NEWS
Latest news from Food DurhamThe Community Food and Growing Network
Durham Community Action facilitates the Community Food and Growing Network. This network brings together like-minded organisations with projects or an interest related to growing and food. It enables community groups and organisations from all sectors with similar...
read moreDurham’s Rib N Reef sources food locally and regionally
Below Durham Castle, next to mediaeval Framwellgate Bridge, Rib N Reef restaurant put a fresh spin on quality meat and seafood in mid-2021. The distinctive building, former venue of Pizza Hut, Cafe Rouge and fashion store Psyche, was redesigned on a £350,000 budget by...
read moreJunk Food and Sport – an unhealthy alliance
The junk food industry is hijacking sport and children's health, according to Children's Food Campaign and Food Active. The recently published report Kicking Out Junk Food documents how 2021’s ‘Summer of Sport’ was used by the food and drink industry to deluge...
read moreHealthy Start Voucher Uptake
The Healthy Start Vouchers working group (involving representatives from the Midwifery teams, DCC Welfare Rights, CAB, NHS and Public Health) reported a significant increase in uptake this winter, making County Durham one of the top 5% Local Authority areas...
read moreA local Christmas dinner
Traditional Christmas dinners are full of seasonal ingredients be they sprouts, roast potatoes or parsnips. Whether you’re aiming for a vegetarian or a traditional meaty festive meal, it is worth trying get ingredients from local and regional producers and there’s...
read moreSupport for Dynamic Procurement Systems
Dynamic Purchasing UK Food a social enterprise, have been working with the South West Food Hun to develop a digital platform with the potential to enable Local Authorities and other anchor institutions across the UK to form a food buying organisation that can deliver...
read moreSFP Food for the Planet campaign
Following on for the Low Carbon Lunch initiative in September and COP26 in Glasgow in November, Sustainable Food Places (SFP) has launched a new campaign called Food for the Planet, which encourages individuals, food businesses and Local Authorities to tackle the...
read moreDurham COP
Whilst the 26th Conference of Partners got going in Glasgow, Durham held its own event to bring together more than 70 attendees including representatives from Durham County Council, Durham University, businesses, and the NHS, at Beamish Hall to sign a new climate...
read moreFood Resilience Project – Good to Grow
The Good to Grow Food Resilience Project was a Food Durham partnership project funded by SFP that aimed to engage people who are accessing emergency food provision in growing and cooking activities, and encourage them to start to grow some of their own food at home....
read moreHorden Minewater Project
As we reported in our last newsletter in July, a partnership made up of DCC's Low Carbon Team, community representatives of the local community in Horden, the East Durham Trust and East Durham Business Services have been exploring ways in which the warm minewater that...
read moreMy preferred place – by Bruce A. Scholten
Claypath Delicatessen, just a 5 minute walk from Durham Marketplace, is sourcing sustainable ingredients, feeding customers and thriving amid Covid. I talked to proprietors Rory and Angela Handy, who have created an oasis of handmade baked goods including sourdough...
read moreFood Durham is Moving!
Since 1st October, the Food Partnership coordinator role has been based at OASES North East, as part of Food Durham’s transition to a new host organisation. OASES will support the development of Food Durham as it works through the Sustainable Food Places ‘Bronze to...
read moreCommunity Good Food Network
Durham Community Action's Community Good Food Network Session in November 2021 focused on food poverty in the context of the withdrawal of the uplift in Universal credit, the rapidly increasing energy prices and the increases in the general cost of living. ...
read moreCommunity Good Food Network- What next for food poverty?
In the context of the end of the government’s furlough support, removal of the Universal Credit uplift and spiralling costs of living we know there will be enormous pressure on household budgets this winter and food is often one of the first things that gets squeezed....
read moreGetting rid of food waste, one pumpkin at a time
Food waste is in the news: one of the Earthshot prizes was awarded to the City of Milan for their food waste hubs and similar initiatives, although not necessarily on that scale are happening all over County Durham too. However, we all have a role to play and...
read moreDay of Celebration and Action on Food and Climate
Community organisations and individuals are invited to put plans in place to take part in Sustainable Food Places' Day of Celebration and Action on Food and Climate on Wednesday 29 September 2021. The day all about highlighting the role that ordinary people can play...
read moreCommunity Good Food Network 14th July 2021
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this event. The theme was linking community growing with community food provision and we heard from some fantastic projects who shared some of the approaches and challenges they've experienced. You can watch the video here...
read moreCommunity Good Food Network explores approaches to climate-friendly diets
We know that food has a big impact on the climate and we all need to adopt more climate-friendly diets. The Community Good Food Network event held on 12th May focused on two approaches that aim to give people lots of opportunity to try new foods and eat seasonally....
read moreVegPower- a personal experience
If you have children or grandchildren in a County Durham Primary School you will have spotted them getting very excited about vegetables over the past few weeks. Through the support of TaylorShaw, the company providing school meals to the majority of primaries in the...
read moreThe journey from Bronze to Silver starts here!
We’re delighted to announce that our recent application to SFP to start our journey towards the Silver Award has been successful! Food Durham’s Bronze SFP award recognised the breadth and strength of activity by all our partners across County Durham who are working...
read moreBeamish has launched an exciting new food stall!
Featuring a range of just-released, locally produced products, the new stall in the 1900s Town is the perfect one-stop shop for your Edwardian essentials. From Pockerley Nettle cheese, Beamish blackberry jam and wildflower honey to Beamish dog biscuits, ploughman’s...
read moreCan you cut the mustard?
Did you know that Durham was the birthplace of English mustard, invented by Mrs Clements and first ground at a mill in Saddler Street in Durham City in the 18th Century? Visit County Durham are searching for a mustard producer and would love to hear about anyone...
read moreIt’s good to Grow your Own!
Families who have been accessing emergency food provision can come along to drop-in sessions at four community venues in County Durham. The team at OASES are offering activities to help people learn more about growing food by sowing seeds and potting up plants to...
read moreDid you know about Healthy Start Vouchers?
In April, the value of Healthy Start Vouchers was increased to £4.25 but many eligible families in County Durham are not claiming them. Healthy Start Vouchers are a way of helping pregnant women and families with young children to eat a healthier diet and are worth...
read moreFood and climate day of celebration and action- 29 September 2021
The Sustainable Food Places Network is leading a Food and Climate Day of Celebration and Action on Wednesday 29 September 2021, and we want everyone to get involved! Our food contributes about 30% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the UK and across the food chain...
read more