Transcript: Scaling out place-based, community-centred food initiatives

Transcript for the video embedded on the Urban Food Systems page.

(A title says: Scaling out place-based, community-centred food initiatives.)

(A caption says: Dr Effie Papargyropoulou, Associate Professor in Sustainable Food Networks.)

Effie: One in five people in the UK are food insecure, meaning they lack access to enough affordable and nutritious food. 

Food hubs is an umbrella term for community-based charitable organisations that distribute food to those in need, including: food banks, food pantries, community cafes and food growing schemes.

Working with the Food Foundation ten food hubs across the UK, our research investigates the benefits of food hubs and how policymakers can better support their work.

We found that food hubs bring significant benefits to local communities and the food system. They improve people's access to affordable, healthy food, enhancing their physical and mental health.

They help the environment by using food surplus to make meals and reduce waste. They strengthen local food systems by using produce from local farmers and encouraging people to grow their own food.

Therefore, we call for policy support at national, regional and local levels to help food hubs expand their impact, transition from emergency food provision to more holistic models, and promote community well-being, healthier diets, environmental sustainability and local economies.

(A caption shows logos for The Food Foundation, Foodwise Leeds, Leeds City Council and Policy Leeds. Text says: Find out more at www.leeds.ac.uk/policy-leeds.)