Sunderland has been recognised with a Bronze Sustainable Food Places Award for its work to make food healthier, more local, and better for the environment. This award celebrates the city’s commitment to creating a food system that supports everyone’s health and wellbeing.
The award highlights Sunderland’s progress in tackling important challenges such as making healthy food affordable and accessible for everyone and supporting a thriving local food economy. It recognises the power of partnership – bringing together organisations, communities, and businesses to improve food for everyone.
The Sunderland Good Food Partnership began in 2022 in response to rising food costs and the impact of COVID-19. It is open to anyone who wants to help create a fairer, healthier food system. Current partners include Gentoo, Sunderland Foodbank, University of Sunderland, Sunderland BID, and Groundwork NE. The partnership believes that no single organisation can solve these challenges alone – but by working together, Sunderland can make a real difference.
One of the partnership’s major successes has been working with Feeding Britain and range of community organisations to open new and extend existing Affordable Food Clubs. These clubs provide low-cost, nutritious food and essential household items, helping families manage tight budgets while maintaining healthy choices. The clubs are based at:
· Hope4All, Pennywell
· Kings Pantry, Southwick
· Youth Almighty Project, Silksworth
· The Box Youth Project, Doxford Park
· Community Opportunities, Fullwell
· Community Opportunities, Washington
· Space4, Houghton
Other achievements of the partnership include running campaigns to promote healthy eating and cut food waste. It also offers training to help local food businesses become more sustainable. The partnership works with schools across Sunderland to improve access to healthy meals and food education. And has created the Hendon Regenerative Culture Garden so more people can enjoy fresh, local produce.
Councillor Kelly Chequer, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Safer Communities, said:
“This award is a fantastic recognition of the work being done across Sunderland to improve health through food. Access to healthy, affordable and sustainable food is one of the building blocks of good health, and the Sunderland Good Food Partnership is helping make the healthy choice the easy choice for everyone. By working together with partners, businesses and communities, we’re tackling food insecurity while creating opportunities for people to eat well, feel better and live healthier lives. This Bronze Award highlights the progress we’ve made and strengthens our commitment to building a healthier city for the future.”
Leon Ballin, the Sustainable Food Places Programme Manager, said:
“The Sunderland 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, The Sunderland 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.”
