Introducing the Cheltenham Food Board

Introducing the first instalment of our GOOD FOOD NEWS series.

Yes, we have been talking about the Cheltenham Food Board intermittently for some time now. This quick read will introduce you to the members of the board, its missions and aims and look at how its using the Food Ladders to address food inequality across Cheltenham.

As you're aware, GFC has been advocating for an improved food system in Cheltenham for quite some time, collaborating with various partners and members to implement changes. Over the past six months, we've been developing the Cheltenham Food Board with its chair, Lindsey Holland, and partner, Deb Baker.

What is the Cheltenham Food Board?

The Cheltenham Food Board is committed to addressing food inequality across Cheltenham. Based on the Food Ladders mapping we did last year, the aims of the Cheltenham Food Board are:-

• Collaboration: working together across the rungs of the Food Ladders with local partner, organisations and the community to create a united approach to food justice.

  
  

• Education: raising awareness about food insecurity, nutrition and sustainable practises to empower individuals and communities

  
  

• Redistribution: ensuring surplus food is redirected to those who need it the most, reducing waste and supporting those facing food hardship.

Please find the food ladders mapping for Cheltenham:-

Who is part of the Cheltenham Food Board?

The members of the CFB have been chosen to represent the various rungs of the Food Ladders and comprise of the following organisations or individuals.

Chair - Lindsey Holland

Rung: Emergency Intervention

• Hannah Meek - Gloucestershire NHS

• Jane Sharp - Cheltenham Open Door

• Richard Gibson - Cheltenham Borough Council

• Sarah Baker - Cheltenham Food Bank

• Victoria Atherstone - Cabinet Member, Cheltenham Borough Council

Rung: Supportive Action

• Andy Macauly - The Rock

• Linda Grice - YMCA/Family Space - also representing the Food Pantry Network

• Jenn Sills - Gloucestershire Learning Alliance

• Schools representation including Shurdington Primary School, Cheltenham Bournside School, All Saints Academy.

  
  

Rung: Community Led Action

• Andy Somerton - Beardyman Farms

• Claire Dovey - Good Food Cheltenham

• Deb Baker - Community Roots CIC

• Isobel Filipova - Cheltenham Zero Partnership (CBC)

• Raechel Kelly - The Liminality

Rung: Economic Support

• Fran Inman - Cheltenham BID

• Jamie Craven and Meg Webley - Caterlink Ltd

• Matthew Davies - Jockey Club Catering

What has the Cheltenham Food Board achieved so far?

Over the course of the first four CFB meetings the group have come together to establish the current food landscape for Cheltenham in the form of the Food Ladders, have defined its missions, aims and work plan for the next 12 months.

We will shortly be releasing a series of Good Food News case studies highlighting the great partnerships and projects currently happening across the rungs of the Food Ladders as well as looking at the work plan for each of the three aims - collaboration, educations and redistribution.

For more information please sign up to our newsletter or email us at hello@goodfoodcheltenham.org