Brighton loves good food. We are a city rich in fantastic restaurants, delicious local produce, bustling markets and cosy cafés. Yet, the reality for many is different. More than 6,000 people in our city rely on food banks each week, with a quarter of them being children.
“Anybody who knows me knows I don’t ask for help. But I’m so happy I did. You can’t live like I was, on bread, for a very long time. When you’re really hungry, nothing really makes sense.”
Food bank user
Skyrocketing rents and cost of living has left many with limited access to outdoor spaces to grow food, exercise, eat well and enjoy nature. That’s where the Brighton & Hove Food Partnership comes in.
Since 2003, its committed team of staff and volunteers have delivered a range of projects, helping over 15,000 local people learn to cook, grow their own food, eat more healthily and waste less.
Eating is central to life’s celebrations and memories, and the Brighton & Hove Food Partnership’s approach is to use this power of food to bring about change. Well-nourished children learn better, community food projects reduce isolation, and independent food producers, restaurants and retailers are good for the local economy.
Current projects include community cookery courses, outdoor wellbeing sessions across the South Downs, community gardens and support for the city’s food banks.
“I am deeply privileged and touched to have had this incredible opportunity. Please keep doing these extraordinary projects helping people connect with their local community as well as with nature”
Outdoor Wellbeing Session participant
Ultimately, it is the endless support from Brighton & Hove’s residents that helps the work to continue across the city. Whether it’s a donation, joining a cookery class at the Community Kitchen or the endless time volunteers give to projects across the city. Support helps to create a fairer food system for everyone to alleviate food poverty, protect the environment and bring people together around food.
