Agenda and minutes

None.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2022 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To receive a briefing on the work of the Shropshire Good Food Partnership.

Members received a presentation from Jenny Roquette of the Shropshire Good Food Partnership.

The presentation set out the work of the Partnership, discussed Food Systems Thinking and actions taken locally, and next steps for the Partnership and Council.

The Partnership’s mission was to bring together people, groups, and organisation to create a food system that was good for people, place, and planet, improving access to affordable nutritious food, creating lively communities, and aiding the shift to net-zero.

Established at the end of 2021, the Partnership had started out scoping the existing situation and considering how it could add value to discussions and policy around food. It was comprised of a small team but was growing thanks to project specific funding; an example given was that resources from the Telford and Wrekin Climate Fund had allowed the organisation to grow.

There were a number of working groups led by the Partnership, these engaged people on various specific areas within food systems such as growing local, sustainable food economies, wise land stewardship, and reducing food waste. As a whole, the working groups were made up of over 60 organisations and in excess of 120 individuals.

Shropshire Good Food Partnership took a systems- and place- based approach to its work to encourage farm to fork eating. The Partnership viewed issues through a food system lens,  considering how food was enmeshed with society and culture and seeking to find how best to engage people and for what impact. With around 30% of greenhouse gas emissions coming from the food system, this was one of the key areas for adaptation and mitigation of climate change in.

The Partnership outlined a number of pieces of their project areas. These included local actions such as a Good Food Charter; work on the local food economy and land stewardship, reducing food waste, and healthy food for all including growing local and boosting peoples’ connection to nature.

In addition, the organisation undertook partnership work with a variety of partners including Telford & Wrekin Council.

Future actions included, the Good Food Trail, Good to Grow Day, and the Marches Real Food & Farming Conference with Harper Adams University.

A discussion followed the presentation.

Members noted the importance of education in driving positive change in terms of the climate agenda, both for children and adults. Discussion focussed on teaching, enabling, and supporting people to grow their own food. The Committee also spoke of the need to show the cycle of food through to their plates.

Following on from this, Members discussed access to growing spaces across the Borough and how these can be improved and formalised – from allotments to small patches on public land.

It was suggested that Members could be appointed to the Shropshire Good Food Partnerships advisory group. This was to be investigated.

Members requested an update from the Partnership in twelve months’ time. The Committee also wished to receive an item focussing on the Council’s catering team and their procurement practices.

None.