Celebrating the North East's taste for good food

North Tyneside: Fish Quay pilot

Langoustines are a prized catch in North Tyneside, mainly for export, but the bycatch (including cod and skate) is a significant environmental issue. In August 2024, a new initiative was piloted to unite local businesses and charities to transform this surplus fish from the North Sea into meals for residents. This project repurposed bycatch for delicious meals and was made possible by the Holiday Activity Fund (HAF) and the renowned Riley’s Fish Shack. Students were involved in workshops filleting fish, gaining skills and qualifications and experiencing life in the fishing industry, whilst playing a crucial role in supporting efforts to address food poverty. This collaborative effort has laid the foundation for a sustainable scheme that honours the borough’s rich fishing heritage. The project has addressed immediate food waste and insecurity challenges as well as inspiring the next generation to consider careers in this industry.

Stockton on Tees: Allotment donation scheme

At Catalyst, the charity that supports other charities in Stockton-on-Tees, an allotment donation scheme was developed in 2023. Furthermore, Stockton-on-Tees Food Power Network Project Coordinator connected Oxbridge and Spennithorne allotments to Sprouts Community Food Charity, alongside Billingham and Stockton Foodbank. Connecting with the allotment association, a pilot produce donation scheme was developed. This involved collecting locally grown produce in an electric van and delivering it weekly to the food charity and foodbank over summer. 

As a result, around 50 large crates of fresh fruit and vegetables were donated, which supported approximately 500 people. These organisations support a significant number of BAME, asylum seeker and refugee clients. 

Sunderland: Addressing Food Poverty

In July 2020, Sunderland City Council was accredited by Citizens UK and the Living Wage Foundation as a ‘UK Living Wage Employer’. In 2022, Sunderland won a national award for its work championing the right of lower paid workers and became the first city in the North East to be recognized as a Living Wage City by the Living Wage Foundation.

Since then the City Council has been working in partnership with the Living Wage Foundation and major city employers to promote the Real Living Wage and to form an alliance with an aim of expanding the living wage in the city. Local businesses and employers will be encouraged to pay employees the Real Living Wage and become accredited as Living Wage Employers.

Middlesborough: Food partnership aspirations

The Middlesbrough Food Partnership, which currently holds a Sustainable Food Places Silver Award, takes a joined up, holistic approach to food action to create significant change on a range of key food issues.

It is made up of a collaboration of partners from across the food sector, and welcomes and encourages the participation of everyone involved in the local food system. This includes individuals, groups, organisations, and businesses, each bringing unique connections to different communities.

The partnership has a central steering group, the Food Power Alliance, a key subgroup connected to the Local Authority’s Financial Inclusion Group, and the Eco Shop (Social Supermarket) Network. It is also a founding member of North East Sustainable Food Alliance (NESFA), which collaborates with other food partnerships on regional initiatives. NESFA has previously led work on the Good Food Economy and working towards further engagement with anchor institutions in Dynamic Food Procurement, helping to drive a more sustainable approach to food sourcing.

The partnership is working towards achieving the Sustainable Places Gold Award which they aim to secure by the end of 2024.

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