Towards a (new) Sheffield Food Strategy

Cllr Jack Scott Cabinet Lead for Food and Environment

Sheffield Food strategy Consultation Event

November 6th 2013 City Hall

Why do we want to refresh our Sheffield Food Strategy now?

Things are changing fast in our communities …

•Food Poverty – appearance of Food Banks in our city•People are struggling with cuts to social security•High numbers of people who are overweight or obese•The 2011 Food Plan was very wide ranging •We don’t have the same resources available as in the past (C4L) and cuts in public sector funding•We have the right leadership structures in place•Fairness Commission

Sheffield’s Food Strengths• In 2011, a total of 12,574 people were employed in

food related industry in Sheffield including training – Low? High?

• 244,000 visitors attended the Food Festival this year – growth year on year

• The Moor Market - 200 Stalls. 55% food• School Food has improved• We have many creative people working in small food

businesses and a range of community and voluntary sector projects

Sheffield’s Food Weaknesses• Over 30,000 people in Sheffield are malnourished • It is estimated that approximately 40,000 people in

Sheffield are currently experiencing food poverty (Trussell Trust)

• 58% of Sheffield’s population aged 15+ (271,324 people) is estimated to be overweight or obese

• Direct cost of treating obesity and its consequences in Sheffield is approximately £11.5 million annually

• Estimated that the average household in Sheffield wastes £50 of food / month

• We have 16 food banks and growing …

1. Environmental sustainability2. Improved health and wellbeing3. A strong economy

A New Food Strategy

Our Vision

What this really means …1. Everyone can access, a diverse offer of food that is

safe, nutritious & benefits their health 2. We don’t waste food3. Food plays a key role in strengthening our economy 4. Our local food system is sustainable and the

environmental impact of our food production, processing, retail and consumption is minimised

5. Our public sector bodies lead by example through regulation, and sustainable

Priorities proposed in the strategy next 2 years

1.Tackle Food Poverty in Sheffield

2.To improve the food offer - implement the ‘Takeaways Toolkit’ in Sheffield

3.Establish a Healthy Eating Campaign & Support Communities to Grow their own Food

4.Boost the role food plays in the local economy

5. Establish an independent Sheffield Food Trust

Progress to Date • New Food Executive Group set up that reports to the

Food & Physical Activity Board and we have begun to draft a strategy

• We have spoken to some Elected Members• We spoke to 90 people at the Sheffield Food Festival

September 2013• A questionnaire is to be widely circulated after we do

some more work on the strategy after today • The Food Bank Network are already working to look

at tackling food poverty

Key ContactsFor making sure things happen!

• Cllr Jack Scott Cabinet Lead for Food and Environment• Jack.Scott@Sheffield.gov.uk / Mobile: 07875 014281

•Dr Jeremy Wight Director of Public Health

•Jessica Wilson Health Improvement Principal •Jessica.wilson@sheffield.gcsx.gov.uk

•Jill Lancaster Health Improvement Practitioner •Jill.lancaster@sheffield.gcsx.gov.uk

•Graham Moore (Chair Food & Physical Activity Board)