Ways of tackling hunger in Oxford have been discussed by a group of more than 50 residents, policymakers, and community leaders.

The discussions took place on Friday, October 17, at the Feeding Oxford: Ensuring Dignity and Access Amid Rising Costs event during Challenge Poverty Week.

The event aimed to find community-led actions to combat hunger and food insecurity in the city.

Community researchers Hassan Sabrie and Mujahid Hamidi, supported by Healthwatch Oxfordshire, collaborated with their OX4 Food Crew partners to survey 166 residents who rely on food parcels and free meals.

They aimed to gain a better understanding of the impact of rising living costs and the root causes driving people to rely on community food support.

They shared a short film at the Rose Hill Community Centre event, highlighting their work, and provided updates on steps taken since the report's publication in July this year.

The Agnes Smith Advice Centre now offers weekly advice services at Oxford Community Action’s pop-up Wednesday food bank.

Oxford Community Action also announced plans to pilot a community-led social supermarket over the next six months alongside their Wednesday food bank to provide affordable and culturally relevant staple foods to their communities.

In partnership with Oxfordshire CAG and Active Oxfordshire, Oxford Community Action has also launched community growing projects in Blackbird Leys and east Oxford.

Oxford Mutual Aid has been working to strengthen the partnership’s food sourcing through bulk purchasing trials.

Waste2Taste has been working with Oxford City Farm to develop culturally diverse, budget-friendly recipe cards using common ingredients, to share across community food services.

The OX4 Food Crew has also collectively developed accessible online and print resources to help volunteers and staff signpost residents toward wider financial and holistic support.

Participants at the event, including community members and representatives from local authorities, health providers, and commissioners, held in-depth discussions on collaboration, improving service accessibility, funding sustainability, food supply, and the stigma associated with accessing food aid.

A follow-up event in early December will be held online, welcoming both attendees and other interested stakeholders to continue these discussions.

Dr Veronica Barry, executive director of Healthwatch Oxfordshire, said: "It was such a great event, which really shows the power of community research, not only to hear from communities and bring people together, but also to make things happen.

"It clearly highlighted people’s experiences of the cost of living challenges.

"I’d like to thank all who came and shared their ideas, and I’m looking forward to keeping these crucial conversations going to bring about more practical and collaborative change."