Liverpool takes next step towards becoming a Good Food City 

Liverpool takes next step towards becoming a Good Food City 

Liverpool has witnessed a collaborative effort involving its food organisations, community groups, local businesses, and residents as they unveiled the next stage of the city’s Good Food Plan. This milestone was celebrated during the second Liverpool Good Food Summit, which took place on Thursday, 3 September, at The Florrie. The event highlighted ongoing initiatives across the city while encouraging collaboration to ensure that nutritious, affordable, and sustainable food is accessible to all.

The summit, organised by Feeding Liverpool—Liverpool’s Food Alliance—created a platform where professionals and individuals with firsthand experience could come together. They shared insights, pinpointed obstacles, and agreed on actionable steps toward improving the local food system. Since 2021, a wide range of organisations have joined forces to deliver the Good Food Plan. This initiative recognises the vital role that access to good food plays in health and wellbeing and how it contributes to building stronger communities, tackling inequalities, and fostering a fairer food system throughout Liverpool.

Liverpool’s commitment to improving its food system was acknowledged when the city achieved the Sustainable Food Places bronze award in 2023. Now, the city aims to progress toward the silver award as part of the new phase of the Good Food Plan, which the summit officially launched. Discussions during the event addressed topics such as strengthening community resilience amidst global uncertainties, expanding food growing initiatives in the Liverpool City Region, engaging young people to influence healthier local food environments, and supporting businesses in promoting good food. Attendees also reviewed current actions across Liverpool, identified gaps needing attention, and explored ways to enhance cooperation between various organisations and communities.

Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, emphasised the importance of universal access to quality food, stating, “Everyone in Liverpool should be able to access good-quality, affordable food, wherever they live and whatever their circumstances.” He highlighted ongoing inspiring efforts, saying, “There is already a huge amount of inspiring work taking place in our neighbourhoods, from community food projects and growing initiatives to businesses making healthier and more sustainable choices.” Doyle further expressed that the summit was crucial for uniting these efforts and charting a path forward to create a food system that nurtures healthier individuals and stronger communities. Echoing this, Professor Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council, noted, “Access to good food has a major influence on our health throughout our lives, but we know that not everyone has the same opportunities to eat well.” He added, “The next phase of the Good Food Plan gives us an opportunity to address these wider challenges collectively. Crucially, it will be shaped by residents’ experiences and by the people already delivering positive change across Liverpool.” The ideas generated throughout the summit will guide the following stage of the Good Food Plan, aligned with Liverpool’s vision of becoming a recognized Good Food City

Read the full article on Liverpool Express here: Read More