Ensuring food system is fit for the future
Last week I was fortunate enough to visit the South of England show in Ardingly at the invitation of the Country Landowners Association to speak about the important work the government is doing to help level up the rural economy. It was a pleasure to meet so many members of the West Sussex rural community and to hear about the fantastic work of our farmers, food producers and local entrepreneurs. I am always aware, as a West Sussex MP, what fantastic food and drink we produce, from high quality lamb and beef to sparkling wines and every fresh and healthy foodstuff in-between.
Against the challenging geopolitical backdrop of the last couple of years with Covid and now Russia’s war on Ukraine, it was great to see our local rural economy
in such great shape and to be reminded of the vital importance of the farming community to our food supply and national economy.
Appropriately enough, this week saw the launch of the government’s first-ever Food Strategy – our plan to transform our food system to ensure that it is fit for the future. The strategy responds to recent events and puts food security at the heart of the Government’s vision for the food sector. It will boost food production, job creation and the wider economy with a focus on skills and innovations. As importantly, we want people, at home and abroad, to be lining up to buy British – and our schools and local authorities to do the same.
On Saturday, I joined a throng of locals clutching possessions as I went to see the work of the BN44 Repair Café operating monthly in Breeding & Bamber Village Hall. Residents can bring down old or broken household items such as electrical appliances, tools, bicycles, clothing and timepieces and learn how to repair them and chat with local volunteers. It’s a terrific initiative and an example of community engagement in action. It is exciting to see so many of these repair cafes opening around West Sussex, bringing people together, learning new skills and tackling what is too often a throwaway society.