Community Action for Food and the Environment
(CAFE) and East Sussex Food and Health Programme
Community Action for Food and the Environment (CAFE) is a food-focused
programme based in East Sussex, which brings together strategic partners
and supports community food initiatives. It aims to make improvements
in health, the economy and the environment by increasing access to a healthier
diet particularly for those people on low incomes, and by encouraging
greater production and consumption of local produce. Primarily funded
by the Countryside Agency and Health and Local Authorities.
Here are some of the projects that CAFE has developed and supported:
- Fresh Ideas - A programme to support community food initiatives,
which aims to improve access to a healthier diet - particularly in communities
of disadvantage. This programme includes direct project support and fundraising,
training, a newsletter, supporting community groups to develop food and
developing a network of community food initiatives.
One Fresh Idea is the Simon and Sinita initiative. It is a successful
initiative, which aims to increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables
by pre-school children.
Fresh Ideas workers are being appointed in a number of priority areas
through such schemes as Sure Start, New Deal for Communities, Neighbourhood
Renewal and Healthy Living Centres supporting food co-ops, fruit breaks,
training, Simon and Sinita, auditing community kitchens, and offering
training and support to other initiatives.
- 5 A Day - Cafe was instrumental in bidding successfully for Department
of Health Money to pilot a whole population approach to increasing fruit
and veg consumption in Hastings and St Leonard's and continues to Chair
the Advisory Group. A new Five a Day scheme for East Sussex is currently
being considered by the New Opportunities Fund.
- As part of its work on raising awareness of food production, its effects
on the environment and the consequent benefits of purchasing local foods,
CAFE has raised awareness through its Fresh Ideas Newsletter, supported
local produce initiatives such as Seaford and Hailsham Farmers Markets
and has been active in the Sussex Farmers Market Co-ordinating Group.
It has also commissioned research on the benefits of village produce
markets.
- In April 2002, CAFE and local authority partners were successful
in securing £1m from the NOF Healthy Living Centre to form the
'Food and Health Partnership.' This is a partnership of statutory, voluntary,
and community organisations and representatives from producers and consumers
across East Sussex. The project aims to develop a strategic approach
to tackling ill health caused by poor access to a healthy diet as defined
by lack of availability, affordability, awareness and acceptability of
healthy food. Target groups will be people on low incomes, adults with
disabilities, children and adults in care homes or day centres and children
in schools and pre-schools and residents of priority areas in East Sussex.
For further information please contact:
Johnny Denis
Community Action for Food and the Environment,
Springman House,
8 North Street,
Lewes BN7 2PB
tel 01273 485383,
email info@freshideas.org.uk
