This event is for those who work with/in communities to help meet the dietary and/or food access needs of residents, local authorities, academics and other interested parties.  In this workshop we will consider the challenges and opportunities that underpin the question of how third sector organisations, local authorities, and others can effectively come together to reduce food insecurity and improve public health in communities.

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Workshop context

The paradox of our food system is that those places where people are the most food insecure are also those with higher rates of illness linked to dietary practices. But how can the food futures of local communities, and the inequalities linked to them, be addressed against a backdrop of global food chains, powerful economic and political interests and complex interaction of social, cultural and personal influences? Local authorities are expected to play an increasing leadership role in addressing these challenges against a backdrop of continued budget reductions, as well as the possibility of locally devolved funding.

In this context, Local authorities and organisations concerned with supporting those who are food insecure need new ways of working together to enable the long term sustainability and security of a community’s food system. The solutions are not easily achievable, but only through a coalition informed by effective civic leadership and the knowldege, skill and energy of third sector organisations will effective strategies be developed reflecting the culture and values of communities themselves.

Programme:

9:00-10:00  Registration, Coffee and Networking

9:45-10:00  Welcome, Megan Blake, Director of the MA in Food Security and Food Justice, Sr Lecturer in Human Geography, University of Sheffield

10:0-11:30 Confirmed Speakers

Ingun Borg, Principle Research Officer, Department of Work and Pensions, will offer an explanation of Universal Credits and outline its implications for the ways families manage their time in order to meet care and work demands.

Jemma Hynes, Director of Food Programmes at FoodSync, will tell you about Feeding Stockport and the food development work of FoodSync in using whole systems approaches to tackle some of our biggest challenges.

Pamela Graham, Postdoctoral Researcher in Psychology at Northumbria University, will be discussing her research on children’s hunger, brealfast clubs and non-term time feeding programmes.

Katie Badger, Masters Researcher at the University of Sheffield and Summer Intern with Doncaster Council Public Health, will present her work on the ways people use and interact with food banks.

Robert Reid, Ddirector of the Hilltop Centre, will talk about the activities they do to support food security in Edlington and some of the challenges that they face.

11:30-12:00 Questions for the speakers

12:00-12:30 Participant introductions and explanation of the afternoon workshop activities

12:30-1:30  Lunch

1:30-3:30  Workshop: collaborative SWOT analysis on the question of how to work together to enable healthy and secure food for communities.

3:30-3:45 Coffee

3:45-4:00 Table Summaries

4:00-4:30 Table discussions on Ideas to take forward into practice for Local Authorities, Community Organisations, and for further research.

4:30-5:00 Feedback on final discussion and summary of the day

Attendees are invited to a wine and cheese reception from 5:00-6:00 pm to round out the day.