Key Strategic & Research Documents
Grassroots work is essential in building a better food network for everyone in Sheffield. But as vitally important is research and a fully realised strategy to get us where we need to be. This page includes some of our key strategic and research documents that will make Sheffield’s food system the best it can be.
Sheffield’s Local Food Action Plan
Published: 2023
We are incredibly excited to launch ShefFood’s Local Food Action Plan for Sheffield 2023-2030. This plan recognises and celebrates Sheffield’s current and future actions toward a fairer, more sustainable, and more resilient food system. Almost one hundred organisations were involved in the co-creation of the plan. Our collective aim is to celebrate the incredible food initiatives, organisations, and networks that exist across the city. And to better understand how we can change Sheffield’s food system together.
Sheffield Food Strategy
Published: 2022
“Fairer, Healthier, Greener“
Although authored by Sheffield City Council, this Food Strategy is the culmination of many years of conversations with partners across our local food system. It demonstrates the council’s own commitment to this agenda, but it is also a call to action for our partners, who we know share our aspirations. It has been written to be overarching across the multiple policy areas that impact the food system and is intended to facilitate further work and conversations both within the council and with our partners in the city.
Fringe Farming Reports
Published: 2021, 2022
The Fringe Farming initiative collaborates with UK food, farming and land organisations to increase agroecological farming at the edge of cities.
The National Report highlights the critical issues and barriers holding back the growth of peri-urban agroecology with associated public goods and offers a series of policy recommendations for local, regional, and national government action, with case studies in a number of areas.
The Sheffield Report gives an overview of the existing context of peri-urban growing in Sheffield and the surrounding area, provides inspiring case studies from around the world and closer to home, identifies data gaps, and suggests some potential ideas for further discussion.
Low Carbon Food Infrastructure in Sheffield
Published: 2021
This discussion paper was produced specifically for candidates and elected members of Sheffield City Council, in the lead-up to the 2021 local elections, with a view to raising awareness of the challenges, opportunities and solutions offered by low-carbon food production for the people of Sheffield.
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The Food Ladders Project
Published: 2022
Mapping the Geographies of Food Provision in Sheffield
The Food Ladders Project report maps the current distribution of food services and resources across the city. It highlights the fantastic work already going on in Sheffield but also the limitations and inequalities within the provision of fair food in the region.
ShefFood’s Silver Award Submission to Sustainable Food Places
Published: 2023
Our Silver award submission to Sustainable Food Places, which won Sheffield its silver award in 2023. This document highlights the continued work of organisations across the city working towards a fairer, more sustainable food system.
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ShefFood’s Bronze Award Submission to Sustainable Food Places
Published: 2020
Our Bronze award submission to Sustainable Food Places, which won Sheffield its bronze award in 2020. This document highlights the fantastic work of organisations across the city working towards a fairer, more sustainable food system.
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QR Reports
Published: 2023
Six original reports authored by student researchers in collaboration with Regather and the Institute for Sustainable Food at the University of Sheffield. In 2022, the ‘Local Food Systems Policy Accelerator’ project was introduced as a way to catalyse evidence-based, localised food system policy change. As part of the project, eight students were recruited to conduct in-depth research into food system issues affecting Sheffield. The student researchers were asked to identify the mechanisms or ‘levers for change’ that can hasten the development of more sustainable food systems and infrastructure throughout the city. The finished reports provided a valuable resource for local organisations working in the food sector, including ShefFood. Read more on the Regather website.
