More than 80 people attended the very first West Cheshire Food Summit to help make sure local people can access the food support they need.
The sold-out event was run by Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA) and Cheshire West and Chester Council, highlighting the national links to Sustainable Food Places and Feeding Britain and inviting speakers like Helen Tandy from Eco Communities and Sustainable Cheshire and members of staff from the Trussell Trust.
It was a chance to pause and reflect on the fantastic work going on around food, as well as plan together for the future.
Many people and organisations who provide food support attended the event, while people with lived experience shared their invaluable views and some of their key areas of influence over the last 12 months.
The aim of the summit was to build a movement of people and organisations who all want to play a role in the vision of: “Everyone in west Cheshire has access to affordable, healthy, sustainable and enjoyable food”.
Stephanie Ellis, Food Strategy Lead at CWVA, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people in the room for this first event in west Cheshire.
“A coordinated approach to accessing food, with everyone working together towards the same goal, is so important.
“We wanted to bring people together in one place so we could all have meaningful conversations and look at ways we can all work together.
“There was a lot to celebrate, as well as a lot more to do, and we were delighted that there was so much energy in the room to work together and continue the conversations that have been started.
“I’d like to thank the team at Hoole Community Centre for being so accommodating and helping the day run smoothly.”
Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of the Council, added: “I was delighted to speak at the West Cheshire Food Summit and connect with so many fantastic organisations and people.
“We’re working very closely with CWVA and other community sector organisations around the food agenda and wider cost of living support.
“These are challenging times for us all and we want to have a plan for the future that everyone can contribute to so people can access the support they need.”
The Council website has a range of information about the cost of living and support that residents can access.
CWVA provides support to community sector organisations – charities, community groups and other charitable organisations – so they have the skills and expertise to offer excellent services.
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