- Extensive survey to create UK-first city region interactive
digital map of local food production and supply
- Lays groundwork for an LCR Food Network to increase access to
affordable produce
- Response to a major report calling for action to ‘shift the
dial' on food poverty
- City region is home to half of England's ten most deprived
food ‘deserts'
- Feeding Liverpool charity says research will ‘shape a food
system that works better for everyone'
- Also aims to improve diets and reduce food miles
An ambitious plan to create a network of healthy, affordable and
accessible local produce has been launched – starting with a
detailed survey of the Liverpool City Region's food ecosystem.
The new survey is the first by a city region and will analyse the
production, supply and sale of local produce – from growers and
wholesalers to schools and hospitality. It marks the first step
towards creating a fair and sustainable LCR Food Network.
It has been launched in response to a major report commissioned
by Mayor during the cost-of-living
crisis which has revealed the scale of food poverty.
The report found the city region is home to half of England's ten
most deprived ‘food deserts' – neighbourhoods of 5,000 to 15,000
people with poor access to affordable and healthy food.
To ‘shift the dial' in a meaningful way, the study called for a
fully collaborative and co-operative approach across the social,
public, and private sectors. As a first step, the Combined
Authority has commissioned a deep dive into the food system –
leading to the creation of an interactive digital map.
Cllr Paula Basnett, Liverpool City Region Cabinet Member
for Health and Inequalities, said:
“This initiative is a vital step towards building a
healthier, fairer City Region. By understanding how food is
grown, shared and accessed locally, we can begin to close the
gaps that leave too many families struggling. It's about creating
a system where nutritious food is not a privilege, but a basic
right—delivered in ways that support our communities and protect
our environment.”
The report ‘Sustainable and Affordable Food for Liverpool City
Region: Recommendations for Change' was prepared by the VS6
Partnership which represents the city region's 8,600 voluntary,
community, faith and social enterprises.
It highlighted the need for decisive action in a city region
where food insecurity is a significant problem faced by many
families.
The report recommended, for the first time, co-ordinating and
strengthening the efforts of the local voluntary sector –
including foodbanks, pantries and community growers – to address
the root causes of food insecurity.
It also called for the development of a detailed LCR Food
Network. The new survey launched this week lays the groundwork.
The charity Feeding Liverpool has been commissioned to look at
relationships within the local food system, including flows of
food, funding, and influence, identifying opportunities for
development and policy influence, and creating an interactive
digital concept map which stakeholders can update.
Survey link:
Keenan Humble, Director at Feeding Liverpool,
said:
“Feeding Liverpool is pleased to be working alongside
partners from across the Liverpool City Region on this important
research project to better understand our regional food system.
By mapping who's involved and how the system operates, we hope to
lay the groundwork for a more joined-up, fair and sustainable
approach to food across all six local authority areas.
“As Liverpool's food alliance lead, we've seen first-hand the
value of collaboration through the Good Food Alliance. This
project is an opportunity to extend that spirit of partnership
across the region. We hope this that this research will be the
catalyst for further local development and innovation, that can
be connected at a regional level to better support the needs and
aspirations of our respective local residents and
organisations.
“We encourage everyone working in the food space—whether in
community organisations, local government, businesses or
beyond—to engage with the research and help shape a food system
that works better for everyone who lives and works in the
Liverpool City Region.”
If you're involved in growing, making, moving, selling, or
supporting access to food in the Liverpool City Region, please
take a few minutes to complete this short survey. Your insights
will help shape a fairer, more connected and sustainable regional
food network. https://forms.gle/kPnSrrPkihB3gPjE9
