Nottinghamshire’s first-ever Food Summit on 16 October will celebrate and showcase the food system across Nottinghamshire and develop the Nottinghamshire Food Plan for 2025 to 2028.

The summit will also celebrate the Sustainable Food Places Bronze Award to Nottinghamshire Sustainable Food Network. The Award recognizes the partners’ commitment to a joined-up, holistic approach to sustainable and healthy food across the county by developing initiatives that benefit communities, the environment and the local economy. 

The network brings together local authorities, health organisations, voluntary and community agencies, universities, food producers and businesses to support new and existing food initiatives to tackle food poverty, help build community resilience and improve health.

Some of the sustainable food priorities include:

  • Healthy food for all - working to ensure that everyone has access to healthy and nutritious food
  • Sustainable Food Economy - building prosperous local food economies by supporting local food businesses to grow and develop
  • Food for the planet - tackling climate change by supporting local sustainable food production, protecting the environment and minimizing food waste.

 

Cllr Beth Eddy, Chair of Nottinghamshire Health and Wellbeing Board said:

“Good nutritious food is key to good health, and we want to ensure that everyone can enjoy healthy, affordable and sustainable food. Food is about so much more than just eating; it’s about access and affordability, variety and choice, the impact on our health and the environment.

“The Food Summit will bring together experts, communities, businesses, health partners and others to shine a light on local food issues - from growing, supplying and buying - in a joined-up and sustainable way that benefits all our residents equally.”

Dr Peter Noy, Associate Director of Research for the Food Systems Institute said “Our food system has maximised food production at a global scale to the detriment of local community requirements. Now is the time to refocus on local sustainability, human health and nutrition that supports local communities. The Food Systems Institute’s mission is to embed knowledge created through research, development and innovation to improve the sustainability of our agricultural systems, enhance the quality and nutrition of our foods and support health and resilient community food systems. The Nottinghamshire Food Summit will stimulate positive action across our local food system for the next three years and will benefit everyone in Nottinghamshire.”

Councillor Susan Crosby, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Leisure at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We're eager to promote healthier lifestyles and ensure residents have access to affordable, nutritious food that's also sustainable.

“From securing fresh food from suppliers; initiatives like our Crop Drop scheme, which has been providing fresh produce from allotment holders to district residents for nearly 4 years; to cookery classes for young people, teaching them how to cook low-cost healthy meals – we have so many ideas and opportunities to improve food security and access to food for our residents.

 “This food summit is a fantastic opportunity for joined up thinking, allowing us to learn from each other and to improve and influence the food chain across Nottinghamshire.”

The Nottinghamshire Food Plan 2025 – 2028 will be co-designed with stakeholders and will address key priorities, such as food security and sustainable food growing, through a whole food system approach and partnership working.