People across the UK are stepping up to change their food system. Local action takes many forms – from setting up a food project or enterprise that benefits one’s community, to starting a citizen campaign focussing on a specific issue, to bringing together local actors to work in partnership on systemic changes within the local food system. But all local action has at its core a belief that people can make a difference, and that seemingly small actions can often have wide-reaching benefits.
We are often simply described as ‘consumers’ by industry and government, but citizen and community food action is alive in all corners of the UK. Food movements are growing, motivated either by local challenges or a desire for wider systemic change, but always with the joy of sharing food that is good for people and planet.
Food growing networks are transforming urban communities. People are starting up enterprises to improve local, sustainable food access. Surplus-sharing networks and plastic-free campaigns are responding locally to the global waste crisis. Neighbours are setting up buying groups and social dining clubs to make food access more affordable and dignified. And other change-makers, including young people, are leading actions to hold decision-makers to account. Supporting this important work are local cross-sector food partnerships and campaigns, joining the dots to change policy and improve public food access.
The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed just how vital local food networks are in ensuring our country recovers and thrives. Sustain works to champion joined-up local action across a breadth of food issues, from farm to fork. We do this by supporting local good food movements working with diverse communities, volunteers, activists and social enterprises to improve their local food system and to lend their voices and experience to our work nationally.
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What we're fighting for today
Increased number of local authorities committed to creating more healthy and sustainable food systems in their local areas.
Expansion of Sustainable Food Places network beyond cities to support counties as well as galvanise action through issue-specific campaigns.
Growth of the local food sector 10x by 2030.
A good food culture, supporting those who are into baking or growing their own food, or how or where to buy more sustainably.
Our campaigns
Good Food Local provides national tracking of local authorities and partner organisations creating more healthy and sustainable food systems in their local areas.
Our Real Bread campaign annual activities including Sourdough September and Real Bread Week regularly have thousands involved from over 60 countries.
National network Good to Grow and Capital Growth in London have supported 412 food gardens
Local Food Plan brings together experts from the short supply chain sector, and investors and researchers to government stakeholders to grow the local food sector 10x by 2030.
Working with Soil Association and Food Matters, the Sustainable Food Places network supports a joined-up approach to food systems in over 60 parts of the UK.
