Food for thought at summit

Lincolnshire Food Summit 2024

By Laura Stratford 

Co-ordinator

Greater Lincolnshire Food Partnership

At last November’s Lincolnshire Food Summit, a foodbank volunteer shared deeply personal stories about the people seeking food support, highlighting that their struggles go far beyond hunger. 

This powerful moment resonated with so many in the audience, emphasising that volunteers often feel more like counsellors, hearing stories of hardship, grief, and courage that are rarely heard but need to be voiced for real change.

On November 21 at 2024’s Food Summit, we’ll focus on communicating these untold stories to those with the power to instigate change. 

We’ll also hear from speakers including Simon Hawking from Lincoln’s Acts Trust, Steve Meadwell from the Centre for Social Justice, Andy Cleaver from Trussell, and Matti Colley of the Lincoln Anxiety Resilience Association.

Last year’s key take away was food education. Reviewing participant notes, it was clear that better food education is crucial. Cooking skills are rarely taught in schools or practised at home, but they are vital for healthy eating on a budget. While policy changes are needed, local actions can be powerful.

At this year’s Food Summit, we will be hearing from some exceptional food educators who are showing what is possible: an inspiring partnership between a primary school and an urban market garden; a school that has become internationally famous for embedding good food right across the curriculum, the school kitchen garden and into the dining hall; and the County’s food team, that helps schools to improve food provision against the odds, and is willing to talk about the considerable challenges they face. 

Of course, learning is not just for children! Chefs from GoGro will be speaking from their experience of teaching cooking skills to adults: how to make delicious, nourishing food - and doing so on the tiniest of household budgets.