The Highland Good Food Conference is now over. What an incredible five weeks of discussions, learning, collaborating and passion working to create a food system that is better for the planet, people and producers.
Days 1-3 took us through enriching discussions based on vision setting, keeping people at the heart of the food system and how to produce local food more sustainably. You can read about the first half of the conference in our last blog here.
Day 4 was all about finance. We had six fascinating provocations that took us through innovative ways to source and use money in support of a better food system.
Would you invest 25% of your pension pot into better food production and receive your pension not in pounds but in a healthier, more secure future? This was one provoking question asked on Day 4.
There was a very strong focus on solutions lying within the community; from a community owned wind co-op generating money to communities coming together to use their spending power to support local businesses.
Day 5 was kicked-off with an inspiring provocation from our very own steering group member, Dennis Overton:
“Making positive change is one of the most rewarding things you can do in life. But change will come not only by talking, action must follow, and there are 11 action groups here in this conference ready to do that.”
Some great comments from delegates about their experience of the conference!
Now to these all-important action groups
As we mentioned in our last blog, delegates have been working in themed action groups since Day 2 of the conference, developing ways that their group can contribute to achieving this fairer food system.
These groups cover a diversity of topics; from seed saving to lobbying policy, restaurants to community food growing, producer-owned cooperatives to food waste, Highland food marketing to growing food in our schools. And even creating a new glasshouse sector to grow Mediterranean veg for everyone, here in the Highlands. There certainly was no lack of ambition when delegates formed these groups.
On Day 5 each of the 11 groups presented action plans with aims and visions of what they believe they can achieve beyond the conference. We heard some fantastic, big ideas. For example, one group aims to produce vegetables grown in glasshouses in the outskirts of Inverness to produce year-round growing while another wants to resolve food waste issues by installing Big Hanna composters in 100 villages and districts across the Highlands by 2025. By working within the same conference, distinct projects found how they could link up and build a more resilient food system together.
Recordings of each group’s presentation will be made available so if you want to find out more about their action plans then keep an eye on our website! You can also have a look on our social media, particularly our Twitter to read highlights of each group’s aims and visions from Day 5.
The end of the conference marks the end of Phase 2 of the Highland Good Food Partnership. We will shortly be commencing Phase 3, where we will be taking action to make the food system in the Highlands fairer for all.