At a Transitions Town gathering of some 400 people in 2008, local residents set out to answer the question “How can Norwich feed itself?” The question arose out of deep concerns around food security. The cooperatively owned Norwich FarmShare and the award-winning Hodmedod’s – a trailblazer in regenerative food and farming – were born from that inquiry. In more recent years, the number of market and community gardens in or near the city has grown. And Norwich has very active allotments. Nevertheless, we have not really begun to answer this question of how to localise food systems so that we could feed ourselves in a future of uncertainty.

In early 2023, UK communities are dealing with an unprecedented overlap of events causing severe impacts on people and families. These include: sharp rises in the cost of living, acutely felt in food and energy prices; an ongoing global pandemic and its legacies impacting a health service already under strain; and inflation and financial pressures. Within this, the food system is under particular pressure: the aftermath of Brexit has caused localised and temporary food shortages while new trade deals and transport systems are negotiated. And farmers have suffered dual impacts of energy price rises pushing production and fertiliser costs up while trying to wait out the uncertainties of new land management provisions, causing many to consider closing their businesses.

All of this means that businesses, institutions, charities, community groups, activists and members of the general public are recognising how important food is. The choice of ‘heat or eat’ is becoming a daily reality for significant proportions of the population. With ever more people living with precarious food security, food justice or food sovereignty, now is the time for Norwich to make a step change toward a localised, sustainable – indeed, regenerative – food system that puts healthy eating and wellbeing at its centre. 

“What is needed is a strategic, collaborative approach across a wide range of stakeholders to bring together ourenergy, knowledge and action to support our city residents. And that is what we have begun to build. We hope you will join us.”

–Sabine Virani, Coordinator of Sustainable Food Places