GCFN's story
Glasgow Community Food Network (GCFN) was established in 2017 with the aim of bringing together practitioners and organisations in the private, public and third sectors, along with other interested individuals, to develop a flourishing food system in Glasgow. By taking a more holistic approach, the outcomes benefit more people locally – irrespective of where they live, their income or personal circumstances; those who work in the food industry; as well as the environment.
GCFN tries to work with everyone with an interest in food: chefs and restaurants, farmers and market gardeners, foodbank and soup kitchen volunteers and anyone else who cares about better food for Glasgow. The organisation holds seasonal networking events where members share a meal and learn more about each other's work, discussing in a structured way how to develop and improve local food systems. They also conduct and support research and development of improvements to the city's food system as well as lead campaigns to give more people improved, equal access to affordable, healthy food.
A great example of collaboration is The Glasgow City Food Plan, developed by a team comprising GCFN, Glasgow Food Policy Partnership, Glasgow Centre for Population Health, Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership, and NHS Greater Glasgow. Over a two-year period, the food plan team worked together with over 80 stakeholders to develop actions for the plan which went out to a public consultation. The result has been a holistic 'good food' plan, endorsed by multiple stakeholders across the city and wider region, that is good for society, for health, for the environment and for the local economy.
Useful learnings from GCFN
Building a fair, healthy, sustainable food system which supports the local economy benefits everyone in Glasgow. Working across the different sectors is vital in making progress towards this goal.
Making good food available to everyone requires a joined-up food system, involving everything from food procurement and catering to eliminating food waste to addressing food poverty to growing community food. Taking such a holistic approach is putting Glasgow on the path towards becoming a sustainable food city.
There are lots of different ways to help communities in urban areas grow their own food, from projects to teach people how they can use their back garden spaces to making more land available for allotments; from providing a map of local growing sites to free public transport to get there.
GCFN's metrics
Growing membership of Glasgow Community Food Network
Reducing food poverty and food waste
Boosting local jobs in the food industry
Growing more food locally
Implementing the 10-year Glasgow City Food Plan
