Representatives from more than 100 organisations are joining us today (17 May 2018) for a Bristol Green Capital Partnership gathering to launch Bristol’s ambition to be the first Gold Award Sustainable Food City in the UK.

Organised by Bristol Green Capital Partnership and Bristol Food Network with support from fresh-range.com, the event is challenging organisations from the city’s private, public and third sectors to make positive changes to their own food practices, as a contribution to the Going for Gold bid.

Bristol won the Sustainable Food Cities Silver Award in 2016, following Brighton & Hove the year before. Since then Greater London has also achieved silver status. All three cities are now thought to be aiming to become the UK’s first recognised Gold Sustainable Food City.

The Sustainable Food Cities Award is a national programme run by the Soil Association, Food Matters and Sustain, to highlight and celebrate the success of places taking a joined‑up approach to food around the UK, and that are achieving significant, systemic change on a range of key food issues.

Joy Carey, a director of both Bristol Food Network and Bristol Green Capital Partnership CIC said: “We already have so much to be proud of as a city. Bristol is internationally recognised for its innovative food businesses, projects and practices to make healthy, sustainable, ethical and local food a defining characteristic of our city.

However, the global food system is in crisis, and much wider and deeper change is needed if Bristol is to help address the devastating impact this is having on our health, our environment, and the places where we live.”

Cllr Asher Craig, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities & Public Health, who is speaking at the event, said: “Bristol has a really positive reputation for independent and unique food businesses that have meant we are known internationally for our outstanding food culture.  Through our Bristol Eating Better Awards, we are working hard to make sure all our institutions are representative of the environmental and health standards we are trying to strive towards.

“I welcome this bid and hope it helps to enhance the good work that is already going on in the city.”

During the event, attendees are learning more about six key food topics and consider what specific changes their organisation can make that relate to these issues: Food Waste and Resources; Sourcing; Community Action; Eating Better; Food Insecurity and Vulnerability; and Growing Spaces.

Bristol Green Capital Partnership Chief Executive, Ian Townsend, said: “Organisations may think making small changes to their own food practices, such as sourcing more food locally or getting rid of disposable cups, makes little difference. But the collective impact of hundreds of organisations across the city working towards this ambition would be huge.

“With a cross-sector Partnership of more than 800 organisations, this is a great opportunity to work together with the wider city community to help Bristol to become a truly sustainable food city – and inspire other cities to follow our environmental sustainability lead.”

Follow us @bgreencapital on Twitter or LinkedIn or join the conversation using #BristolGoingForGold

Look out for a blog in our next e-newsletter with a summary of the event and top tips to get involved – or if you are not already signed up, consider becoming a member of Bristol Green Capital Partnership to help you and your organisation work towards a sustainable Bristol with a high quality of life for all.

Find more information about sustainable food in Bristol here.