A new plan designed to improve health and boost communities is providing food for thought, thanks to Leicestershire County Council.
The ambitious plan involves businesses, academics and local organisations joining forces to improve the county’s food system.
The plan includes supporting Melton Borough Council and Harborough District Council in their bid for a Bronze award in the national Sustainable Food Cities (SFC) scheme by pioneering local work across a range of topics including:
• Promoting healthy and sustainable food;
• Alleviating food poverty and diet–related ill health and improving access to affordable healthy food;
• Building community skills and knowledge across all aspects of food – including cooking, growing and healthy choices;
• Enhancing the local food economy;
• More sustainable catering and food procurement;
• Reducing food waste and the ecological footprint of food.
Healthy foods are fundamental to good health and community vitality.
The food system - from agricultural production and processing, to transportation and marketing, to shop purchases and waste disposal - influences our ability to buy healthy foods and affects our society significantly.
The plan will provide a focus for our work to address the rising costs generated by ill health and food waste, and strengthen our very important local food manufacturing sector.
Person:Councillor Pam Posnett, cabinet member for health
The SFC approach involves developing a cross-sector partnership of local public agencies, businesses, academics and local organisations committed to working together to make healthy and sustainable food a defining characteristic of where they live.
The scheme is managed by a partnership of organisations including the Soil Association, Sustain and Food Matters. So far, nine towns and cities have achieved a Bronze award, with 3 achieving a Silver award.