GWCT Allerton Project leading the way on boosting the sustainability of food in Leicestershire’s schools and hospitals

The GWCT’s demonstration farm the Allerton Project is hosting the Leicestershire Good Food Event, a sustainable food and procurement summit, with Good Food Leicestershire, on Thursday 29 September. Organisers are aiming to showcase the benefits for the environment, health and economy of increasing the amount of locally produced, sustainable and healthy food in the county’s schools, hospitals and other public services settings.

The recent government Food Strategy set out a goal of 50% locally produced or higher standard food in the public sector. The summit will bring together food producers with school and hospital caterers and supply chain managers, and Leicestershire County Council.

Joe Stanley, the Allerton Project’s Head of Training and Partnerships, and NFU County Chair for Leicestershire, Northants and Rutland, will kick off the event. He said:

“We are excited to be hosting the summit. It is a great example of our home county’s efforts to turn the government Food Strategy’s 50% target into reality.

“In conjunction with Leicestershire Country Council, we believe that incorporating local, high quality, high welfare and environmentally friendly food from Leicestershire businesses is more important now than ever to ensure the health and wellbeing of both our citizens and our planet.

“We will be talking about the health and business benefits of a more sustainable approach to public-sector food procurement. And we will look at how farmers can grasp more sustainable production methods and champion their existing high environmental and welfare standards to key public sector buyers.”

The event is free of charge and open to anyone with an interest in how farmers and the supply chain can work together with local authorities to improve the sustainability of public sector food procurement. The day’s programme includes a panel discussion and Q & A session, as well as the chance to sample some fine food from local producers in the lunchtime ‘Food Court’ and to network with potential suppliers and customers.

For more information and to book your place, please visit allertontrust.org.uk/events/ or call 01572 494541.

The event is part of the ongoing partnership between the Allerton Project and Leicestershire County Council.

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies.

The GWCT Allerton Project is a combination of commercial farming, research, demonstration and community engagement, based on a 320-hectare estate in Leicestershire, United Kingdom. The Project researches the effects of different farming methods on wildlife and the environment, sharing results of our research through advisory and educational activities.

We identify management that delivers multiple benefits for our rural landscape. Our work covers natural capital accounting, agri-environment schemes and regenerative farming systems. From soil and water, to woodland and environmental habitat that increases biodiversity, our aim is to build farmland resilience. Our own research team collaborate with other research organisations and help co-supervise numerous PhD and MSc projects.