It’s been a long time coming, but on 15th July the government published Towards a Good Food Cycle, a UK government food strategy for England considering the wider UK food system. Promising joined up government support for the strategy, ministers set out a vision of a healthier, more affordable, sustainable and resilient 21st century UK food system that grows the economy, feeds the nation, nourishes people, and protects the environment and climate, now and in the future.
Most importantly, the Good Food Cycle frames 10 ‘priority outcomes’ needed to build a strong food system, while tackling everything from obesity, food culture and animal welfare to resilience, security and climate change. Outcome 10 specifically mentions our own Sustainable Food Places and emphasises the importance of place-based partnerships like Sustainable Food Cornwall.
Defra has worked hard to involve grassroots voices in shaping its framework and Ruth Huxley landed the best bits of Cornwall’s agrifood strategy in the Good Food Cycle when she briefed secretary of state Steve Reed last month. The strategy acknowledges that transforming the UK’s food system is a long-term project of generational change that will require significant shifts from government, industry and consumers. It also recognises that many of the policies needed to drive this change are still under development.
The scale of the change required, and the level of buy-in and collaboration needed across government departments and industry, are considerable – and therein lies the rub. Governments often struggle to lift their eyes beyond the horizon of the current electoral cycle, especially given the international turbulence of recent times – but this framework is an excellent start, and there is reason for cautious optimism about the prospect of joining things up.
We at Sustainable Food Cornwall are committed to working in partnership in Cornwall to make the Good Food Cycle a reality here. A better and fairer food system lies at the heart of many of the most pressing issues we face – from climate change to the future of the NHS – and we want to see the vision outlined in this publication turned into reality through policy changes and sustained focus – nationally and locally.
“We welcome the Government’s Towards a Good Food Cycle as a timely and much-needed step towards a fairer, healthier and more sustainable food system. Here in Cornwall, where the connections between food, community and the environment run deep, we know how vital it is to turn good intentions into real change. This document sets the right direction — now we need bold, co-ordinated action to deliver on its promises and ensure that everyone can benefit from a resilient food system,” said Matthew Thomson, director of Sustainable Food Cornwall.