Durham: Developing an effective food partnership and action plan

Building effective networksWorkshop 3

SFC Event, Edinburgh 6th November 2015

Dr Liz CharlesProject Coordinator, Food Durham

Context – Co Durham 862 square miles

513,200 population (2011 census)

Context – Co Durham• Designated as “Rural 50”

– 89% of land area classed as rural– 43% of population live in rural areas

• Diverse mix of settlements• Agricultural production. Out of 147,004ha of farmed land:

– 74,369ha LFA grazing livestock– 15,413ha lowland grazing livestock– 28,386ha cereals– 99 ha horticulture (incl. 27 ha veg grown in open; 5 ha top fruit)

Building a countywide food partnership

• Relationship building takes time• Inclusive participation• Task orientated – developing a Sustainable Local Food Strategy• Workshops – geographical spread• Meetings with specialists • Larger events – good food!

Working hard!

Getting the right people involved

Partnership Board• Built on project steering

group• Tried skills audit …• Identified gaps• Ask, ask, ask ..• ‘Hard to get’:

- Business- Farmers (Chair + 1)http://fooddurham.net/foodpartnership/food-partnership-board

Sub – Groups• Targeted interest• Emerged naturally

through process• Easier to get engagement

Public Sector ProcurementFood & Health

Community Growing

General Membership• Open to all – organisations and individuals• Communicate via email group• Current membership = over 200

• Invite to events, including Annual Gathering

Contact Details

[email protected] 742044

http://fooddurham.net/ @Food_Durhamhttps://www.facebook.com/GrowingDurham?fref=ts