Food Exeter strategy promotes healthy, sustainable city

Its focus includes the Sugar Smart Exeter education campaign, a network of breakfast and holiday food clubs for children at risk of food poverty in Exeter and work towards increasing diverse local food outlets in the city, such as pop-ups and a renewed farmers’ market.

The strategy, developed with help from University of Exeter researchers, is being launched this week to a mixed audience including Exeter City Councillors.

CRPR Directors Professors Matt Lobley and Harry West are members of Food Exeter’s Steering Group. Matt said

“Our ambitious strategy can help improve the diet of Exeter residents, improve access to sustainable food and help develop a more resilient local food economy” Dr Rebecca Sandover worked with Food Exeter’s steering group on the strategy and wrote a report on Food Exeter’s progress, which is also published today.

“Food Exeter is a dynamic, growing network made up of committed organisations and individuals with vision for food change in Exeter” she said.

“There is a strong will amongst members to collaborate and to learn from best practices elsewhere.

“Food Exeter has strong internal and community links, but it needs stronger working relations with local government in order to bring about city-wide food change. Simple actions by local authorities could boost food culture in the city.”

The report says there are challenges in tackling issues such as affordable healthy eating and promoting local, quality produce. But it says action proposed in the strategy can address both areas.