News / Food Justice Fortnight
Food Justice Fortnight and the journey towards food equality
Food Justice Fortnight (FJF) is back for its third year with a programme, running until July 5, that demonstrates the political, social and environmental role food plays in our lives.
The 2022 event hosted the launch of Bristol’s ten-year Food Equality Strategy, which noted food inequality as a key driver of health inequalities.
Last year, Feeding Bristol – the council’s partner on the strategy and FJF organisers – said their focus was on planning effective action for food equality.
is needed now More than ever
Bristol24/7 caught up with Feeding Bristol director Ped Asgarian to see if any plans had been put into action.
‘Food equality’ means access to affordable, healthy and culturally-appropriate for everyone – photo: Ursula Billington
The current food landscape in Bristol isn’t looking good, according to Asgarian.
“We’re in the context of difficult times, and it’s getting worse,” he concedes. “The statistics show a significant increase in those experiencing food inequality or insecurity.”
On average, 8.3 per cent of people report moderate or severe food insecurity, a rise on 2023. In Hartcliffe and Withywood that figure climbs to 19.3 per cent.
“We’re not seeing things directly getting better, but we are seeing a lot of things starting to happen,” says Asgarian.
“We’re moving towards turning talk into tangible actions. It’s not just putting food into people’s hands, but creating a longer term impact on changing aspects of our food system or culture to better suit different communities.”
On the ground projects include Feeding Bristol’s distribution of £1m of the Household Support Fund – an annual £8m funding pot for at-risk households provided by the government – to over 100 organisations working on food equality initiatives in the community.
“That’s tens of thousands of households across the city continually supported over the year as a consequence,” says Asgarian.
Another project has focused on culturally appropriate food. Feeding Bristol, Bristol Food Producers and the Bristol Food Network have collaborated to find out what will enable minoritised groups to access the food they want to cook with.
Local growers were then asked to consider how they could help – whether providing food growing land for diverse groups or growing a more varied selection of fresh produce.
Last year Sara Venn ran a session on ‘soil justice as food justice’ at Speedwell allotments; this year local environmentalists and growers will take part in discussions on soil health, local food production and food’s climate impact – photo: Feeding Bristol
Access to food growing opportunities is a vital aspect of food equality. There has been some progress – for example, the development of a project at Oldbury Court that was granted funding before the local elections.
“Land for growing is a continual conversation with the council,” says Asgarian. “The previous administration were very keen to develop that area and I’d imagine the new one has a similar desire considering who they are as a party.
“They’re keen to continue the One City approach which is really positive as it allows organisations like us to work closely with them and bring other voices in.
“But it’s important to recognise that working in a collaborative and co-productive way is not a quick job. If you want to make sure that people’s voices are being listened to and their involved in the journey, that does take time.”
Asgarian is finding optimism in the grassroots projects that have developed into sustainable enterprises over the last few years.
He cites Avon Gleaning Network, that collects leftover produce from farms and redistributes to food banks. Its offshoot project Bountiful Bristol passes surplus fresh produce from allotments to food support settings.
Lush Greens, a salad growing enterprise in Whitchurch that will host a FJF tour and discussion on July 2, is doing valuable work with food growing and social prescribing; while Shaping Places is a council project supporting communities to progress gardening and growing projects for social benefit.
“We’re seeing the development of grassroots ideas into actual tangible projects that have a plan, a budget, opportunities to develop, and the infrastructure starting to grow as a consequence,” says Asgarian.
FJF works to give a voice to different communities, and has a focus on refugee voices this year – holding events with Borderlands, Houria and Moveable Feast – photo: Luke Cass
Food Justice Fortnight isn’t all about awareness raising, he says – rather, it’s a celebration of the groups making a difference in the community.
“It’s the balance of engaging people with things they didn’t know about on their doorstep and offering new perspectives – but doing that in a way that celebrates the people doing the work.
“It’s showing those people their amazing work is recognised, they’re being listened to, that we’re advocating for them.
“It’s raising awareness within communities of what they have a right to, what they should fight for and to let them know that they are being supported.”
Ultimately, Asgarian admits, it’s a journey – and it’s still the beginning.
“Sometimes it’s difficult to see the changes that are being made, especially when it’s lots of small steps being taken at the same time. But it’s really important we’re not just doing one thing.
“We can’t just pull one lever and expect to solve all the problems. You have to be pulling several levers at the same time.
“It’s not just about food, it’s about addressing poverty as a whole. And when it all starts moving forward at the same time, change starts happening – that’s what we need to focus on.”
To explore the full range of events taking place as part of Food Justice Fortnight visit www.feedingbristol.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Programme-FJF24-Updated-21st-June.pdf
Main photo: Feeding Bristol
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