We discussed the value of a Local Food Plan as a means to delivering the aims of the Good Food Nation Act and in helping Local Authorities achieve their Food Plan. We learned about how Highland Council is approaching their food plan which was useful given that Perth and Kinross Council are further behind. We also discussed how a Local Food Plan might work in different communities and how the government might support local communities to do this. This is a complex area and there is no ‘one size fits all’ for communities which may mean a local food plan model might be more difficult to implement. Also how would government distribute funding to support this.

Learning Outcomes

• Exploring the value of a Local Food Pan in helping to deliver the Good Food Nation Act. What a LFP might look like, where it can add value, what support communities need from the government to do this work.
• Learning about mapping and the value of mapping local food locations.
• Exploring methods of communication within the community and to relevant partners and government.

The visit was very useful in giving us a broader view of food projects in rural areas around Scotland, potential solutions to similar issues and links to many organisations that are working to develop food projects and make change. As a tiny project it is great to feel that we are 'singing from the same song sheet' as other groups and organisations around Scotland. It also helped to connect to others. The visit gave us so many ideas as to what we could do in our area as well as how to produce evidence behind the ideas.