Kingston upon Hull has won a prestigious Sustainable Food Places Silver award. The award recognises Hull Food Partnership’s work to promote healthy, sustainable and local food and to tackle some of today’s greatest social challenges; from food poverty and diet-related ill-health to the disappearance of family farms and the loss of independent food retailers.
The Sustainable Food Places Award is a national, evidence-based recognition and celebration of places taking a joined-up, holistic approach to sustainable and healthy food. Awardees have demonstrated activity and impact across their food system by the food partnership and their stakeholders to create a local ‘Good Food Movement’. This is recognition of the excellent work of the food partnership and of stakeholders across the area.
Hull Food Partnership brings together over 100 different organisations locally and nationally to work on a number of projects relating to improving resident’s access to good quality food.
In the past year Hull Food Partnership has worked with Hull City Council to create and pass the policy that gives Hull residents a presumed Right to Grow on unused council land – the first in the country to do so. As well as producing a Food Strategy and Food Action Plan for Hull to ensure that great tasting, nutritious food becomes the norm for everyone and supports local businesses.
Through hosting the Hull Food Inequality Alliance, Hull Food Partnership has also leveraged government funding for local organisations to feed communities in need across the city and is working to ensure more children are eligible for free school meals.
Councillor Charles Quinn, cabinet portfolio holder for environment at Hull City Council said: “We’re delighted Hull has won the Sustainable Food Places Silver Award – it’s a real testament to the city-wide collaboration, which is helping ensure healthy and sustainable food is accessible to all.
“One of the initiatives we’re most proud of is the Right to Grow scheme – which originated within the Hull Food Partnership – giving residents the chance to use unused council land to grow food and plants. Alongside our Food Strategy and Action Plan, we’re also proud of the Hull Open Spaces Network – launched in April 2024 – which now connects over 140 members, sharing ideas and resources to help our open spaces thrive.
“These initiatives show our commitment to a greener, fairer food system, as well as empowering communities to take ownership of their local environment.”
Jan Boyd, CEO, EMS Ltd, said: “We are beyond thrilled that Hull has won the Sustainable Food Places Silver Award. This award acknowledges the hard work of organisations from all business sectors who have been working together to really make a difference. The number and range of projects on offer to help residents from all over Hull access affordable, nutritious food is amazing. At EMS we are very pleased to be part of the partnership, but we are small spoke in an incredibly large wheel.
“We work with tens of thousands of residents on an annual basis and that we can signpost them to a number of food related projects in their communities is hugely beneficial. Once again congratulations to everyone involved.”
Claire Gribben, Joint Coordinator, Hull and East Riding Friends of the Earth, said: “Huge respect to all the team involved in achieving the Sustainable Food Places Silver Award. I have always been proud of Hull for its pioneering spirit, and this award adds further evidence and recognition of the progress that’s been made.
“From nurturing a positive food culture that encourages growing food on public land, to welcoming a diverse range of independent business, alongside passionate community groups and a bit of campaigning! This is an excellent stepping stone to building a resilient and sustainable food future.”
Leon Ballin, the Sustainable Food Places Programme Manager, said: “Hull 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, Hull 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.”