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Middlesbrough
Food Sustainability Action Plan Launched
Middlesbrough’s Food Sustainability
Action Plan was launched at an event at Linthorpe Road Resource Centre
on Tuesday 13th September 2011.
The Food Sustainability Action Plan has been developed by
Middlesbrough
Environment
City
in partnership with Middlesbrough Council as part of the Middlesbrough
One Planet Living Programme.
The plan looks at four important aspects of food – local production,
choosing healthy options, tackling food waste and helping people in
developing countries by choosing Fairtrade products. The Action Plan
contains many suggestions on how Middlesbrough residents can enjoy food whilst living a
healthier lifestyle, saving money and reducing their impact on the
environment. Research has
shown, for example, that an average family in the UK throws away over £600 of
perfectly good food each year.
Simple actions, such as reusing leftovers, can save money whilst
also creating delicious and healthy meals.
Middlesbrough is already at the forefront nationally in
sustainable food. The town
has an active community growing project with over 100 community groups
growing their own produce.
Some of this finds its way to the annual Middlesbrough Town Meal that
attracts up to 10,000 people each year.
Last year the event was runner up in the BBC Radio 4 Food and
Farming Awards. The launch event included presentations on the various
aspects of the Food Sustainability Action Plan, as well as presentations
by local food growers and suppliers.
In his review of the national picture of food production, Mick
Marston from the Soil Association, praised
Middlesbrough’s activity on local food – saying that the
town was at the forefront of sustainable food.
The event,
attended by around 70 people, also provided an opportunity to view the
thought-provoking film “Food Inc” that looks at modern intensive farming
practices. Guests also had
the opportunity to try local produce, including squash soup and hand
pressed apple juice.
The plan is
available to download from the MEC web site.
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