28 April: Neighbourhood Democracy and Food

Neighbours can work together to ensure that good, fresh and healthy food is available to everyone.

Event | 09.04.21

The Neighbourhood Democracy Movement (NDM) wants to explore the relationship between food and democracy.

Surplus food, tackling food poverty, grow your own: these are some of the causes which have propelled thousands of people into activity in neighbourhoods across the country.

The aim of this online event is to encourage participants to consider how food can strengthen their practice by providing inspiring and workable models.

Participants will hear from four speakers who will have ten minutes each for a presentation, followed by Q+A. This will be followed by break out sessions around the statement – this is what I'm going to do as a result of today - and finally a chance to compare conclusions with the help of the speakers.

Martin Yarnit is the founder of Talk Shop and a Fellow of the Centre for Welfare Reform. As a Churchill Fellow, Martin has researched the contribution of food hubs in the US and coops in Italy to creating sustainable support systems for small food producers and for food distribution. The report Towards a Food Revolution: Food hubs and Cooperatives in the US and Italy is available to read here (pdf).

Martin will set the scene, talking about the national context and the basic requirements for getting started locally, and argues for food hubs in every locality to build a new system of farmer-friendly supply chains. 

He will be joined by:

Iain Chambers (Brighton Food Factory) outlines the achievements that have marked Brighton out as one of the national leaders on local food policy and practice

Cara Bilson (Hull Food Partnership) shows how the city’s approach to tackling food poverty is rooted in neighbourhoods

Tessa Tricks talks about the food initiatives of the environmental charity, Hubbub: Community Fridges, Food Connect and Kitchen Love

Leon Bailin explains the role of the Sustainable Food Places programme and how it supports local initiatives

Date: Thursday 28 April
Time: 2 - 3:30pm BST

To register for free tickets please visit:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/neighbourhood-democracy-food-tickets-149710705751

You can sign the Open Letter on Neighbourhood Democracy at:

https://dememove.org/letter