Exeter becomes the 40th member of the Sustainable Food Cities Network

Express & Echo article, 19th June 2015

Exeter has been recognised for its pioneering work to promote healthy and sustainable food and has become the 40th member of the Sustainable Food Cities Network, one of the fastest growing social movements in the UK today.

Exeter joins cities such as Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London that have made exemplary progress in improving access to good food and in tackling key issues like food poverty and waste. Exeter Community Food Network - which is a growing partnership of organisations that includes the City Council, businesses and community groups - will be sharing Exeter’s expertise and achievements and learning from other pioneers as part of a national good food movement.

Tom Andrews, Director of Sustainable Food Cities said: "From health issues such as obesity, diabetes and food poverty through to environmental issues such as climate change and waste and economic issues such as the disappearance of family farms and traditional high street food stores, there is a growing recognition that food not only lies at the heart of some of the biggest challenges facing us today, but is also a vital part of the solution.

"A growing number of leading cities have recognised that it is only by working together that we can hope to tackle these challenges and that is exactly what Exeter Community Food Network are doing. As soon as you scratch the surface, you start to realise how much innovative food work is going on in the City. From the amazing St Sidwell’s Community Centre and the Real Food Store to the inspiring work of the Devon and Cornwall Food Association, it will be great for other members of the Sustainable Food Cities Network to be able to learn from all that Exeter is doing.”

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