The B&NES Local Food Strategy
The need for a food strategy Health and Wellbeing Strategy: Priority: Reduce diet-related ill health and inequality Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy: Priority: Increase the production and supply of local, sustainable food
Vision Our vision is for Bath and North East Somerset to be a place where everyone can access good quality, safe, affordable food and enjoy a healthy diet, with more locally produced food that sustains the environment and supports the local economy.
Excellent work from food and farming businesses 62% farmer participation in agrienvironment schemes. 3 Farmers Markets Community Supported Agriculture Food CO-OPs
However. Work is not currently co-ordinated Further challenges remain
Strategic approach to food will Provide a joined-up approach to coordinate existing work. Inform and identify opportunities for further action.
A food strategy will help to co-ordinate all parts of the food system. Local Authority Food Civil Society Market Actors
And deliver on the following themes and agendas Health Wellbeing and equality Economic Development Environmental Sustainability and resilience
Health wellbeing and equality Key issues More than 1 in 4 year 6 children have an unhealthy weight. Key opportunities Improve the accessibility and affordability of healthy good quality food. Unhealthy weight disproportionately affects low income residents. Seek opportunities to generate healthy cultural and behavioural change. Food bank use has trebled in the last year.
Environmental sustainability Key issues The food system accounts for 30% global GHG emissions. Degradation of soil, water and air quality and wildlife. Key opportunities Enhance production and supply of local, sustainable food. Reduce and recycle food waste 47% of UK food is imported. 3 rd of all food in UK is wasted.
Prosperous economy and job creation Key issues Full time agricultural employment has decreased by more than half between 2000 and 2010. Consolidation in food retail. Key opportunities Local food generates multiplier effect of 3 for every 1 spent. Domestic annual expenditure on food in B&NES is estimated at 382 million. Support the development of the local food supply chain.
Local Food Strategy delivery themes Local Food Production Provision of and access to good food Healthy and sustainable food culture
1. Local Food Production Support the development of the food supply chain Encourage sustainable food production practices. Improve and encourage opportunities for community food growing.
2. Provision of, and access to good food Improve the procurement and provision of good food in public sector organisations and local businesses. Improve retail opportunities for good food i.e. via street markets, farmers markets and independent retail. Support everyone to afford good food.
3. Healthy and sustainable food culture Improve opportunities for everyone to develop food-related skills and knowledge. Raise the profile of good food through a variety of public events and communications. Support residents, businesses and organisations to reduce and recycle food waste.
Implementation methods Partnership working Community enablement Leading by example
Key recommendations. Establish a Local Food Partnership to develop and implement the Local Food action plan. Health and ESP Board Wellbeing Board Local Food Partnership
Discussion points Approval of the Local Food Strategy o Does the ESP approve the draft Local Food Strategy? o Is further endorsement of and engagement with the strategy needed by informal cabinet and other key partnerships and forums? Establishment of a Local Food Partnership o Does the ESP agree to the establishment of a local food partnership? o Consider membership and representation. How can ESP members promote and support implementation of the Local Food Strategy?
Implementation methods Partnership working Community enablement Leading by example