It's all about Food in Hyndburn

1. Introduction

 

1. This survey is part of a consultation that the PROSPECTS Foundation and Adventure Hyndburn (formerly Surestart Hyndburn) is carrying out to identify the need and demand for a new Food programme in Hyndburn.

Both PROSPECTS and Adventure Hyndburn have been involved in food and nutrition programmes in Hyndburn for many years. Between us, we've identified a range of activities and issues from evaluations of past work and also discussions and comments from groups we've worked with.

However, we want as many people as possible to provide input into this programme. We don't have all the answers. There are many models elsewhere in the North West of how to improve food growing, health, diet, reduce food waste etc.

So, please add any ideas you have. There is space at the end of the survey to add your own comments.

Finally, many thanks for taking the time to complete our survey!

If you'd like to be involved or kept updated on progress please add your contact details in the box below or at the very end of the survey in question 14.

 

2. HYNDBURN FOOD NETWORK

Do you think there is a need to establish a 'Food Network' in Hyndburn to help co-ordinate activity?

We envisage a network being a place where individuals, growers, stakeholders, agencies, food retailers etc would help identify the gaps and issues surrounding food in Hyndburn, and then help to identify ways to address these issues.  Whether through better communication, setting up new food schemes, linking food growers to food banks, helping reduce food waste by linking supply and demand, helping to promote food growing, cooking skills etc.

 

3. PROMOTING A HEALTHY & NUTRITIOUS DIET

Do you agree that there is a need to promote a more healthy and nutritious diet & lifestyle to people in Hyndburn?

This is based on the 2015 indices of Multiple Deprivation for Health Deprivation and Disability that show 35 of the 52 Lower Super Output Areas (LSOA) in Hyndburn are within the 20% most deprived nationally.  Also, 38 of the 52 LSOA's have deteriorated since 2010.

 

4. FOOD GROWING

Do you think this programme should promote more food growing in Hyndburn?

 

5. SUPPORT, TRAINING & KNOWLEDGE

Do you think there is the need to provide individuals / groups with support, training and general advice around food growing and then on to cooking?

This kind of support could involve organised sessions (both open to the public and also some just for specific groups) on all aspects of food growing, ranging from pre-planning (what to grow, where, how etc), practical 'hands on' training on how to grow fruit and veg, how to control pests and diseases (using organic principles), how to preserve your produce to make it last longer and reduce waste, how to cook healthy meals etc.

 

6. ACCESS TO GROWING SPACES

How easy has it been to find a suitable food growing space in Hyndburn?

As well as the usual places like council and private allotments, people also grow food in pots in their backyards, some people also let others use their garden to grow food, the Incredible Edible movement encourages growing in highly public areas and encourage people to pick the produce and take it away.

 

7. REDUCING FOOD WASTE

Do you agree that we should be doing something to address the growing levels of food waste in Hyndburn?

Food waste includes supermarket waste, food at home, helping allotments to share seasonal gluts (i.e. tomatoes) with people who may want it, teaching people how to make preserves and soups, linking supply with demand etc.

 

8. LINKS TO FOOD BANKS

Do you think it would be good to link food growers to local Hyndburn Food Banks?

We would like to help establish links between growers in Hyndburn (i.e. individuals at home, community groups with growing spaces and allotment sites) to the growing list of Food Banks in the Borough.

 

9. COOKING UTENSILS

Do you think there is a need to provide some basic cooking utensils (maybe linked to attendance at led sessions) for people who are in difficult circumstances?

This is directly aimed at supporting and helping those within our community who may only have a kettle or microwave to prepare meals. 

 

10. COMMUNITY FOOD BUYING CO-OPS

Do you think it would be a good idea to try and help establish a community food buying co-operative that could buy staple foods (i.e. veg, rice, pasta, seeds, nuts etc) so that they could be sold to members at a lower and more affordable price? Also, do you think seasonal pop up shops in the townships of Hyndburn, selling produce would be a good idea?

 

11. IS THERE ANYTHING WE'RE MISSING?

The above ideas are ones that we've identified from evaluations of past food growing programmes, talking to groups we work with and issues identified nationally.  However, we realise that there may be other issues, ideas, solutions out there.  So, if you want to add anything, absolutely anything, please feel free.

If there's something happening elsewhere that you think we should know of, or could replicate in Hyndburn, then please let us know.

 

12. WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE INVOLVED FURTHER?

If we're successful, we'd like to know if people would like to be kept updated so that they can take part in the new programme.  This could involve being part of the Food Network or learning about food growing, cooking skills, linking to a Food Bank etc.

If so, please leave your contact details in the box below and also indicate what activities you'd like to be involved in. 

 

13. Finally, so that we can be certain we're reaching as wide a range of our community as possible, can you please indicate below what angle you've been answering this survey from?

I.e. whether as a resident, someone who might use some of the services we're thinking of, a community group, an allotment holder, a project worker with clients, a health professional etc. Please tick any that are relevant or the other box if your particular situation is not highlighted.

 

14. Contact Details

If you're happy to let us know who you are and what organisation (if any) you're representing then please use the box below.

If you supply an e-mail address we let you know if we've been successful and also so that you can be informed of any food activity that you might be interested in.