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Our Food Charter

Who we are

We are the Barnet Food Partnership. We are a collective bringing together representatives of different formal and informal groups involved in the food system in the London Borough of Barnet. Stakeholders include people from every step of the food journey from the “field to the fork.”

Our Vision

We believe access to good food in Barnet is an essential right. Our vision is to have a food system that promotes health and is sustainable, equitable and resilient. All residents should have access to affordable food that is good for their health and well-being, good for the environment, good for the local economy, and that can bring communities together.

Our Shared Aims

1. Collaborate across all sectors to realise our vision and improve the food system in Barnet
  • Protect and promote the voices of the diverse stakeholders within the food system with a view to influencing policy.
  • Support sectors in forming working groups to highlight their challenges and bring their voices to borough-level discussions.

2.Build community food knowledge, skills and resources

  • Encourage and celebrate food which is sustainable and
    locally grown.
  • Increase access to initiatives to develop food skills like
    cooking, food growing, and budgetary advice.
  • Collaborate with the council, and support community
    groups and networks, to share information on healthy,
    sustainable, and culturally appropriate food.
3. Tackle food insecurity and widen access to affordable healthy food
  • Identify and understand the drivers of food insecurity through the collection of accurate qualitative and quantitative data.
  • Use food insecurity data to influence decision making and policy change on a local and national level.
  • Encourage and support emergency food providers to offer wrap around support services to clients and advocate for this approach across the borough, with a view to reducing need.
  • Understand, promote and support programmes within the borough, like Healthy Start Vouchers, BACE Holiday Activities, Free School Meals, and other support, that tackle food insecurity.
4. Create a robust, vibrant and diverse local food economy
  • Identify and promote local food enterprises, food growers, farmers markets and food cooperatives.
  • Encourage food businesses to provide healthy, sustainable and affordable options in the supply and provision of food.
5. Promote and encourage sustainability and
health in catering and food procurement
  • Influence and campaign for the council and anchor institutions to procure sustainably produced, healthy food.
  • Encourage local government and organisations to prioritise social value across the food chain.
6. Address the environmental impact of our food system
  • Increase awareness about food waste across the supply chain, and promote environmentally responsible food choices amongst Barnet residents.
  • Increase opportunities for Barnet residents to participate in food growing and learn about how food is grown.
  • Promote and support food growing to increase biodiversity, and increase collaboration and communication between food growers in Barnet.