Belfast Food Network
Our Vision: Belfast is a city of good food for all, where healthy, sustainable food is available and accessible to everyone. Our Mission: Belfast Food Network (BFN) will work with partners to promote a greater appreciation of the role and importance of healthy and sustainable food – fresh, local, seasonal – amongst the public, policy-makers and institutions.
Members: Institute of Public Health; Chartered Institute of Environmental Health; Belfast City Council; Education Authority Belfast; Fareshare NI; Federation of Community Farms & City Gardens; Food Standards Agency; NI Environment Link; NI Local Government Association; Public Health Agency; Queen’s University Belfast; Sustainable NIUlster Farmers’ Union; University of Ulster
Established: October 2013
How Belfast Food Network is taking action to help tackle food poverty
| Improving coordination and navigation of the local welfare safety net | |
| Supporting fair pay by promoting the Real Living Wage to the local council and employers | |
| Supporting services that provide financial crisis support and advice | |
| Increasing the uptake of Healthy Start vouchers and the number of retailers who offer and promote the scheme | |
| Ensuring children’s access to food 365 days a year through support of holiday food provision, breakfast clubs and uptake of free school meals | |
| Empowering experts by experience in the alliance’s strategic work | |
| Developing and implementing a food poverty action plan | |
| Ensuring all residents have physical access to good food | |
| Supporting alternative retail, e.g. community shops, cooperatives |
