The Farming for 1.5°C Inquiry has brought together farmers, practitioners, scientists, researchers, environmentalists, policy experts and campaigners. They have been charged with finding consensus on a path to net zero for Scottish farming that still delivers a robust industry, that is integral to the culture, nature and prosperity of Scotland.

The inquiry explored and identified key expertise and advice; and with their collective experience, tested the practicality and applicability of current and future measures. It aims to recommend appropriate adoptable action in the short term; identify system changes in the medium term and to outline longer-term land use changes. This interim report outlines 15 principles for Scottish agricultural transformation.

Nourish Scotland and Seafood Scotland came together to bring people from across the fish+ sector to imagine what Fish+ in a Good Food Nation could look like and how we could get there. Over 60 fishers, producer organisations public procurement representatives, businesses, environmental NGOs and community councils came together for this one-day conference. This report tries to convey the main themes and tone of the day’s conversations. 

Our 2021 Manifesto was co-produced with our members ahead of the Holyrood elections. We collated 10 bold ideas for what the next government could do to transform our food system. From future-proofing our farming to reimagining public kitchens and reducing food packaging waste, with a bit of political will a lot could be achieved in the course of the next parliament.

What is a ‘sustainable food system’? This question cannot be answered in a few words; so many issues come into play and influence each other. You only have to begin to think about your last dinner – Where was it grown? What impact did production have on soils and water supplies? Were the workers treated fairly? Who are you eating it with? It could go on and on.

The Food Atlas draws together some of these issues, using stats, graphs, and maps to communicate the evidence. It provides a visual indication of the current state of affairs, outlines our vision for a more equal and sustainable future, and hints at how we might get from here to there.

Scotland’s Food Atlas is the result of a collaboration between Nourish and the wonderful Data by Design – a graphic design start-up who communicate evidence and data in beautiful ways, for a better future, environment and society.

To receive a printed copy by post, sign up as Nourish member.

Between February and April 2018, over 800 people discussed the future of Scotland’s food system through the Scottish Food Coalition’s Kitchen Table Talks. Conversations took place from the Scottish borders to the Shetland Islands, around dinner tables, in town halls, community gardens and allotments, at Universities and places of worship.

A Seat at the Table summarises people’s views and concludes that Kitchen Table Talks demonstrated a strong public appetite for participation in making Scotland a Good Food Nation. The report therefore calls on the Scottish Government to show leadership and host a truly inclusive national conversation on the future of our food system.

In March 2018, Nourish and the Poverty Truth Commission launched the report – ‘Dignity in Practice: learning, tools and guidance for community food providers’ – reflecting the learning from our year-long Dignity Project.

The report provides practical guidance, case studies and tools for community organisations seeking to promote and restore dignity in responses to food insecurity. It highlights the importance of community organisations providing emotional and practical support to people experiencing food insecurity, as well as inclusive spaces for people in the community to access, share and enjoy food, regardless of their circumstances.

As part of the Dignity Project, we also co-developed a set of reflective exercises to support staff, volunteers and those taking part in community initiatives to reflect on what more could be done to put dignity at the heart of community responses to food insecurity.

Nourish Scotland worked with the Scottish Farm Land Trust to explore the issue of access to land for new farmers and how a land trust could contribute to a positive future for farming in Scotland.

The Scottish Farm Land Trust is a new organisation which aims to increase access to land for new entrants who want to farm using agroecological methods. The SFLT aims to acquire farmland to rent out with secure, affordable tenancies, and in this way support a thriving farming landscape in Scotland with farms that are connected to local people.

Nourish Scotland worked with Forth Environment Link to look at the opportunity in Stirling to lead Scotland in transitioning to a food system that is fair, healthy and sustainable. This ‘Good Food Stirling’ report outlines some of the brilliant work already underway in Stirling as well as recommendations for action.

Stirling could soon be renowned for its dynamic food culture, as a place where everybody enjoys good food and a healthy diet, a region where conservation and food production go hand in hand, where wildlife is thriving and food growing and shared meals are bringing communities together

Nourish Scotland was commissioned by the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland to listen to what children think about food insecurity.

We listened to 32 children across Renfrewshire, Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh talking about the causes, coping mechanisms, and solutions to food insecurity.

This report from the Scottish Food Coalition, of which Nourish is a founding member, made waves in Scottish politics, leading to commitments from the SNP, Scottish Labour and Scottish Greens for framework legislation for the food system.

Describing our potential food future, as well as why and how we need to change, Plenty offers an up to date and comprehensive look at the whole system.

There is no reason why we shouldn’t have plenty of good food for everyone in Scotland, we have the people and the resources to make it happen, but we need a coherent strategy that joins the dots!

For more information on the campaign for framework legislation, see our campaigns page.

Nourish Scotland sent evidence to a UN Committee detailing UK and Scottish Government failure to meet obligations under international human rights law.

The evidence highlights the impact of austerity and stagnant wages on the financial accessibility of food.

There is no comprehensive monitoring of food insecurity in the UK but estimates suggest in the region of 10-20% are not sure whether they will have enough food to meet their needs.

Some social security reforms have had a discriminatory impact on the ability of women, children and disabled people to afford food, contravening international human rights.

Nourish Scotland advocates the right to food, believing that everybody from the moment they’re born to the moment they die deserves adequate good food.

Promoting a ‘cash first’ approach to food insecurity in Scotland (2021) explores lessons from our work with Menu for Change and IFAN, developing ‘Worrying About Money?’ leaflets.

The ‘Good Food’ Case for the provision of Universal Free School Meals in Scotland (2021) is a discussion paper exploring the whole-system approach to food provision in schools.

Policy Asks – Scottish Parliament election 2016 is a short briefing outlining our headline campaigns with core asks from the next Parliament. It was sent to all candidate MSPs on 29 February 2016.

Food in a Common Weal Scotland is a think piece that Nourish prepared as a contribution to the Common Weal library. Common Weal was started by the Jimmy Reid Foundation taking the opportunity of the independence referendum to think about what would make Scotland a fairer, more equal society. Common Weal, an old Scots phrase means both wealth shared in common and for the wellbeing of all.

Growing the Local Food Economy is a report based on a survey of local food businesses in Scotland, giving a better idea about the nature of local food in Scotland and a more comprehensive overview of the barriers preventing growth of the local food economy.

Our 2014 Annual Report gives a flavour of some of Nourish’s projects and activities

One planet food: Our mutual food. (2010) Starting by reviewing the existing food system, highlighting its shortcomings, this report explores the scope for food system change in Fife. (Pre-Nourish, but co-authored by Pete Ritchie)