Feeding Walsall’s Future, Walsall’s Food Plan for 2025-2030 has been developed in collaboration with the Walsall community and key stakeholders, including Walsall Council, NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, housing associations and the voluntary and community sector. It outlines a vision to cultivate a borough where good food is grown, accessible and promoted, ensuring all residents have fair access to healthy, affordable and tasty food choices.

The Food Plan emerged through conversations with stakeholders, communities and partners at the Walsall Food Summit in 2024, following the recommendations set out in the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report 2022 and aligning with the ambitions set out in the We are Walsall 2040 strategy.

Walsall’s Food Plan is already making an impact. A Local Food Partnership Steering group is in place, sharing the vision for a healthier, inclusive and sustainable food future. The Children and Families Healthy Eating Programme (delivered by Food for Life and commissioned by Walsall Council Public Health) supports over 19,000 children across Early Years and school settings. Five community shops across Walsall are providing affordable food, including the newly launched Carpathian Community Shop and Lucy’s Pantry. 

In the past six months, 600 adults have accessed support to be a healthier weight, and small grants are helping community groups promote healthy eating, physical activity and access to green spaces. Meanwhile, whg’s Community Growing network are turning disused land into productive gardens.

The Food Plan focuses on four priorities: supporting good food choices, promoting a good food environment, building a sustainable, responsible and resilient food system and local organisations leading by example.

“ Food is central to our health, wellbeing and communities and this plan marks a significant step forward in how we approach it across Walsall. By working with our Food Partnership, stakeholders, communities and residents, we can build a healthier, fairer and more sustainable food system in Walsall, one that empowers people, reduces inequalities and protects our environment for future generations. “

Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Health and Wellbeing
Walsall Council

The Health and Wellbeing Board will oversee the implementation of the Food Plan. Partners at the meeting committed to supporting the delivery of the Food Plan and will contribute to a range of actions set out in the plan.

To read the Food Plan and the papers from the Health and Wellbeing Board, visit the Council’s Committee Management and Information System website.

• The Walsall Food Partnership is built of stakeholders from across the food system, who share the vision for a healthier, inclusive and sustainable food future. The partnership involves:
  • Sharing knowledge and good practice to drive enterprise and innovation.
  • Coordinating action across the food system, connecting stakeholders and collaborating to empower the community.
  • Delivering local food projects across our communities to help make good food an option for all.
  • Advocating for Walsall residents through influencing local food policies, action plans and decision-making.
• Food for Life Walsall (led by the Soil Association) has been working with local authorities across the country for over 10 years, supporting schools, nurseries, caterers and communities to embed a good food culture within their settings and beyond. The Walsall programme (funded by Walsall Council Public Health) has been running since 2017 and are delivering the Children and Families Healthy Eating programme.