In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis and the ever-worsening climate and ecological emergencies, it is more important than ever that the food in our city works for communities, climate and nature. Bristol Good Food is an exciting new online hub that helps people in Bristol navigate, celebrate and participate in the abundance of good food activity taking place across the city. The hub lists local food events, news, stories and resources and covers everything from where to access good, affordable food to how to get involved with community growing groups; as well as helping people get involved with cookery classes, days out on local farms and much, much more.
You can navigate the events on the website depending on your interests – search for ‘big ideas’, workshops, eating out, farming, free, grow your own, money saving, online talks, or kid-friendly activities. If you are involved in a food organisation, from a food bank to a community growing project, get in touch to list your event on the site so that more people in the city know about it.
The way we produce, buy, cook, eat and throw away food in Bristol is important. It impacts our health, our communities, and our economy, and contributes to the climate and ecological emergencies the planet faces today. Bristol’s good food scene is a thriving part of the city and in 2021 the city was awarded a Gold Sustainable Food City award. Bristol Good Food has been set up to grow Bristol’s good food movement further and ensure that as many people as possible can benefit from all that is happening here. With more than 70 organisations already involved in the project, there’s plenty for you to explore.
Cllr Ellie King, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Health and Communities said: “It is uplifting to see so many fantastic organisations working hard across the city to make our local food system more equitable, sustainable and resilient. I am delighted that Bristol Good Food is bringing so many of those organisations together in one place, helping more people access provisions and events and take positive action around food. This One City approach signals the priority Bristol places on our food systems in recognition of the crucial role food plays in creating good health and a sustainable city”.
Heloise Balme, Board Director at Bristol Food Network, adds: “In the face of a cost-of-living crisis and rising inequality it is so important that everyone in the city has the opportunity to access nutritious and sustainable food. By connecting local people and organisations, we have the opportunity to build a food system that is good for Bristol, and lead other cities in the UK and across the globe in co-creating a food system that’s good for everyone.”
The Bristol Good Food Partnership is a collection of organisations working together, behind the website, to deliver ambitious action plans which aim to make change across our whole local food system. Almost 30 organisations are involved in developing the action plans including Feeding Bristol, Bristol Food Producers, University of Bristol, Resource Futures, Bristol Waste Company, The Community Farm, Square Food Foundation, Bristol Green Capital Partnership and many more. Bristol Good Food is coordinated by Bristol Food Network, with the support of Bristol City Council.
In addition to the organisations working on the action plans, there are many other groups working on good food in Bristol. Explore the Bristol Good Food directory to find out which organisations are helping to make Bristol’s food system better for communities, climate and nature, and how you can connect with them.