A new report is investigating community-led business solutions to manage the collection and distribution of food in Plymouth
The Covid-19 pandemic has tipped households that were ‘just managing’ to make ends meet into food insecurity, research has shown.
The report will be launched at an event on 18 November as part of the Social Enterprise Festival 2021. Aimed primarily at food aid organisations, the event will invite discussion around the pros and cons of alternative community led options for reducing dependency on food aid in Plymouth.
The report, ‘Co-operative options for Food Aid providers in Plymouth’ was funded by DEFRA and is aimed at identifying a co-operative business model solution for Plymouth to manage food-aid activities in a more sustainable and inclusive way.
Co-operative businesses are owned and controlled by a group of people, which can include employees, customers or local residents, giving them a say in how the organisation is run.
Plymouth City Council commissioned the report, produced by Co-operative Futures, the first phase of which was written with input from various stakeholders, including Food Plymouth and University of Plymouth.
Three different co-operative business models will be presented for discussion at the event and include the following organisations:
- Food retail co-operatives – Farley's Food Coop and Cooperation Town
- Bulk buying and Co-operative Distribution Centres – The Arc and Gloucester Holiday activities and Food programme (HAF)
- ‘Added Value’ Food Co-operatives – Co-operative futures
The outcome of this report provides inspiration for a more collaborative and financially viable approach to collecting and distributing food in Plymouth, which seeks to address both food insecurity and food waste.
Councillor Vivien Pengelly, Cabinet Member for Homes and Communities, said: “We are really pleased that the first phase of this report by Co-operative Futures has been finalised. Addressing how we tackle food poverty in Plymouth is an incredibly important activity.
“I look forward to attending the launch event around community led business solutions as part of the Social Enterprise Festival where we can address how best to tackle food insecurity and food waste in the city.”
As a Social Enterprise City since 2013, Plymouth City Council supports social enterprise activities that will help place a fairer and greener future at the heart of Plymouth’s Covid recovery plans. All participants are welcome to join in with this year’s Social Enterprise Festival which can be accessed on the Plymouth Social Enterprise Network website.
Read the full report on investplymouth.co.uk.