ACS

The Cabinet Office Strategy Unit has published a report that reviews food production and consumption within the UK and analyses the implications of these trends for society, the economy and the environment. The report then aims to determine objectives for a future food strategy and how these can be achieved.

The report sets the precedent for food to be treated as one strategic area, linking food issues together, whether they are related to the economy, environment, farming, food safety, waste or the wider health agenda. Many local authorities do already have a 'Local Food Strategy' in place. It states, ‘Given the challenges ahead and the changing nature of the food debate, a more integrated approach is needed which does a better job of combining the health, food safety, nutrition and sustainability aspects of food choice.’

The report specifically highlights work in local authorities on food procurement, local food projects, Scores on the Doors, Safer Food Better Business and the focus on ‘interventions’ rather than inspection.

The report touches upon many areas where councils provide services -

Making healthy choices when eating out;
No room for complacency about food safety;
The role for local food projects in encouraging debate and facilitating behavioural changes;
Targeting groups where intake of fruit and vegetables is low, notably low income families;
Food labelling;
Regulation of animal feed;
Waste packaging from food and food waste in general;
Transfer of diseases from animals to humans;
Changing eating patterns to positively influence public health;
Emergencies, including flooding;
The local economy
Food procurement
Planning

The report is available at: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/strategy/work_areas/food_policy.aspx