Highland Good Food Conversation moves into action phase
Over eighty people from across the Highlands participated in the second phase of the Highland Good Food Conversation, including Trish Rogers and Anne MacLennan from Skye Climate Action.
The conference was a stimulating and positive experience, held as five afternoon sessions over as many weeks, with plenty of interaction. The rich information exchange during the conference was complemented by online resources of articles and videos accessible in preparation for each session.
We heard from many passionate people across the Highlands, already involved in the food system and wanting to further develop and strengthen it so that everyone in the region has access to good local food.
A great feature of the conference was the ‘provocateurs’, usually five people each talking for just five minutes to share their activities and/or pose challenges. We were provoked by farmers, crofters, chefs, community and national organisations. We heard about growing, land management, funding issues, the Mull abattoir and butchery, frustrations and achievements within the hospitality industry – and much more.
Delegates worked on 10 potential projects over the five weeks in break-out rooms. Topics included establishing retail outlets, world-class restaurants, food growing in schools and setting up glasshouses using surplus renewable energy. Some of the projects worked on by sub-groups will go forward to the third, or action, phase of the Conversation when the worked-up ideas are implemented. The aim is to increase production and consumption of healthy local-grown food throughout the Highlands, assisted by innovative marketing schemes, more growing activity by community groups and schools, and increased community composting linked to a reduction in food waste.
Skye Climate Action looks forward to facilitating some of these actions in and for Skye. Watch this space.
Visit the HGFC website for a wealth of information and links on food and food growing.
Under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, every local authority in Scotland is required to develop a food growing strategy to encourage more local food growing amongst communities. Contribute your views to the Highland Council’s draft food growing strategy via this form. The consultation date has been extended to take account of outcomes of the Highland Good Food Conversation. It will now end on 28th February.