Nutrition Initiatives

Here are just a few examples of initiatives in Wales which are working to improve nutrition in Wales, by supporting their communities to eat more healthily.

Being able to access adequate food at affordable prices is important for people to access a healthy, balanced diet. Using food mapping or participatory techniques can be a useful way to identify the factors affecting food choice in a community and the initiatives which could be of use. For more information about food mapping and how to plan and set up a community food project visit the guidance section.

Food and Health Issues in Ty Sign

Through a form of needs assessment called Community Assessment and Action (CAA), participatory research techniques were used to identify the full scope of the food and health issues in Ty Sign, Caerphilly. The aims of the project were in the short term to identify factors affecting food choice in the community of Ty-Sign, to produce and implement an action plan to tackle the issues identified by the local community and to improve the health of residents of Ty-Sign community. The report outlines how the whole process has been beneficial as any new initiatives that are established based on this report should have the support of the community and hence be more successful. To download the report click on Food and Health Issues in Ty-Sign, H.E.A.R.T of Ty-Sign. For more information contact Caerphilly Public Health Team on telephone number 01495 241200.

Can I Eat Healthily From My Local Shop? Ceredigions Food Mapping Report

Derbyshire Food and Health Needs Assessment

Accessing Healthy Food in Scotland Report

Accessing healthy food: A national assessment and sentinel mapping study of food retailing in Scotland has been published by the Food Standards Agency.

The study took place between 2005 and 2007 by the Centre for the Study of Retailing in Scotland at The University of Edinburgh. It constructed a map of food shops and supermarkets in nine sample areas in Scotland using Geographic Information System techniques and used a Healthy Eating Indicator Shopping Basket to investigate the availability and cost of healthy foods.

The results show that in general, the provision of food shops selling a range of healthy food was not found to be a major issue and that a wide range of prices was identified for the shopping basket. The size of the food shop was more important than geographical location in influencing the availability and price of the healthy foods. The study underlines the importance of finding ways to assist small general food shops to provide affordable, healthy foods and will help inform policy development in Scotland.

To read the report visit www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/accessfoodscotexec.pdf.  

Constraints and Opportunities to Supply Local Fresh Vegetables to the Public Sector in Powys

A report produced by ADAS, the environmental consultancy for Glasu, the LEADER+ Programme in Powys, describes and documents the barriers to producing, processing and supplying locally grown vegetables for public procurement in Powys.

LEADER+ pilots innovative approaches to rural development to help develop more sustainable communities in rural Wales. The report summarises the results of a study investigating the amount of vegetables making their way into schools, opportunities and barriers perceived by growers to supplying the local authority in Powys. A presentation and spreadsheets are also available.

To download the report visit the Glasu website.  

If you want to know about communities initiatives taking place in other parts of the UK visit
Sustain

Food Vision

Community Food and Health (Scotland)

Healthy Food for All .