At Achieve Oxfordshire we know how important it is to eat well for good health but we also realise that food accessibility can be a big problem and a sensitive subject. For some people good food is not always affordable or accessible. In this blog we will share information on why access to good food is so important and sign post you to organisations who are working hard to make sure that everyone in Oxfordshire has access to nutritious foods.
Why is good food important?
Food is at the heart of many of the UK’s biggest social, economic and environmental challenges:
From field to landfill site, food is responsible for a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. In Oxford, the carbon footprint of our food is twice as high as all of our cars!.
It’s estimated that as much as 50% of food produced globally is never eaten.
Diet-related disease means UK children may become the first generation to live shorter lives than their parents.
A rapid decline in cooking skills means that the UK has the highest consumption of ready meals in Europe
Food price inflation and falling real wages means the number of people in food poverty in the UK has risen above 4 million
Most farmers earn less than the minimum wage and food workers get the lowest pay in all sectors.
So what is being done and how can you find support?
Good Food Oxford is a network for a better food system in Oxford, working together for healthy, fair, sustainable and tasty food. Good Food Oxford was launched in December 2013 in order to help support the existing work of many organisations in and around the city to improve our food system, to catalyse new initiatives and collaborations, and to encourage more joined-up thinking, research and policy around food issues. You can find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Oxfordshire Food Superstars In order to celebrate the critical role of community food providers during the pandemic, Oxfordshire County Council, Public Health and Good Food Oxford have launched a campaign called ‘Oxfordshire Food Superstars’. The initiative aims to connect individuals, food providers and practitioners and share best practice. They’re also supporting people to cook, eat well, waste less and grow their own and have created a resource pack for families with tips, inspiration and recipes.
Resource Pack - helping individuals and families to shop locally and seasonally for food, cook quick meals, make sense of food labels and learn about cutting cola to cool the planet. Read more here
Spotlight on - Food Power Project in Cutteslowe. Good Food Oxford are working with local partners including Cutteslowe Primary School, St Andrew’s Church, Cutteslowe Community Centre, Oxford Hub, Local Councillors and Oxford City FC to strengthen their ability to reduce food poverty and tackle its root causes. Read their story here
Food Banks - A foodbank is a non-profit, charitable organisation that distributes food to those who have difficulty purchasing enough to avoid hunger.During the COVID-19 pandemic, 5 million adults and 1 in 5 households with children have gone hungry in England. If you are struggling with obtaining food due to finances then there is help available. There is no shame in asking for help. View a map of food services in Oxfordshire here
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