Efforts to tackle food waste and food poverty across Oxfordshire have been recognised after the county won a Bronze Sustainable Food Places Award.

The award is designed to recognise and celebrate the success of places that are taking a joined up, holistic approach to food and that are achieving significant positive change on a range of key food issues such as food poverty and sustainability.

The award has recognised the collective efforts of businesses, community and voluntary groups, councils, universities and individuals right across Oxfordshire.

Read also: Parents fight for safer A415 crossing after several 'near misses'

Councillor Mark Lygo said: “In Oxfordshire, food makes up nearly half of our ecological footprint – 43 per cent, while we waste nearly 10 million tonnes of food each year. The impact of Covid in Oxfordshire has increased awareness of the food system and the vital role it plays in residents’ everyday lives alongside the growing pressures of climate change, biodiversity loss and the need for healthy affordable food. 

“From obesity and diet related ill-health, to food poverty and waste, from climate change and biodiversity loss to social isolation, food is not only at the heart of some of our greatest problems but is also a vital part of the solution – and there is still a lot of work to do."

Mr Lygo highlighted that a sustainable food system is vital for equality – and without it, disadvantaged children could get left behind. 
The council is working with Good Food Oxford, which has supported the expansion of sustainable food places in the county, to develop a county-wide food strategy.

Read also: Food ordering app for local restaurants to launch

Throughout the pandemic, there has been work across the county to tackle food poverty, diverting excess food in the retail supply to community food organisations. 

This has saved tonnes of food per week from landfill and made sure it gets to those who need it. 

Tackling food poverty is about more than just providing groceries – the city’s network of community food groups are estimated to save over three tonnes of food per week from being wasted. 

Fiona Steele, from Good Food Oxford, said: “The Sustainable Food Places Bronze Award is fantastic recognition for the work that is happening across the county to build a fairer and more sustainable local food system."

She added: “We are delighted with the partnerships that have been developed across all of the districts and city councils and look forward to working with these partners as we continue our Sustainable Food Places journey towards silver and gold”. 

The city council voted to support a county-wide food strategy, based on the experiences and insights of the pandemic. In the first lockdown, normal food support for vulnerable people and families was unable to operate in a Covid-safe way and the council stepped in to fill the gap. 

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on news@nqo.com or 01865 425 445.