Presentation delivered by Gus Hoyt (Cabinet member for Neighbourhoods, Environment & Council Housing; Green party councillor representing the neighbourhood of Ashley) for URBACT Training for Elected Representatives on Integrated and Sustainable Urban Development. Seminar 3 (2-4 December 2013, Brussels, Belgium): Sustainability and change. How can cities tackle the challenges of climate change and assess their progress? And how to intervene in complex energy transitions while improving a city's quality of life? Read more: http://urbact.eu/en/news-and-events/urbact-events/training-for-elected-representatives/

1. Bristol
Gus Hoyt
Cabinet member for
Neighbourhoods, Environment &
Council Housing.
Green party councillor representing
the neighbourhood of Ashley
Regional capital of the South
West of England, with a
population of nearly 500,000,
Bristol is the UK’s 8th most
populous city, famed for
creativity, innovation and green
dynamism
Thematic Network Sustainable Food in Urban Communities – Elected members training
2-4 December 2013 I Page 1

2. Food in Bristol
› Local Context
Food production – we import the
majority of fruit & vegetables
consumed

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UK imports 40% of food
60% of vegetables
90% of fruit
South West region produces
23% of cattle and sheep
37% of milk
6% vegetables
Bristol could provide up to 16% of its vegetable
requirements.
Allotments could contribute 5% of the city’s
requirements, worth over £2.5 million
Thematic Network Sustainable Food in Urban Communities – Elected members training
2-4 December 2013 I Page 2

3. Food in Bristol
›
Business & Employment –
diversity at risk

One in ten jobs

Bristol has 2,000 catering
businesses

St Philips Wholesale Market
directly employs 500 people.

Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and
Morrisons. Combined market
share has risen from 50% in
early 1990’s to 76% in 2009
Thematic Network Sustainable Food in Urban Communities – Elected members training
2-4 December 2013 I Page 3

4. Food in Bristol
Food Waste – unacceptable levels

Nationally 40%
 9,000 tonnes of household
food waste is collected and composted
each year out of an average estimated
20 – 25,000 tonnes.
Health – huge social and financial burden

1 in 4 adults are obese in England, 1 in 3 children.
 Health impacts include diabetes, high blood
pressure, heart disease, arthritis, mobility problems
and depression.
 Loss of skills in food growing and preparation are
thought to be a contributing factor
Thematic Network Sustainable Food in Urban Communities – Elected members training
2-4 December 2013 I Page 4

5. Food in Bristol
Community Activity – lots happening
but may benefit from more co-ordinated
approach
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Local Food Network
Local food newsletter
Get growing garden trail
Avon Wildlife Trust ‘Feed Bristol’ project
Social enterprises re-skilling their client groups, former
addicts, ex offenders and creating work opportunities
Thematic Network Sustainable Food in Urban Communities – Elected members training
2-4 December 2013 I Page 5

6. Sustainable Food Policies in Bristol

Internal Food Charter
 Citywide– the Good Food Charter
 Climate Change & Energy Security Framework
 Bristol Food Planning Framework
Thematic Network Sustainable Food in Urban Communities – Elected members training
2-4 December 2013 I Page 6

7. Bristol Good Food Charter
Sustainable Food is Good Food
Good for people

Tasty healthy affordable
Good for places

Good for workers and local businesses
Good for planet

Good for nature and good for animal
welfare
Thematic Network Sustainable Food in Urban Communities – Elected members training
2-4 December 2013 I Page 7

8. Priorities

Culture change: including re-skilling in kitchen and
garden, food purchasing, food waste

Increase markets for local food producers

public procurement

Improve retail diversity developing St Philips wholesale
market

Safeguard land for food and increase urban food
production
Thematic Network Sustainable Food in Urban Communities – Elected members training
2-4 December 2013 I Page 8

9. Bristol’s Local Support Group
› is composed of:
› Bristol’s Food Policy Council
› Strategic group of stakeholders overseeing the
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›
›
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development of the Good Food Plan.
Bristol Food Network
Grassroots food activists contributing to food activity in
Bristol
Other key stakeholders
Actively promoting sustainable food in Bristol
Thematic Network Sustainable Food in Urban Communities – Elected members training
2-4 December 2013 I Page 9

10. Bristol City Councils contribution
Bristol City Council’s internal food conversation
City Hall 7th May 2013
Mayors Food Conversations
‘Wasted Food’ on 20th May 2013
BBC Food & Farming event (May 2014)
Food Gathering 29th Nov 2013
Thematic Network Sustainable Food in Urban Communities – Elected members training
2-4 December 2013 I Page 10

11. Bristol City Councils contribution
(continued)
Supporting the production of the ‘Who
Feeds Bristol’ report
Supporting the Bristol Food Network
Supporting Food Growing in Bristol
Supporting the Bristol Pound
Thematic Network Sustainable Food in Urban Communities – Elected members training
2-4 December 2013 I Page 11

12. Sharing International Best Practise
› Our transnational meetings explore sustainable food
Brussels
Oslo, Messina, Athens
Amersfoort, Lyon, Ourense
Gothenburg, Vaslui, Bristol
through case studies, shared in more detail on our project mini website
and blog http://www.sustainable-everyday-project.net/urbact-sustainablefood/2012/10/16/about/
Thematic Network Sustainable Food in Urban Communities – Elected members training
2-4 December 2013 I Page 12

13. Bristol: supporting community food growing
projects
Thematic Network Sustainable Food in Urban Communities – Elected members training
2-4 December 2013 I Page 13

14. Bristol: working towards collaborative public
sector sustainable procurement
Thematic Network Sustainable Food in Urban Communities – Elected members training
2-4 December 2013 I Page 14

15. Bristol: Improving diversity in food
retail
Thematic Network Sustainable Food in Urban Communities – Elected members training
2-4 December 2013 I Page 15

16. Bristol: benefiting from ‘Food for Life
Partnership’
Thematic Network Sustainable Food in Urban Communities – Elected members training
2-4 December 2013 I Page 16

17. Some proposals for action planning for November
Gathering
Thematic Network Sustainable Food in Urban Communities – Elected members training
2-4 December 2013 I Page 17