Last year we were reflecting on the rare moment of policy confluence for farming and land use, with the land reform, farm subsidy reform and Just Transition Commission’s work jointly presenting an opportunity for deeper change. But agriculture and land use are only part of the food
Read more →
Try mentioning the “agricultural subsidy reform”, and see the light drain from other people’s eyes. Apart from a handful of die-hard enthusiasts, the new Agriculture Bill is failing to ignite the nation’s imagination. But it should! The government is designing a new farming subsidy system – the
Read more →
Today’s Programme for Government (PfG) offers welcome measures to mitigate the impact of the cost of living crisis on food insecurity. It also promises further action for more nature friendly farming, forestry and fishing. Food is scattered in other portfolios too, and it is clear that the
Read more →
Joined-up policy, like a common language, often feels more like a dream than an aspiration. Kant said ‘Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made’, and it may be that silos are as inevitable as death and taxes. But there are times
Read more →
Maxwell Centre community garden is an astonishing example of care without contrivance, art without artifice – with more than 300 varieties of mostly edible plants rubbing shoulders amicably in borders, raised beds, containers, trained along the walls or bursting out of the polytunnel. From wallflowers to walnuts
Read more →
This week sees the Period Products (Scotland) Act come into effect – a world-leading law which requires local authorities to make free period products obtainable by all who need them. It’s a great example of universal human rights in action – extending access to period products as
Read more →
Picture this: the Royal Highland Show, the Scottish Government Pavilion. Organic snacks, a display of beautiful Scottish organic produce from across the sectors. A handful of presenters from key operators including Scotland Food & Drink, talking about how they could support growing the organic sector. The occasion
Read more →
Nourish coordinated a project on a small Scottish Government (Pockets & Prospects) grant, that offered ‘essential kitchen equipment’ to households in early 2022. Eleven partner organisations from across Scotland approached households through their community meals, cooking- and other food-related activities and distributed just over £6k worth of
Read more →
Tom Cruise fans waiting for the latest instalment next month have already seen a car chase trailer with a 5 series 540i BMW. Even driven much more carefully than in the film, this gas guzzler struggles to do better than 20 miles per gallon. Since 2020, the
Read more →
At yesterday’s Committee meeting the many attempts to improve the Good Food Nation Bill went nowhere, as the Government was in no mood to compromise. The amendments clarifying the Bill’s purpose as giving effect to the right to food, setting up an independent food commission, committing to
Read more →