The Good Food Plan, which has a driving vision of “Good Food for All” was launched in October 2021 and is led by Feeding Liverpool and Liverpool City Council, further supported by partners across the public, private and voluntary sector.

The bronze award recognises the plan’s work to promote healthy, sustainable and local food and to take on some of today’s greatest social challenges, from food poverty and diet-related ill-health, to tackling the climate emergency and the loss of independent food retailers.

The Sustainable Food Places awards panel highlighted Liverpool’s exemplary work in dealing with food poverty and diet-related ill-health and its commitment to increasing access to affordable healthy food.

They also praised the city’s progress towards building a good food movement, involving diverse communities and people with lived experience of poverty.

Professor Matthew Ashton, Liverpool’s Director of Public Health, said:

“We are really pleased to receive this prestigious award, showcasing the collaboration between Feeding Liverpool, Liverpool City Council and partners to promote healthy, sustainable and local food.

“Each of us has a role to play to build a city where everyone can eat good food and this award demonstrates the progress the partnership has made towards achieving the Good Food Plan’s goals.”

Liverpool City Council Leader Cllr Liam Robinson said:

“To receive this award is a wonderful achievement for Liverpool and highlights the progress being made towards our commitment to ensuring that Liverpool’s residents have a right to food. Many challenges remain ahead but we will continue to build on this to ensure everyone in our city has access to healthy, nutritious, sustainable food.”

Dr Naomi Maynard, Good Food Programme Director, Feeding Liverpool:

“I am delighted that the hard work of hundreds of organisations and communities across Liverpool towards Good Food for All has been recognised on the national stage.

“Whilst the challenges we face are significant, the progress made over the last few years has highlighted what can be achieved when we take a joined up, holistic approach to sustainable and healthy food”.

Leon Ballin, Sustainable Food Places Programme Manager, said:

“Liverpool has shown just what can be achieved when creative and committed people work together to make healthy and sustainable food a defining characteristic of where they live.

“While there is still much to do and many challenges to overcome, Liverpool’s work through the Good Food Plan and food partnership Feeding Liverpool has helped to set a benchmark for other members of the UK Sustainable Food Places Network to follow. We look forward to working with them over the months and years ahead to continue to transform Liverpool’s food culture and food system for the better.”