BBC Radio 4's Food Programme recently broadcasted an excellent programme called Can Britain become self-sufficient? The programme explores the changing global food environment, and the role of the supermarket economy, verses the prospect of a healthy, local food economy. It asked the questions, "Should Britain Feed Itself?", and Can Britain Feed Itself?" As if in answer to the BBC's inquiry, Unicorn Grocery in Chorlton has recently purchased 21 acres of horticulture land near Warrington, on which to grow its own fruit and vegetables.

At the end of 2007, Manchester Food Futures allocated £40,000 from their programme budget to commission collaborative working within the community and voluntary sector around the following themes: cooking and nutrition education; sustainable infrastructure for allotments; improving food for homeless people; and enriching food for older people.

The following article is a brief summary of the project.

Plus you can Dowload a copy of the full Food Futures Commissioning Programme Evaluation report here (935KB PDF file)

Here is a link to my latest report on the Food Futures steering group, and board meetings, held on September 3rd and 10th respectively. Issues covered in the report include:

• Food Futures and vulnerable groups
• The Food Futures Strategic Review
• Engaging with the private sector (supermarkets)
• Open Strategy - engaging collective wisdom?
• The BIG Lottery Local Food Fund

Download the report as a PDF file here.

Minutes from Manchester Food and Well-being Network's second meeting which took place on September 2nd. Agenda items include:

• Sarah Alldred, Project Co-ordinator: Making Local Food Work
• Food Futures representatives
• Paul Brighouse, Enterprise Facilitator, New East Manchester Urban Farm
• The Big Lottery Local Food Fund, report back on consultation
• Options appraisal for developing new ways to share information within the H&W Network, and Food Futures
• Esmee Fairbairn Food grant

Download the minutes from the meeting here.
Download a briefing on the Esmee Fairbairn Food fund here.