The aim of Southampton's Food Partnership is to improve access for everyone in the city to healthier, affordable, sustainable food – making food fair for everyone.
We are a dynamic and evolving group, with representatives from communities, voluntary sector, private businesses, public health and the public sector, coming together for a common purpose. Our partnership is a community of interest, being developed and coordinated by in-kind contributions from its members, it currently has no legal status or funding streams.
Southampton Food Partnership members are connected by core values and beliefs. They guide both our strategic planning as well as our day-to-day work. The local food system we will create will:
Be accessible, inclusive and for local people to own decisions about what happens in their environment, addressing stigma through open communication
Foster civic pride in being a sustainable food city
Exemplify collaboration and coordination through an awareness of partners activities, fostering of entrepreneurial opportunities and to collectively benefit from economies of scale and less duplication
Have a balance that favours healthy and sustainable food choices
Demonstrate commitment to our Healthy Weight Declaration pledges, raising food standards everywhere, especially in schools and early childcare settings
Southampton Food Partnership has over 70 members on it's distrbution list with between 20-30 regularly attending meetings. Members of the partnership were involved in the Southampton Food Map project (2023-24) and the development of a policy brief. We also align with district networks such as the Food Aid Forum and the Cooking and Nutrition Network.
Victoria Ugwoeme, the founder of Feed The Community Program CIC, is the Chairperson of the Southampton Food Partnership. The Feed The Community Program is a not for profit organisation addressing social justice in the areas of food poverty, unemployment, mental health ,social isolation and inequality. Victoria is passionate about food ,food culture, nutrition and education, and has done loads of amazing work in these areas. She has also been a City Councillor and is currently a schools governor, a trustee of Southampton Voluntary Services and an active member TUVAA.
In November 2024, Duncan House, CEO of Southampton City Mission, represented the Southampton Food Partnership at the Sustainable Food Places Day of Celebration and Action in Westminster. At the event, Duncan met with local MP Caroline Noakes and discussed improving the local food system.