Notes from first Food Group meeting - 10 December 2007

Notes by Ann Baldridge

The meeting was attended by Chris, Jacob, Simon, Jo, Ann, Simon, Jess and John

The group discussed some of the themes they’d like to address, ways of engaging with people around the city, and some of the activities that could be a part of the group’s work programme. The first meeting involved an informal discussion. It was agreed that future meetings will have a chair and a set agenda.

Some of the issues discussed:

- Supermarkets and whether there is a place for them in the Transition vision of society.
- Local food and how and where to buy it. It was agreed that supply of local food needs to increase if we plan to feed ourselves.
- Intensive urban growing
- Food waste
- Land use: it was suggested that the food group speak to the government liaison group about land use in Brighton & Hove

Ideas for activities:

- Develop an education programme to raise awareness of the benefits of local food, to lobby the council for more land to grow on, and to increase skills around food growing (e.g. via lectures on food growing)
- Start a community allotment managed by TBH food group
- Develop a step-by-step guide to becoming a greener consumer which would include a guide to shopping for local, sustainable produce in Brighton
- Facilitate a skills sharing system (see Bright Exchange or Freeconomy) to increase skills around growing food
- Organise talks on food issues (e.g. food and fuel)
- Organise a large networking event, possibly with speakers
- Hold an Open Space Event to discuss the future of the city’s food system

Next meeting: Tuesday 15th January, 7:30 at Brighton Eco Centre, Basement meeting room, 39-41 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PB (across from Brighton station). Ring Ann on 07729126772 for entry into the building.

At this meeting we will discuss our plans about how to take forward our work in the New Year.

Agenda:

- Planning an event
- How we can bring people together
- Prioritise course of action for engaging with growers, businesses and residents across the city
- Think about steps: where are people at now with their knowledge of food issues and what is one step forward.