Food is very rarely out of the news these days. What we grow, rear, produce, buy and consume is influenced by what is known as the ‘food system’ (see figure 1 below). These interconnections influence and are influenced by a combination of global and national factors, including climate change, international trade, government policy, supply chain pressures and rising food inflation. These are felt across local food systems and therefore local communities and because of the universal need for food affect every part of our lives.
Developing a local food strategy
In Cheshire East we are embarking on the development of a new local ‘food strategy’ which will replace the one introduced back in 2023/24.
This work is being led by myself and will involve collecting the views of stakeholders including -Council officers and members, NHS staff, community food providers, funders, public food settings (including schools), food businesses and residents - be gathered through interviews, surveys and workshops.
The aim is to bring people and organisations together around a shared plan which represent our local food priorities. This plan will improve visibility and knowledge, reduce duplication, improve coordination and collaboration, improve resource allocation and ensure we stay on track.
Key dates and stages are outlined below:
When | Stage |
October / November 2026 | Collect data and views using survey and interviews |
December 2026 | Use workshops to evaluate options |
January 2027 | Gather feedback at Food Alliance and other forums |
February 2027 | Publish strategy |
How to get involved
There are a number of ways of getting involved including a simple survey and a series of workshops.
