Bristol works toward food justice

People across Bristol are being invited to take part in a week of activities that will look at how we can make sure everyone in the city has access to nutritious, affordable food.

Food Justice Week starts on Monday 20 June in Bristol and aims to raise awareness of the positive work going on around the city and begin conversations about tackling rising food inequality.

The week, which has been organised by Feeding Bristol, in partnership with the One City office and Bristol City Council, will be used to launch the One City Food Equality Strategy, which sets out Bristol’s commitment to creating a fairer and more sustainable food system.

The strategy was co-created through consultation with more than 70 organisations, and direct engagement with those who have lived experience of food insecurity over the last 18 months.

Councillor Ellie King, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities, said: “Food Justice is about creating a food system that is fair for everyone. This is an opportunity for us to work together as a city to enable everyone to have access to nutritional food. Tackling food inequality requires collaboration between organisations and community groups throughout our city.

“A wonderful example of how we can make a difference is the work done by Blaise Plant Nursery to donate crop plants to community groups and allotments, who then grow them into nutritional produce to supply food banks and food clubs. This highlights some of the incredible work taking place around our city to tackle issues such as nutritional food poverty, and as we navigate the rising cost of living, partnerships such as these are increasingly vital”

Events will be held around the city during the week, starting with the Food Justice Week launch event, which takes place on the 21 June. Key partners and communities will come together to discuss the actions needed to create a fairer, more resilient, and sustainable local food system.

These will include events at Lawrence Weston Community Farm, Felix Road Adventure Playground and Windmill Hill City Farm. All events will be about sharing, listening and learning, and all will include food.

The launch event for the Food Equality Strategy will include talks from Mayor Marvin Rees, Deputy Mayor Asher Craig, Christina Gray, Director of Public Health, and Ped Asgarian, Director of Feeding Bristol, and will provide an overview of how the Food Equality Strategy was created.

Ped Asgarian, Director of Feeding Bristol said: “Food Justice is about creating a food system that is fair for everyone. It is about recognising the systemic and institutional inequity that exists in how we grow, distribute, access and use food. We have been talking about food poverty for a relatively short amount of time compared to the scale and depth of the problem.

“The strategy aims to recognise and highlight the disproportionate ways that food insecurity impacts those that are marginalised and the most disadvantaged communities within Bristol. It’s imperative that we continue to build on the amazing work that has been rooted in the voluntary sector. This is about enabling and empowering communities to make a positive difference.”

Further information about Food Justice Week can be found on Feeding Bristol’s website: https://www.feedingbristol.org/food-justice-week-2022