The Somerset Food Resilience Network
Food insecurity affects many people in the county and can have serious implications for their health and wellbeing. We are part of a network of over 30 voluntary, statutory and industry-based organisations committed to tackling the issue in the Somerset.
Tackling food insecurity together
Funded by Somerset Council, the network has established three task and finish groups, each concentrating on a key area; Supply and Distribution, Cooking Skills and Equipment, and Pathways to Food Resilience.
These groups have discussed the challenges of food insecurity, its impact on individuals and local communities, and how we can work together to create solutions. The emphasis has very much been on mindset change, aiming to address the underlying causes of food insecurity to achieve sustainable outcomes.
Food Resilience Charter
Sign our Food Resilience Charter to show your commitment to helping people in Somerset to access people to access healthy and nutritious food.
Find out more
Food projects in Somerset
We have created a map of organisations which aim to support food resilience in Somerset, including food banks, community pantries, and growing and gardening projects.
If you have a food project you would like to add to the map, please get in touch.
View the map
How the Network supports local groups
Heather Whittle from the Bridgwater Food and Support Alliance explains how her group benefits from being a member of the Somerset Food Resilience Network, and shares their aspirations for the future.
Next steps...
Discussions have always looked beyond the task and finish groups, and the legacy of the work will be the funding of a new role supported by NHS South West.
The new role recognises the value of local partnership working and food alliances across the county and will work to build their capacity whilst remaining responsive to emerging needs.
The postholder will enable outreach via the network into communities through cooking workshops and wrap around support, as well as engagement with local food organisations around the principles of the Food Resilience Charter. There will also be a small grants pot for local food organisations to apply to.
We are now recruiting for the role and you can find out more here [add link].
I've enjoyed meeting other groups who are doing what we're doing, which is cooking surplus food and delivering it to those who need it most. I've been very inspired by the people we've met and the ideas they've shared.
