packaging on food. There will be a close link to the Zero Waste theme of the One Planet Living Action Plan. 12

13 F. STRATEGIC CONTEXT FOR THE ACTION PLAN Sustainable Community Strategy 14. The breadth of impact of food is demonstrated through the number of themes of the Sustainable Community Strategy to which it relates, with links to five of the six themes. 15. The strongest linkages are to: Theme 4 Promoting Adult Health and Well-being, Tackling Exclusion and Promoting Equality In particular, the Action Plan will contribute to tackling obesity through healthy eating and increasing physical exercise. There is also a link to improved mental well-being through, for example, the benefits of gardening and physical activity. Theme 6 Securing Environmental Sustainability The Action Plan links to priorities around reducing carbon emissions, reducing household waste and increasing household waste recycling rates. There is the opportunity to contribute to creating a network of high quality open spaces through food growing projects. 16. Other linkages are to: Theme 1 Creating Stronger Communities There are opportunities for cultural activities linked to food and also volunteering opportunities related to food growing, distribution and preparation. Theme 3 Supporting Children and Young People The Action Plan will link closely to the Be Healthy strand, through promoting healthy eating and physical activity. Involvement in food projects will also contribute to the Enjoy and Achieve strand. Theme 5 Enhancing the Local Economy There are links through developing local food systems and social enterprises, working with local businesses on sustainable food and the impact of food transport. 13

14 One Planet Living Action Plan 17. One Planet Living is the sustainability framework adopted by Middlesbrough Council and its partners to enhance social and economic well-being within the carrying capacity of the planet. There will be a direct correlation between the Food Sustainability Action Plan and the Local and Sustainable Food Theme of the One Planet Living Action Plan, which is described further in Section 8 on management of delivery of the Action Plan. There will also be links to the following themes: Zero Waste (linked to Tackling Food Waste); Equity and Local Economy (linked to Fairtrade and Ethical Production); and Health and Happiness (linked to Healthy Eating). Middlesbrough Council Sustainable Procurement Strategy 18. Middlesbrough Council has a Sustainable Procurement Strategy that provides a framework for building environmental, social and economic sustainability into purchasing decisions. The Sustainable Procurement Strategy provides a mechanism to embed the Action Plan into the purchasing decision-making of the Council. Middlesbrough Allotments Strategy 19. The Allotments Strategy was refreshed in 2010 and provides a framework for the regeneration of the town s allotments, including opportunities to broaden interest in allotments from sectors of the community not widely represented. The Allotments Strategy has informed particularly Theme 1 on Promoting Local Supply. Middlesbrough Public Health Strategy 20. Links to the Public Health Strategy are made principally through the priority of tackling obesity through the promotion of healthy eating, linked to Theme 2 of the Action Plan. There is also potentially a link to Theme 1 through encouraging greater physical exercise associated with food growing at home or on allotments. 14

15 Healthy Town Programme 21. The Middlesbrough Healthy Town Programme ran between 2008 and 2011 and was focussed on tackling obesity through increasing physical exercise and promoting healthy eating. The learning from the projects in the Urban Farming Theme and the wider programme of activity, which was extensively evaluated, has been included in the development of the Action Plan. Middlesbrough Fairtrade Action Plan 22. Middlesbrough became a Fairtrade Town in March 2007 and has renewed its status each year since then. In order to retain the accolade, the town has to meet a number of criteria. These criteria include the Council passing a resolution supporting Fairtrade and using Fairtrade tea and coffee in all of its meetings, widespread support for the campaign amongst all sectors, a strong promotional campaign and support for Fairtrade Fortnight. In addition, the town has to demonstrate that there are a number of retail and catering outlets supplying two or more Fairtrade products. The precise number is dependent upon population; Middlesbrough is currently required to have 28 retail and 14 catering outlets, a target which it meets comfortably. The programme is overseen by the Fairtrade Group, chaired by the Council s Executive Member for Community Protection, with support provided by Middlesbrough Environment City. Each year the group develops a Delivery Plan to maintain the status, which forms the basis of the fourth theme of the Food Sustainability Action Plan. 15

16 Joint Waste Management Strategy 23. Middlesbrough Council along with its four Tees Valley neighbours shares a Joint Waste Management Strategy which includes consideration of food waste composting. The partners are also looking at waste disposal options which will best serve the needs of the area particularly after 2020 when the current waste disposal contract terminates. Integral to this process is consideration of the various waste streams some of which are already separated out for specific treatment. Currently food waste is not one of those waste streams and is usually disposed of to incineration with energy recovery. 24. Treatment options being considered include Anaerobic Digestion and with the development of such facilities in the region, this looks increasingly attractive and offers the potential to treat food waste and produce an end product rather than the current disposal route. Clearly an important consideration will be the additional cost of this process and any associated new collection arrangements. 16

17 G. ACTION PLANS FOR THE THEMES 25. Tables 2 to 5 provide a list of the Food Sustainability Action Plan priorities for Middlesbrough. 17

18 Theme 1: Promoting Local Supply Lead: Mark Fishpool, Director, Middlesbrough Environment City Objectives Activity area Proposed Actions Success Criteria Promote the Encourage Work with local community organisations and other partners to promote positive production and greater food messages about locally produced food to local communities. use of locally growing amongst sourced produce communities. Maximise the availability of growing space on existing allotment sites across the 95% of allotment plots back in use by throughout the town. March borough. Ensure that existing allotment sites meet the needs of users, for example through Ensure local food the creation of community plots and plot sharing. supplies are sustainable. Increase the amount of local space available for food growing through the creation Create an additional 20 growing areas of new community gardens and school growing areas. on backland and other community sites by March Encourage growing in the street environment, including back alleys. Support individuals who grow their own produce at home through the provision of Provide accredited training in growing advice and training. skills to at least 50 people each year. Develop training facilities for growers at allotments sites and at high profile sites Develop the Vocational Training Centre such as Nature s World, Stewart Park and Newham Grange Country Farm. at Stewart Park by March Establish community orchards on underused land. 18

19 Theme 1: Promoting Local Supply continued Objectives Activity area Proposed Actions Success Criteria Develop commercial level cropping and animal husbandry. Explore the opportunities for cropping on unused agricultural land owned by Middlesbrough Council, for example through the development of Community Supported Agriculture initiatives. Explore opportunities for crop production and meat/dairy production at Newham Grange Country Farm and Nature s World. Develop markets for local produce. Lobby both large and small retailers to stock locally produced food. Promote the use of seasonal produce in menu planning, for example in schools, public sector organisations and restaurants. Introduce seasonal menus into 5 establishments by March Encourage key public sector organisations to source local produce. Develop local social enterprise models to encourage local market development and to create volunteering and employment opportunities. Create a social enterprise in food growing by March Develop farmers and local producer markets, including Nature s World. Support the existing Farmer s Market and seek to develop a second venue by March Work with local producers and suppliers to develop local markets for produce, including through the development of community-led food cooperatives. Develop a labeling or accreditation scheme for suppliers and users of local produce. 19

20 Theme 1: Promoting Local Supply continued Objectives Activity area Proposed Actions Success Criteria Seek to reduce the ecological footprint of food consumption Middlesbrough. Establish a baseline for the ecological footprint of food consumption in Middlesbrough. Monitor the ecological footprint of food consumption in the town as part of the One Planet Living process. 20

21 Theme 2: Encouraging Healthy Eating Lead: Wayne Flowers, Principal Environmental Health Officer, Community Protection Service, Middlesbrough Council Objectives Activity area Proposed Actions Success Criteria Enable and empower individuals to make healthier choices in relation to food. Promote the benefits of a healthy balanced diet. Ensure healthier choices are affordable, available, and accessible to all residents particularly those in more deprived areas. Provide education and awareness to inform residents about healthy food choices. Improve access to healthy food choices. Develop healthy eating education programmes at a community level, including specialist programmes directed at specific hard-to-reach groups. Work with schools to implement, expand and maintain Healthy Schools Award. Food4Health: Healthy eating Awards Scheme for food businesses in Middlesbrough was launched in March It encourages and supports businesses that want to provide customers with healthy food options and allows them to make more informed food choices. Businesses are also encouraged to promote healthy eating. Promote a greater emphasis on vegetable based diets, including for example the introduction of Meat Free days on school menus. Map fresh food deserts within Middlesbrough, where good quality, affordable, fresh fruit and vegetables cannot be accessed within 1 km. Develop food cooperatives in areas where access to good quality, affordable fresh produce is limited, encouraging use of local produce. Continue to promote healthy options in schools through the highly successful Healthy Schools Programme, including parent and child cooking classes. Sign up 100 food businesses in Middlesbrough in 2011/12. Meat Free days introduced to five schools by March Establish 20 new food cooperatives by March

22 Theme 2: Encouraging Healthy Eating Continued Objectives Activity area Proposed Actions Success Criteria Develop healthy cooking skills. Continue to develop and expand the Healthy Cooking Skills programme, providing training for more local people as trainers, who can then deliver sessions in their communities. Continue to support Food4Health trainers and run Cooking in the Community sessions. Develop healthy eating in workplaces/ educational establishments. Pilot community healthy eating initiatives using local produce, for example in community centres and on allotments. Develop healthy eating within the Workplace Health Award. Set up a local produce healthy eating initiative by December At least 10 businesses signed up and supported in 2011/12. Develop employer incentive schemes for providing healthy choices in the workplace. Targeted activity at children that is not school related such as nurseries and SureStart Centres. Addressing the obesogenic environment. Linking with Planning Policy to address planning in relation to health, including issues such as density of fast food outlets and proximity of such outlets to schools. 22

23 Theme 3: Delivering Fairly Traded and Ethical Supply Lead: Mark Fishpool, Director, Middlesbrough Environment City Objectives Activity area Proposed Actions Success Criteria Promote Promoting the Ensure Middlesbrough Council maintains the use of Fairtrade products at events On-going use of Fairtrade tea, coffee Middlesbrough as use of Fairtrade and meetings. and sugar in Council buildings. a Fairtrade town. and ethical products. Ensure that there are sufficient catering outlets stocking two Fairtrade products Maintain 28 retail and 14 catering Promote the use and retail outlets stocking four Fairtrade products to meet the requirements of the outlets as a minimum. of other ethically Fairtrade Foundation. traded food products. Support Fairtrade Fortnight each year. Retain Fairtrade Support other public sector organisations, businesses and VCS organisations to Town status. promote and use Fairtrade products. Run an annual programme of events and activities that promote Fairtrade across Run at least three promotional Middlesbrough, including regular updating of the Fairtrade website. campaigns each year. Promote the use of other ethically traded products in Middlesbrough. 23

24 Theme 4: Tackling Food Waste Lead: Philip Shaw, Recycling Officer, Streetscene Services, Middlesbrough Council Objectives Activity area Proposed Actions Success Criteria Reduce the Discourage food Use existing campaigns, such as Love Food Hate Waste, to help reduce over- Organise and attend 10 roadshows to amount of food over-purchasing. purchasing and the consequent generation of food waste. promote existing campaigns each year. waste that provides energy Seek to minimise Use existing campaigns to encourage me-sized portions. from waste or is food waste and landfilled. maximise the Promote the reuse of meal left overs through educational campaigns, including reuse and through links to the Food4Health campaign. Increase the recycling of food. amount of food Map locations and sources of food waste handling facilities, to inform future Map locations to inform future waste that is possibilities for the introduction of kerbside food waste collection. possibilities for the introduction of recycled. kerbside food waste collection. Explore additional opportunities for kerbside collection of waste, such as kitchen See above. waste. Explore opportunities for a demonstration anaerobic digestion system locally. Maximise uptake of existing recycling provision through continuing promotional and educational activities, including through EcoSchools. Continue to promote home composting in Middlesbrough through awareness- Continue promotional campaigns and raising and training. set up 10 composting facilities in schools and community locations each year. 24

25 Theme 4: Tackling Food Waste Continued Objectives Activity area Proposed Actions Success Criteria Work with Fare Share North East to redistribute commercial food surpluses. Set up a distribution scheme by March Seek to reduce excess food packaging and maximise its reuse and recycling. Lobbying national government for action in relation to the amount, type and use of packaging at source, to ensure that packaging is fit for purpose without becoming excessive. Promote behavioural change to encourage the purchasing of food with less packaging, through promotional campaigns. Encourage the use of reusable (and Fairtrade) bags. Increase the purchase of fresh produce with minimal packaging. Work with local retailers to explore ways of reducing excess packaging. 25

26 H. ACTION PLAN MANAGEMENT 26. It is recognised that the development of this Action Plan has taken place in a time of economic difficulties when resources, both in terms of staffing and funding to implement activities, are limited. Throughout the development of the Action Plan, consideration has been given to minimising the resources needed to manage implementation and monitor the achievement of the priorities. The Action Plan seeks to: Support existing groups and structures to take ownership of the themes and avoid the creation of new groups; Link in with the priorities of other strategy documents, where appropriate, in order to minimise the number of actions and performance measures; Use a small number of easily measured headline indicators of success to measure performance, rather than seeking to measure every action; Report progress through the One Planet Living framework for performance management. 27. The prudent use of resources dictates that the Food Action Plan should be aligned with the Local and Sustainable Food theme of the One Planet Living Action Plan and that the existing Middlesbrough Urban Farming Group remit and membership should be reconfigured to encompass the implementation of the Action Plan. 26

27 28. The management of the Action Plan is therefore proposed as follows: Reconfigure the existing Healthy Town Urban Farming Theme Group, broadening membership to include representation of all four themes of the Action Plan, and with a remit aligned to the Local and Sustainable Food theme of the One Planet Living Action Plan. Linking closely with the Middlesbrough Fairtrade Group, through the common membership of Middlesbrough Environment City. The delivery of Fairtrade actions from the Action Plan will be through the Middlesbrough Fairtrade Group. Identifying an appropriate linkage into the Middlesbrough Local Strategic Partnership, through either the Securing Environmental Sustainability or Promoting Adult Health and Well-being, Tackling Exclusion and Promoting Equality themes. Day to day management of the Action Plan to be undertaken by Middlesbrough Environment City, through existing commissioning arrangements. I. FINDING OUT MORE 29. More information about the Food Sustainability Action Plan and food-related activities can be obtained by contacting Middlesbrough Environment City on (01642) or by at mec.info@classmail.co.uk 27

28 CASE STUDIES 28

29 Promoting Local Supply Middlesbrough Urban Farming Programme Building on the success of the DOTT (Design of the Times) 07 campaign, Middlesbrough has been running an annual programme of community food growing activities across the town each year since This has been a partnership approach, with projects being undertaken by Middlesbrough Council, Middlesbrough Environment City, Groundwork South Tees and community partners such as Teesside Homeless Action Group and Easterside Partnership. The programme has been supported by the Middlesbrough Healthy Town Programme over the last two years, funded by the Department of Health, Middlesbrough Council and NHS Middlesbrough. Activities have included providing training and support for community groups and individuals to grow their own produce, including through the development of training allotment sites at Town Farm Allotments, Saltersgill Allotments and People s Park in west Middlesbrough. There has also been a programme to bring redundant allotment plots back into use and help for residents to grow their own produce in back alleys, with support from the Back Alleys Improvement Team. Larger projects underway include the development of the Stewart Park Walled Garden as a vocational training centre in horticulture, work to build healthy, local food into the visitor facilities at Nature s World and the creation of community allotments at Newham Grange Country Farm. The focus of the Urban Farming Programme each year has been the Town Meal, where over 100 growers donate produce, which is then prepared into a delicious meal to be enjoyed by the growers themselves and other visitors to the event. The Town Meal in 2009 was held in Centre Square and attracted over 10,000 people, with 3,000 trying out meals made from locally grown produce. There were also a range of cooking demonstrations and other activities to encourage people to live a healthy lifestyle. 29

30 Encouraging Healthy Eating Food4Health Campaign As part of the Middlesbrough Healthy Town Programme Middlesbrough Council s Healthy Living Team has developed a project called Food4Health. The purpose of Food4Health is to promote healthy eating, help people develop cooking skills and give people the ability to make more informed and healthier food choices. The project has two different elements: - Food4Health Healthy Cooking Skills - Food4Health Healthy Eating Awards for Food Businesses Food4Health Healthy Cooking Skills aims to help people develop basic healthier cooking skills in order to improve eating habits, tackle obesity levels and address other diet related problems in the town. Healthy Cooking Skills is delivered in partnership with Middlesbrough College. It is a training course which is designed for people who either work or volunteer within the community. People who attend the training are provided with the skills and knowledge to deliver Healthy Cooking Sessions to their community groups. Food4Health Healthy Eating Awards are available to all food businesses in Middlesbrough, except retailers of pre-packed foods. The awards aim to make food generally healthier and make it easier for customers to make informed choices when eating out. A Food4Health website has also been created as a central resource for both trainers and members of the community and is continuously updated with advice and guidance around healthy eating and nutrition. 30

31 Delivering Fairly Traded and Ethical Supply Fairtrade in Middlesbrough Fairtrade is an international programme that ensures that producers in developing countries receive a fair price for their products. Fairtrade products are certified by the Fairtrade Foundation and carry the Fairtrade Mark. Only products carrying the Mark are guaranteed Fairtrade. Middlesbrough achieved Fairtrade Town status in March 2007 through achieving a number of standards and agreeing to various actions, including the following: Middlesbrough Council has passed a resolution supporting Fairtrade and offers Fairtrade refreshments at its meetings and catering outlets. The town has a number of retail and catering outlets stocking at least two Fairtrade products currently this is a minimum of 28 retail and 14 catering outlets. There is support for Fairtrade from all sectors, including public, private and voluntary and community organisations. The town promotes Fairtrade throughout the year, with a particular focus on Fairtrade Fortnight. The campaign is overseen by the Fairtrade Group, which includes representation from all sectors of the community. The Group organises a full programme of events each year focused around Christmas and Fairtrade Fortnight in March. It also monitors the number of outlets stocking Fairtrade products and encourages more businesses and community organisations to use Fairtrade products. Supporting Fairtrade promotes sustainable development in the developing world and also helps to address some of the causes of climate change. 31

32 There are many reasons why an organisation may wish to support Fairtrade: Good for organisational image showing that the organisation cares about global and local issues; Portrays the organisation as progressive and forward thinking; Demonstrates the organisation s commitment to Middlesbrough, meeting the town s aspirations; Many employees will be supporting Fairtrade personally and corporate support helps demonstrate the caring image of the organisation to employees; Meets Corporate Social Responsibility targets and other organisational objectives. 32