AN ambitious plan to create a network of healthy, affordable and accessible local produce has been launched – starting with a detailed survey of the Liverpool City Region’s food ecosystem.

The new survey is the 1st by a City Region and will analyse the production, supply and sale of local produce – from growers and wholesalers to schools and hospitality. It marks the 1st step towards creating a fair and sustainable LCR Food Network.

It has been launched in response to a major report commissioned by Mayor Steve Rotheram during the cost-of-living crisis which has revealed the scale of food poverty.

The report found the City Region is home to half of England’s 10 most deprived ‘food deserts’ – neighbourhoods of 5,000 to 15,000 people with poor access to affordable and healthy food.

To ‘shift the dial’ in a meaningful way, the study called for a fully collaborative and co-operative approach across the social, public, and private sectors.  As a first step, the Combined Authority has commissioned a deep dive into the food system – leading to the creation of an interactive digital map.

Cllr Paula Basnett, Liverpool City Region Cabinet Member for Health and Inequalities, said:- “This initiative is a vital step towards building a healthier, fairer City Region. By understanding how food is grown, shared and accessed locally, we can begin to close the gaps that leave too many families struggling. It’s about creating a system where nutritious food is not a privilege, but a basic right—delivered in ways that support our communities and protect our environment.”

The report ‘Sustainable and Affordable Food for Liverpool City Region:- Recommendations for Change’ was prepared by the VS6 Partnership which represents the City Region’s 8,600 voluntary, community, faith and social enterprises.

It highlighted the need for decisive action in a city region where food insecurity is a significant problem faced by many families.

The report recommended, for the 1rst time, co-ordinating and strengthening the efforts of the local voluntary sector – including foodbanks, pantries and community growers – to address the root causes of food insecurity.

It also called for the development of a detailed LCR Food Network. The new survey launched this week lays the groundwork.

The charity Feeding Liverpool has been commissioned to look at relationships within the local food system, including flows of food, funding, and influence, identifying opportunities for development and policy influence, and creating an interactive digital concept map which stakeholders can update.  

Keenan Humble, Director at Feeding Liverpool, said:- “Feeding Liverpool is pleased to be working alongside partners from across the Liverpool City Region on this important research project to better understand our regional food system. By mapping who’s involved and how the system operates, we hope to lay the groundwork for a more joined-up, fair and sustainable approach to food across all 6 local authority areas. As Liverpool’s food alliance lead, we’ve seen 1st-hand the value of collaboration through the Good Food Alliance. This project is an opportunity to extend that spirit of partnership across the region. We hope this that this research will be the catalyst for further local development and innovation, that can be connected at a regional level to better support the needs and aspirations of our respective local residents and organisations. We encourage everyone working in the food space—whether in community organisations, local government, businesses or beyond—to engage with the research and help shape a food system that works better for everyone who lives and works in the Liverpool City Region.”

If you’re involved in growing, making, moving, selling, or supporting access to food in the Liverpool City Region, please take a few minutes to complete this short survey. Your insights will help shape a fairer, more connected and sustainable regional food network.