FOOD poverty is in the spotlight at a conference in Middlesbrough this week.
Middlesbrough Food Partnership is hosting the Food For Thought event at Teesside University on Friday (February 19).
The day will focus on the issues involved in providing sustainable, healthy and affordable food for all people in Middlesbrough – with a particular focus on food poverty and insecurity.
The event is aimed at charitable organisations, housing providers, local authority services and other public and private sector agencies, and anyone in Middlesbrough who provides, cooks, or grows food.
More than 60 delegates from businesses, charities and organisations across the North East are already signed up and will be welcomed by Middlesbrough’s elected Mayor Dave Budd who signed the town’s Food Poverty Pledge in June last year.
Mayor Budd will give the opening address, while keynote speakers include Geoff Tansey, Chair of the Fabian Commission for Food Poverty which recently published the Hungry for Change report setting out how a fairer food system can be built which works better for people on low incomes.
Also addressing the conference will be Church Action on Poverty Director Niall Cooper who has led a number of high-profile campaigns on debt, poverty and asylum issues.
Food is being provided on a ‘pay as you feel’ basis where people will pay what they think the meal is worth. Money raised will then be donated to local food charities.
The Middlesbrough Food Poverty Conference takes place at The Hub in the Campus Heart at Teesside University and will feature a series of presentations and workshops followed by lunch and networking.
Attendance is free but places are limited and booking is essential – email henry@menvcity.org.uk or visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/food-for-thought-tickets-20502588795