Saturday 18 October 2014, 1.30-5pm, Methodist Central Hall, Manchester
There are many dimensions to the value of food in our lives; we are spotlighting food as an economic issue as this is an area getting less attention than other dimensions. We will consider the implications of wider changes for example; food prices are likely to escalate in coming years and the nature of work and its value is changing. We recognise that no dimension can be separated from others; we need a whole system approach.
We will focus on how we can rapidly stimulate availability of enough food in the region which is safe, affordable, sustainable, healthy and available for local consumption to make the big difference needed.
Who will be at this workshop?
- People with all sorts of relationships to food including growers, eaters and sellers, activists, ‘professional foodies’, academics and others.
- People who are interested in a viable economy and /or sustainable food.
- People who are curious to know more about where what they are doing fits into the jigsaw of ensuring food in this region is affordable, locally produced and sustainable.
What we will achieve? A sense of what we all need to do to:
- multiply the impact of current brilliant food related work to ensure enough affordable, locally produced sustainable food is available.
- stimulate movers and shakers especially in low income areas
By the end of the workshop we will have recommendations and know who else we need to involve and how. We will all be able to take our learning forward including at the Greater Manchester Sustainable Food Cities seminar in November
The workshop will be draw on all participants’ strengths. It will include 3 minute presentations and group work to familiarise participants with what we are all doing. Together we will develop priorities and agree how to make them happen.
What difference will a viable food economy make?
It will work towards:
- Reducing carbon footprint by maximising local food production for local consumption and minimising waste
- Providing jobs
In the first instance we may need to identify ‘quick wins’ to get politicians, businesses and housing trusts on board. What should they be?
Do we need a shared vision of what a viable food economy for Greater Manchester looks like?
A vision may include:
- What food would we be eating – meat, dairy, cereals….?
- The role of hi-tech methods
- What kind of economic production? To what extent will food be produced by households, communities, small, medium and large scale enterprises? What does this mean in terms of what work may look like?
- Cost and access issues – how will food be distributed?
Book a free place here
For more information contact: ipogworkshop@gmail.com
Steady State Manchester 