PATHWAYS TO POLICY Clare Devereux Policy Director Food

PATHWAYS TO POLICY Clare Devereux Policy Director Food Matters

Food Matters’ approach. . . • Social Enterprise - mix of consultancy, project and service delivery • Work at grassroots and national policy level • Whole food systems approach – developing a integrated holistic approach to food work whether nationally or at community level • Policy key to delivery of long term benefits through food • Work to ensure policy both locally and nationally is informed by grassroots work

Food at the heart. . Health and wellbeing Environmental sustainability Economic development Food Reducing inequalities Social cohesion Culture

Food Work in Brighton & Hove. .

The Sustainable Food Cities approach. . . • Bring together a city-wide cross-sector partnership of public agencies (health, environment, economy), businesses, NGOs, voluntary & community organisations & academic bodies. • Develop an action plan based on a joint vision and common goals on how to make healthy and sustainable food a defining characteristic of their city • Work to embed the principles of sustainable food in policy across the city to ensure the long term sustainability of food work

Policy. . • Economic Development Strategy • Public Health strategies • Tourism Strategy • Community strategies • Transport • Housing • Planning

Food & Planning Brighton & Hove Sustainability Checklist for Planning § online sustainability checklist – a validation requirement • series of ‘Food growing’ questions § ‘Open Space’ section –additional allotments/community food growing areas § Allows accurate monitoring

Food Growing and Development • Proposals with food growing have increased from 1% to 38% • Guidance has been welcomed • Integrates food into the fabric of the city

Circus Street Re-development • 106 m 2 Allotment space & raised beds • roof garden for food growing (33. 2 m 2) • Fruit trees (25) and nut trees (7) • Allotment space 106 m 2 created • Create a head gardener post to oversee Management • Post will develop community projects and events with residents and surrounding communities

Pathways to Policy • develop a strategic and integrated food systems approach • Ensure that policy makers are part of approach from the beginning and recognise its value in achieving a range of policy outcomes • Develop relationships with key stakeholders (Planning Officers, developers) • Develop a Food Strategy and associated Action Plan which is supported by local authority and other key stakeholders • Ensure that all other strategies and policies include food where appropriate (e. g economic development)

Issues to consider: • Why food policy? • What are our policies? • How to engage widest possible stakeholder groups in policy development? • Evidence based policy? How important (and what does it mean)?