by Ele Forster
(HGFP Good Food Nation Lead)
Huge thanks to everyone who took the time to complete our Gathering the Highland Voice survey. We’re delighted with the results, which give us a clear picture of what people would like to see included in the Highland Good Food Nation (GFN) plan.
182 people living in the Highland Council area responded, with responses from across the Highlands. Top ranking of the six national Good Food Nation Outcomes was clear:
“everyone being able to eat well” first (it was the top choice of just over half), with “a food system that is good for nature, climate and animals” a clear second.
Health, food culture, a successful food industry and global responsibility followed in that order.
Among the 155 people who went on to choose five areas of change for the Highland GFN plans, two stood out: “supporting local farmers, food hubs and short supply chains” and “changing public sector catering contracts so that schools, hospitals and council kitchens serve healthier, local, sustainable food” .
Respondents painted a picture of their locality as a place with real strengths and real frustrations. They praised their local producers, businesses and community organisations and the energy of the people who run them. They also described how hard it is to reach all of this: local food is often seen as a luxury, supermarkets dominate, distances are long, vital infrastructure is missing, land for growing is hard to get, and school and hospital food is a source of widespread disappointment.
It was powerful to see that the hopes held for a Highland food system in 5 years time were remarkably consistent: people want more food grown and sold close to home, at prices that are fair to both producers and households, a vision we at the Highland Good Food Partnership share!
Asked what the HGFP should do within the GFN work, you told us you want to see us: “act as a convener between communities, producers, the Council and NHS Highland” and “help ensure tangible results” from the GFN plans, rather than a paper exercise. We’ve already discussed these results with the Highland Council and NHS Highland, and will be continuing to bring your voice into our ongoing conversations with them, as the Highland GFN plans are drafted up ready for consultation next year.