It was exciting and heartening to be part of the national #thefoodconversation on Monday night, right here in Herefordshire.
After a hearty snack of 100% Herefordshire soup, local cheeses, bread and chutneys - we got stuck in to the conversation about our food system. A video set the scene and we then heard from two local producers about where they are in the 'food system'.
What do people want? Well, after looking at many things working, and not working about food right now it was pretty hard to whittle down the very many thoughts in the room but a few themes seemed to run across all the tables and chats.
Policy change - regulating ultra processed foods, and supporting both independent and local food production. But a clear call for policy to be co-created by ALL of us!
Education - for everyone, really, but some talk of schools and also examples of where this is going well locally.
And a change in supermarket practices - people shared stories of farmers being let down on crops, and prices they're paid being too low - with a suggestion that changing their practices is something that customers do have some control over.
Thank you! To you for coming, to Ledbury Food Group, Sustainable Ledbury, Ledbury Town Council and Herefordshire Council's Greener Footprints Week for working together to get this conversation going. Let's keep it going.
And to #thefoodconversation for making our voices bigger and taking it where it needs to go!
We're able to do a couple more of these conversations, potentially online and one that's family- friendly. If you'd like to help make it happen, or know a group /location that would be great for a conversation, please get in touch!