Campaigners will bring kitchen tables and chairs outside the Scottish Parliament to launch a report on public priorities for the future of food in Scotland. [1] [2]
The report, published by the Scottish Food Coalition, asked the public their top priorities and concerns for a Good Food Nation, adding pressure on the Scottish Government to begin its overdue consultation on a Bill before the Summer Recess. [3]
Top concerns included: the affordability of a healthy diet, and the environmental impact of our food system.
Top priorities included: action to facilitate local food economies, make all food production sustainable, and to improve access to good food. [2]
Amabel Crowe, Scottish Food Coalition Coordinator, said:
“With over 800 people participating in the Food Coalition’s Kitchen Table Talk engagement, it’s clear that there is public appetite for a national conversation on what it means to be a Good Food Nation.
“People who participated in the engagement want to see the Scottish Government take action to support local food economies, make all food sustainable through incentives and regulation, and to improve financial and physical access to healthy diets.
“Never has there been a timelier moment to introduce law – food sits at the heart of Scotland’s biggest challenges, from food insecurity to poor health, from worker rights to our warming climate.
“The Scottish Government needs to hear these voices, the public consultation on a Good Food Nation Bill can’t just be about business as usual, it has to listen to the families relying on food banks, the people with chronic health conditions, the workers and the farmers who feed Scotland. We all welcome the opportunity for a world leading Food Bill.”
Dave Watson, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at UNISON, said:
“The consultation is long overdue. It must start soon and be well thought out and inclusive.
“We are part of the Scottish Food Coalition because we want a food system based on the principles of social and environmental justice, with public services leading by example.”
Lorraine Tulloch, Programme Lead for Obesity Action Scotland said:
“The Kitchen Table Talks have reinforced how important it is that we improve the accessibility and affordability of a healthy diet. If we truly want to call ourselves a Good Food Nation then we must have a Bill that enables everyone in Scotland to have a healthy diet.”
Robin McAlpine, Common Weal, said:
“Food is one of the most political conversations people have in Scotland and there are widespread and very strong views about how our food system should be improved for our health, for our economy and for our quality of life among many other things. It really is time that the Scottish Government pressed on with the Good Food Nation Bill to start the process of getting public policy catch up with the hopes and aspirations of the Scottish public”
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
[1] Photo action outside the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 23 May 2018, at 12:30 [2] The report of top priorities and concerns from Kitchen Table Talks, and map of where responses were received from is available online: https://www.nourishscotland.org/campaigns/good-food-nation-bill/a-seat-at-the-table/ [3] The Scottish Government committed to consulting on a Good Food Nation Bill in its 2016 and 2017 Programme for Government: https://beta.gov.scot/publications/nation-ambition-governments-programme-scotland-2017-18/****
The Scottish Food Coalition is a civil society coalition working for food justice in Scotland. Members range from trade unions to environmental organisations.
We want to transform our food system so that it contributes to everyone’s health and wellbeing, values the work to put food on our plate, supports high animal welfare, and sustains our wildlife, natural resources and environment for generations to come.
Contact – Scottish Food Coalition
Amabel Crowe
Scottish Food Coalition Coordinator
e: bella@foodcoalition.scot
t: 07432 601324