West Northamptonshire Achieves Bronze Sustainable Food Places Award
The region is recognised for its commitment to a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable local food system.
By Aisha Mahmood
••3 min read
West Northamptonshire Council
West Northamptonshire has been awarded the prestigious Bronze Sustainable Food Places Award, recognising its commitment to fostering a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable local food system.
The accolade was secured through the collaborative efforts of the West Northants Sustainable Food Network, a partnership involving organisations from the public, voluntary, health, education, and business sectors. This network works to enhance access to healthy, affordable, and sustainable food across the area.
The Sustainable Food Places programme celebrates communities that adopt a unified approach to food, acknowledging initiatives aimed at combating food insecurity, improving health and wellbeing, supporting local food businesses, and addressing environmental concerns. The Bronze Award specifically highlights the significant progress made in West Northamptonshire, including community engagement through food conversations, support for local food growing, strengthened partnerships, and the promotion of healthier, sustainable food choices.
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"We're delighted that West Northamptonshire has been recognised with a Bronze Sustainable Food Places Award. This achievement reflects the dedication and enthusiasm of organisations, community groups and residents who have worked together to improve the way food supports the health, wellbeing and resilience of our communities."
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"Food plays an important role in all our lives, from supporting good health and tackling inequalities to strengthening local communities and businesses. By working together through the West Northants Sustainable Food Network, we are helping to ensure everyone has access to healthy, affordable and sustainable food while supporting local producers and reducing food waste."
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"This award is an important milestone and provides a strong foundation for us to build on as we continue working with partners to create a healthier and more sustainable future for West Northamptonshire."
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"HOPE is proud to be commissioned by Public Health to run the West Northamptonshire Sustainable Food Network project. Working alongside Network members and partners, we are delighted with what has been achieved and particularly proud to have helped the Network secure this award. The achievement reflects the strength of partnership working and our shared commitment to creating a healthier, more sustainable, and resilient food system across West Northamptonshire."
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"This Sustainable Food Places Bronze Award belongs to everyone who has helped build a better local food system across West Northamptonshire. From farms, to schools, businesses to community groups and volunteers. Together we’ve strengthened local connections and encouraged positive change. It’s a fantastic recognition of what we can do when we work together."
The award acknowledges a wide range of activities, including bringing partners together, engaging residents through local food conversations, supporting community food projects, delivering food growing and cooking programmes, strengthening links between local producers and institutions, and promoting action to tackle food poverty and reduce waste.
This recognition comes as communities nationwide face challenges related to the cost of living, food insecurity, and the impact of climate change on food systems. The achievement marks a significant step towards West Northamptonshire's ambition for a food system that benefits people, communities, and the environment.
Residents are encouraged to join the West Northants Sustainable Food Network and make a pledge to contribute to a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable food future. More information can be found at goodfoodwnorthants.org.
