How pioneering place-based interventions are creating more resilient food systems

How place-based interventions can create more resilient food systems, by Food Foundation Local Food Policy Lead Leticija Petrovic 

Interest in the local food initiatives across the UK has been growing in recent years as community organisations increasingly step into the role of place-based innovators.

With the cost of living and rising food prices, the food insecurity now affects one in five households in the UK and the existing safety nets are not providing sufficient support to those affected.

This means community groups are looking to provide more integrated support that goes beyond just emergency food provision.

By taking a holistic approach to tackling food insecurity and integrating other support services into their offering the community-led food initiatives can be scaled up and out.

While the benefits of food hubs are increasingly recognised, there is still limited empirical evidence to build a compelling case for policy support.

This gap in research has sparked interest in studying food hubs to better understand their impact and potential for addressing food system challenges.

By examining the perspectives of food hubs and their impact on food systems and communities, researchers aim to bring to light effective strategies for supporting and scaling up these initiatives to create healthier, more sustainable and resilient food system.

The recent research carried out by the University of Leeds, looked at the impact of food hubs on food security and sustainability in Leeds.

Following this an additional portfolio of 10 food initiatives across the UK was identified in places where people are most likely to need support in accessing affordable food.

Using the Consumer Data Research Centre’s (CDRC) Priority Places for Food Index (PPFI), the University of Leeds has now produced a case study report on how these community-led food initiatives can increase their positive impact on communities’ wellbeing, local economy and resilience.

Why place-based food initiatives matter?

Most food initiatives act as a hub and offer a range of services beyond their primary provision, for example a community centre also operating a food pantry a few days a week, or giving advice and support on debt relief, housing, addiction, domestic violence etc. The diversity in their offering is a strength and supports their long-term viability.

Additional services provided by the food hubs, visited as part of the University of Leeds research, included fruit and vegetable boxes, food growing and community gardens, cooking classes, recipe bags, education and advice on heathy eating, food safety, and signposting to other services about mental health, debt, employment and housing.

Most food hubs contributed predominantly towards improving personal and community wellbeing and reducing food waste but some also improved the supply and the demand for healthy and locally produced food.

All participating food hubs benefited their communities and the food system in multiple ways simultaneously, as reflected by the many functions they perform and roles they play.

Scaling out and Scaling Deep

Those food hubs, like food banks, which still provide emergency food support as their primary function aspire to move towards more long-term, sustainable and comprehensive food provision models - such as food pantries, cafes, and social supermarkets models, contributing to wider community health and wellbeing. The success of scaling deep hinges on tackling the root causes of food insecurity.

For example, one of the case studies, Inn Churches in Bradford combines access to affordable food with a Credit Union saving scheme, through its FoodSavers network, helping to reduce dependency on food aid and promoting financial resilience. This approach not only addresses immediate needs but also empowers individuals and strengthens community ties.

Food Hubs, such as Fyne Futures on the Isle of Bute and Pulp Friction in Nottingham, also integrate sustainability practices into their operations, from food growing and composting to reducing food waste and access to fresh produce outside of the big supermarkets' provision.

These initiatives demonstrate that community-led food systems can also contribute to environmental and sustainability goals. 

What role do local governments play in supporting place-based initiatives?

Local governments can play a big role in ensuring that food initiatives are not operating in isolation but as part of a coordinated effort to tackle food insecurity and improve community health and wellbeing through the provision of right infrastructure and core funding for organisations that take the whole system approach.

The local food system strategies and plans should support and replicate models that promote dignity, choice, and financial independence, ensuring that communities are actively involved in decision-making processes.

Local authorities can also support the transition towards more sustainable, circular food systems by providing incentives and frameworks that enable community initiatives to focus on scaling these efforts up, for example through funding schemes, planning concessions and public procurement. They are best positioned to scale out place-based solutions tailored to communities’ needs that increase resilience.

What could national policy makers do to support scaling out and scaling deep?

• Sustainable Funding Mechanisms: One of the challenges identified across the case studies was the reliance on precarious grant funding which can be both time-consuming and uncertain. National government's extension of the Household Support Fund until the end of March 2025 is a welcome development but the government should look at more long term funding, moving away from the short-term funding pots and towards more long term settlements. This is needed for the local governments to effectively be able to support place based organisations with infrastructure set up and programme running costs which go beyond emergency food provision. 
• Coordination and Integration: Scaling out and scaling deep requires better coordination among local actors and the integration of food initiatives into broader health and social care systems. By linking food distribution with health promotion and social care services, organisations can create a more sustainable and holistic support system. Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is well positioned to lead this effort but collaboration with other departments is needed.

What role could place based community organisations play?

Food hubs themselves can build the evidence base on the significant positive impacts they have on communities and the food system.

They are embedded within their communities, and their strong collaborations within their networks of local food actors are based on trust and common values.

These relationships are important for gathering evidence of their activities and evaluating the impact they have across several key national and regional priorities and related policies on food security, public health, net zero, and inclusive growth. Compelling evidence of this impact could leverage policy support and unlock further funding.