National recognition for Gateshead partnership championing good food
A partnership that is taking action to make healthy and sustainable food available to everyone in Gateshead has been recognised for its work with a national award.
Gateshead Food Partnership is a collaboration of local people and organisations with the ambition to tackle some of the borough's biggest health and wellbeing challenges head on; from food poverty and diet-related ill-health to the disappearance of family farms and the loss of independent food retailers.
Just one year on from officially launching the partnership, project lead Nikki Dravers has grown a network of over 100 individuals, businesses, and organisations passionate about the power of good food in bringing people together and improving the health and wellbeing of Gateshead communities.
By funding cooking classes, food education and growing projects across the borough, Gateshead Food Partnership has showcased its ambition to make a real difference for Gateshead. Community allotments, social enterprise cafes, schools and food manufacturers have all been part of the journey to make Gateshead a Sustainable Food Place, and their work has now been recognised with a Sustainable Food Places Bronze Award.
The partnership's dedication to being part of the nationwide network was exhibited to more people than ever at its first flagship event, 'From Gardens to Gatherings', held in Saltwell Park. At the event, over 1,700 people celebrated local food growing and community connection with 20 stalls from local voluntary sector organisations, practical workshops, including with artist Bethan Laker, music, crafts and a food theatre hosted by acclaimed chef Anthony O'Shaughnessy.
The event not only provided a delicious and diverse food offer for all attendees, but also valuable work experience for over 70 Gateshead College students from a range of courses including event management, media and professional cookery. A post-event survey showed that 100% of respondents want more events like this in Gateshead, with many reporting new connections, learning, and inspiration to reduce food waste and cook more at home.
Councillor Maria Hall, cabinet member for Localities, Communities and Volunteering at Gateshead Council, said: "The partnership's first large scale event, held in our beloved Saltwell Park on a beautiful sunny day, was the perfect way of showcasing how good food can bring our communities together. It told the story of what Gateshead Food Partnership is all about - working together to make nutritious food accessible to all in Gateshead, while connecting to other communities and learning about why sustainable food is so important. We're so pleased that their work has been recognised through this national award, and we can't wait to see how the partnership continues to grow in Gateshead."
Leon Ballin, the Sustainable Food Places Programme Manager, said: "Gateshead Food Partnership has shown just what can be achieved when creative and committed people work together to make healthy and sustainable food a defining characteristic of where they live. While there is still much to do and many challenges to overcome, Gateshead Food Partnership has helped to set a benchmark for the other 120+ members of the UK Sustainable Food Places Network to follow. They should be very proud of the work that they have been doing to transform our collective food culture and food system for the better."
To find out more about how to get involved with the Gateshead Food Partnership, visit their website, follow their social media channels, or sign up to their newsletter.
A partnership that is taking action to make healthy and sustainable food available to everyone in Gateshead has been recognised for its work with a national award.
Gateshead Food Partnership is a collaboration of local people and organisations with the ambition to tackle some of the borough's biggest health and wellbeing challenges head on; from food poverty and diet-related ill-health to the disappearance of family farms and the loss of independent food retailers.
Just one year on from officially launching the partnership, project lead Nikki Dravers has grown a network of over 100 individuals, businesses, and organisations passionate about the power of good food in bringing people together and improving the health and wellbeing of Gateshead communities.
By funding cooking classes, food education and growing projects across the borough, Gateshead Food Partnership has showcased its ambition to make a real difference for Gateshead. Community allotments, social enterprise cafes, schools and food manufacturers have all been part of the journey to make Gateshead a Sustainable Food Place, and their work has now been recognised with a Sustainable Food Places Bronze Award.
The partnership's dedication to being part of the nationwide network was exhibited to more people than ever at its first flagship event, 'From Gardens to Gatherings', held in Saltwell Park. At the event, over 1,700 people celebrated local food growing and community connection with 20 stalls from local voluntary sector organisations, practical workshops, including with artist Bethan Laker, music, crafts and a food theatre hosted by acclaimed chef Anthony O'Shaughnessy.
The event not only provided a delicious and diverse food offer for all attendees, but also valuable work experience for over 70 Gateshead College students from a range of courses including event management, media and professional cookery. A post-event survey showed that 100% of respondents want more events like this in Gateshead, with many reporting new connections, learning, and inspiration to reduce food waste and cook more at home.
Councillor Maria Hall, cabinet member for Localities, Communities and Volunteering at Gateshead Council, said: "The partnership's first large scale event, held in our beloved Saltwell Park on a beautiful sunny day, was the perfect way of showcasing how good food can bring our communities together. It told the story of what Gateshead Food Partnership is all about - working together to make nutritious food accessible to all in Gateshead, while connecting to other communities and learning about why sustainable food is so important. We're so pleased that their work has been recognised through this national award, and we can't wait to see how the partnership continues to grow in Gateshead."
Leon Ballin, the Sustainable Food Places Programme Manager, said: "Gateshead Food Partnership has shown just what can be achieved when creative and committed people work together to make healthy and sustainable food a defining characteristic of where they live. While there is still much to do and many challenges to overcome, Gateshead Food Partnership has helped to set a benchmark for the other 120+ members of the UK Sustainable Food Places Network to follow. They should be very proud of the work that they have been doing to transform our collective food culture and food system for the better."
To find out more about how to get involved with the Gateshead Food Partnership, visit their website, follow their social media channels, or sign up to their newsletter.
