News - Sustainable Food Places success for Cheshire West and Chester

Cheshire West and Chester has won a Bronze Sustainable Food Places Award, recognising the West Cheshire Food Partnership’s work to create a fairer, healthier and more sustainable food system.

The Food Partnership is hosted by Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA) and funded by Cheshire West and Chester Council, working across sectors and with communities to tackle issues related to food.

The aim of the Food Partnership is to make sure everyone has access to affordable, healthy, sustainable and enjoyable food to make a decent meal.

In the past year, nearly 200 people and more than 100 different organisations have engaged with the Food Partnership, with highlights including:

• hosting a second West Cheshire Food Summit, attended by almost 70 people and helping set the vision and priorities for the Food Partnership
• welcoming Sustainable Food Places representatives to Cheshire West and Chester, showcasing the wide range of impactful work taking place
• embedding lived experience across the local food system
• continuing to develop sub groups of the Food Partnership, focusing on themes like eating well, growing well and starting well
• providing strategic leadership on behalf of the local food system at key meetings and boards
• delivering a comprehensive training package for Food Partnership members.

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.

Rebecca Story, Strategic Lead for the Food Partnership at CWVA, said: “This is an award that everyone connected with the Food Partnership should be very proud of as it’s been a real team effort.

“The Food Partnership is a collaborative network of organisations and individuals from across the whole food system, all working together to achieve our collective aims.

“Everyone is passionate to make sure all in our communities have access to affordable, healthy, sustainable and enjoyable food to make a decent meal.

“The panel highlighted our many strengths, including joint working, the important role of lived experience in our food system and the clear structure of the Food Partnership.

“We’re excited to continue developing the Food Partnership, making Cheshire West and Chester a better place for all.”

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, added: “I am so proud that Cheshire West has achieved this award.

“Such a vast amount of work has taken place across our borough, building on our strengths of working in partnership as individuals and organisations.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what more we can achieve as we work together to make sure every resident has access to a healthy, affordable, sustainable and enjoyable diet.”

• Find out more about the West Cheshire Food Partnership