Our bid for the second stage of EU URBACT ‘Sustainable Food in Urban Communities’ (2013–2015) was successful so we can now continue our inspiring partnership with 9 other European countries for the next 2 years. The first stage started in May 2012 when Bristol joined Amersfoort (Holland), Athens (Greece), Messina (Italy) and lead partner Brussels (Belgium). Gothenburg (Sweden), Lyon (France), Ourense (Spain), Oslo (Norway) and Vaslui (Romania) completed the network, with representation from 8 countries meeting in Bristol in October 2012.
Sustainable Food in Urban Communities
The project is designed to support the Food Policy Council in its work to develop a sustainable food action plan for the city. In addition to financial support, a full programme has been developed to promote training and information sharing with exchange visits, case studies, mini websites and blogs.
Bristol: Sustainable Food in Urban Communities Blog
New City Council Cabinet member
Cllr Gus Hoyt is the City Council’s new representative in the Food Policy Council following last autumn’s elections to select Bristol’s first Mayor. Cllr Hoyt has overall responsibility for food, another first and a welcome development that will provide an integrated approach within the City Council.
At the Friends of the Earth AGM on 25th February, Cllr Hoyt gave us a preview of his Green Bristol Food Vision. Thanks to Real Food Lover blogger extraordinaire Elisabeth winkler for the transcript.
The Bristol Food Policy Council Food Strategy starts to come together
At the last Food Policy Council meeting on 16th January, Joy Carey, author of Who Feeds Bristol, facilitated a sustainable food systems planning approach discussion based on the findings of her report as a step on the way through an inclusive process involving all food interests in the city to agree a Sustainable Food Plan.
Bristol Food Plan: Towards a resilient food system
Next meeting
The next meeting is 10th April and has a focus on food poverty in Bristol. A report has been commissioned by Public Health to enable an informed discussion to identify specific actions.
The autumn meeting of the Bristol Food Policy Council was held on 2 October 2013 at the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens HQ, the GreenHouse, Bedminster.
The main focus of the meeting was the City Food Plan Framework.… 
From the Bristol City Council website:
Bristol has scooped the top award from the Sustainable Food City Network, recognising the pioneering work in the city to promote healthy and sustainable food.
The Sustainable Food Cities Award is designed to highlight…