Progressing the Right to Food in Scotland

The Scottish Government and our local authorities are responsible for a wide range of activities that affect how easy or difficult it is for people in Scotland to afford healthy, culturally appropriate and sustainable food. In this event, we will explore how national and local strategies to reduce the cost of living are affecting household budgets and people’s ability to afford food with dignity and choice. Looking at Universal Free School Meals and transport in particular, participants will learn about how current strategies are working and will consider what else can be done at a local level to take us towards a Scotland where everyone can take pride and pleasure in the food that we eat.

In this Learning Event you will:

• Hear about existing local and national strategies to reduce the cost of living, and these relate to people’s ability to afford food with dignity and choice.
• Discuss with others how these strategies are being put in practice and what we can do at a local level to improve their reach and effectiveness.
• Consider what else needs to be done to realise the right to food in Scotland.

Confirmed speakers include:

Universal Free School Meals Panel:

• Chris Ross, Catering Manager at Edinburgh City Council and Vice Chair of ASSIST FM
• Nicky Joiner, Catering Officer in East Renfrewshire Council

Transport Panel:

• Suzi Murning, Campaigns Officer, The Poverty Alliance
• Vivien Opiolka , Development Officer, Central and West Integration Network

Moderated by Jayne Jones, Commercial Manager for Argyll & Bute Council and Chair of ASSIST FM

Ensuring that everyone in Scotland has reliable access to affordable and nutritious food is a core part of realising the right to food and promoting dignity. Making this a reality requires collaboration across public, private and third sector stakeholders as well as coordination of national, local and community-level action. This event series explores practical examples of how rights-based and dignified approaches are already underway in Scotland and elsewhere, and what more can be learned about our next steps.