Good Food Charter

Derry City &
Strabane
Good Food
Charter
In partnership with:
Food is complex. Our relationships with food are complex. There are few things in life
that bring us together quite like food.
The Acorn Food Network aims to grow a sustainable local food system that is good for
PEOPLE, good for the ECONOMY and good for the PLANET; built around FRESH,
LOCAL, SEASONAL & AFFORDABLE food.
This charter has been developed through a consultation process with organisations,
groups, businesses and individuals. It sets out what we want to achieve across the city
and district, so that everyone benefits from local good food.
Growing Stronger, Closer Communities
Food is more than food. Food is health and food is social connection.
Using food initiatives and food events to bring people together to support and improve
their local communities. Celebrating healthy, affordable local food to promote health and
well-being.
Supporting a Thriving Local Food Economy
Eating and buying local makes a difference.
Encouraging a greater diversity of local food businesses and creating jobs. Sourcing
healthy and sustainable food from local producers and suppliers. Fresh, local and
seasonal food can help make food more affordable and reduce environmental impact.
Nourishing Lifelong Learning
Just like food nourishes our bodies, learning about and connecting with the land can
nourish our minds.
Giving people of all ages the opportunity to learn about good food- how to grow it, cook
it and to enjoy sharing it.
Providing Space to Grow
People and communities can reach their full potential by having space to grow.
Maximising the use of greenspace and brownfield sites to support local food production
and community wellbeing.
Helping the Planet Flourish
Fresh, local and seasonal food should not cost (£) the planet.
By supporting affordable, local food production, we are protecting nature, reducing food
miles and minimising waste.

Pledge to support our Food Charter
You can support these objectives as an individual or on behalf of an organisation by
signing up to the Good Food Charter and pledging to take the following actions.
Individuals can pledge to:
BUY more local food from independent food enterprises and traders.
PREPARE meals from scratch using local, fresh and seasonal ingredients.
AIM to waste as little food as possible and think about freezing / sharing / composting
any food I can’t use.
TRY growing my own herbs, fruit or veg at home.
Organisations, groups & businesses can pledge to:
USE our purchasing power and procurement policies to support local food producers.
SERVE healthy, local, fresh and seasonal food to staff or customers.
PROVIDE opportunities for staff, students, patients or customers to learn how to cook
and grow food.
ORGANISE volunteering programmes with community food initiatives and enterprises.
ENCOURAGE our customers and employees to:
- Reduce food waste
- Support local shops and retailers in the town – this keeps money in the local
economy
- Grow their own food at home or on an local growing space
- Eat healthily by cutting down on the amount of food with added sugar and salt
- Eat more seasonal fruit and vegetables
………………………...……………………………………………………………...……
are now signed up the Acorn Food Network Food Charter
Date ……………………………………..
For more information contact:
Allan Bogle- Sustainable Food
Coordinator
allan.bogle@derrystrabane.com