The vital work carried out by the West Lothian Food Network since the start of Covid is to be highlighted on a day of action, as they announce a link up with Jamie Oliver`s Ministry of Food.
Members of the Food Network plan to showcase the day-to-day variety of the work members do through their Food for Thought: Time for Action Day.
The hope is that the event – at West Lothian College in Livingston – will attract more commercial support to the community-based project.
West Lothian’s Voluntary Sector Gateway (VSG) continues to provide independence, governance and grant management to the Network.
Alan McCloskey, CEO of the Gateway told a meeting of the Economy Community Empowerment and Wealth Building PDSP: “The Network is holding an event on Friday 24 Oct at West Lothian College to showcase the vital work of the Food Network members.
“The Network has agreed to work with Jamie Oliver`s Ministry of Food Initiative which will help to teach people to cook with dignity, using Jamie Oliver`s recipes.”
The Ministry of Food is the largest community cooking programme in the UK. We work with councils, charities and other partners across the UK.
Ray Fallan, Coordinator of the Network, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “This event is more than a presentation; it’s a strategic gathering of local business leaders and residents committed to fighting food insecurity and poverty.
“Our early intervention work is a vital tool for crisis prevention.”
The event will allow potential backers to learn how they can help grow the network.
It will also include influential guest speakers and community leaders.
Ray added: “Your participation is a statement that your business stands for more than profit—it stands for people. Let’s create a future where no one in West Lothian is left behind.”
A spokesman for the VSG said this week: “The event will bring together local businesses, partners, and community leaders to celebrate the work of the Food Network, highlight the impact it has across West Lothian, and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
“With a line-up of engaging speakers, thought-provoking discussions, and the chance to connect directly with local organisations, it promises to be an inspiring afternoon.”
The Food Network was established in March 2020, just weeks before the lockdown was announced at the outbreak of the Covid pandemic.
The group initially had almost 40 members ranging from community fridge/ larder groups to food suppliers and charity groups.
It has now settled to a membership of 21 community groups which either provide cooked meals, low-cost food or community fridges. Members include social enterprises such as The Larder which additionally provides catering and food service training and two community cafe venues.
Among the other members are community venues such as The Vennie Food Outlet in Knightsridge, Fauldhouse & Breich Valley Community Development Trust, West Calder Hub, Polbeth Hub, Armadale and Blackridge Community Food Bank and West Lothian Financial Network SCIO.
West Lothian Council provided initial funding. The LDRS highlighted at the time that between May 2020 to the end of July 2021, the network provided a total of 1,818,642 meals and, on average, just over 4,000 people were fed each week.
Over 80% of those who have used the network indicated that they were financially at risk, on a low income and/or unemployed. The distribution includes a combination of cooked food delivered to homes, food parcels, local pantries to go and collect food, as well as providing toiletries, cleaning products, baby food and pet food.
By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter
