The Adur & Worthing Food Partnership (AWFP) began in 2020 in response to COVID-19-related food insecurity, uniting 14 food banks. As the crisis eased, many groups transitioned into community cafés, pantries, and advice services—shifting the focus to long-term resilience. This led to the creation of the Emergency Food Network to address structural food insecurity.
Following a 2021 food summit, a Food Poverty Steering Group was formed. It helped shape the West Sussex Poverty Framework and the local Health and Wellbeing Strategy and supported research into Hunger Trauma, highlighting the importance of dignity, choice, and agency in food support.
In 2024, a new community-led Steering Group brought together organisations including Community Works, Transition Town Worthing, Worthing Food Foundation, and the Climate Resilience Centre Worthing. United by the belief that food should support health, sustainability, and community, they launched a local Food Charter shaped by residents, farmers, educators, councillors, etc.
In March 2025, the AWFP became a Community Interest Company (CIC). The Steering Group meets every six weeks, led by a yearly rotating chair, and includes 25 members across sectors such as farming, education, public health, housing, and local food enterprises—ensuring a collaborative, cross-sector approach to a fairer food system.
Through extensive community and stakeholder consultations, six key themes have emerged to form the foundation of our Food Charter, shaping our shared vision for a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable local food system. These focus areas are:
To deliver on these priorities, we’ve established working groups for each theme, using a place-based approach grounded in the needs of our communities.
Our current projects reflect this commitment. We’re running Cook & Eat classes that build practical cooking skills and nutritional knowledge, helping people prepare affordable, healthy meals with confidence. We’re supporting the development of a Farmers Market in Worthing, connecting residents to fresh, seasonal, locally produced food while strengthening the local economy. We coordinate the Emergency Food Network, uniting food banks, pantries, and support organisations to improve access, share resources, and ensure dignified food provision. We’re also planning to launch a Food Use Places Project, promoting sustainable practices and reducing environmental impact. Alongside this, a newly formed Strategy Group is mapping local resources—land, skills, infrastructure, and community assets—to identify gaps and unlock opportunities.
Our past work began with the emergency response to COVID-19 in 2020, when we coordinated 14 local food banks and enabled the monthly delivery of over 2,000 food parcels. As the crisis eased, many providers transitioned into longer-term community services, leading to the formation of the Emergency Food Network. In 2021, a food summit gave rise to the Food Poverty Steering Group, which helped shape local strategies and commissioned research into Hunger Trauma, advocating for dignity and choice in food support.
Sustainable Food Places
c/o Soil Association
Spear House
51 Victoria Street
Bristol
BS1 6AD
info@sustainablefoodplaces.org
Through the power of partnerships we make healthy and sustainable food a defining characteristic of where people live.
2025 © Sustainable Food Places
Data privacy & cookies
Sustainable Food Places is powered by:
