The November meeting at the Hebridean Inn considered the impacts of a changing climate on food production and availability as well as the considerable negative impact that industrialised agriculture, long distance transport of foodstuffs and waste has on the climate. These factors affect Skye, so how can we respond?
We had a general discussion, about the climate topic, but also about the related issues of health, food poverty and the restrictions that come with dependency on major supermarkets. Information and ideas were shared. It was agreed that these meetings should be more than just talk. Importantly, they should lead to action, to local responses.
One action is to hold Sunday lunch hubs in the Broadford Village Hall. These will provide good quality, low cost food, and have the potential to become a forum for learning and teaching food preparation skills. They are also an opportunity to introduce a variety of food types or cuisines that might not be familiar to some, but would have benefits for health, climate and pocket.
The first lunches will be on Sundays 4th and 11th December (see events calendar), so come along! The format will be reviewed and it is hoped that they will be come a regular event through the winter from January.
The next Food Conversation will be on Thursday 12th January at The Hebridean Inn, Broadford, when the topic will be ‘Waste’. As always, there will be opportunity to talk about any aspects of the food system and to hear about what others are doing.
Contact Fiona at the Highland Community Waste Partnership, or Anne at Skye Climate Action for more information.