Author: Alex Wright, Knapton Wright
In a region as rich in agricultural heritage as Lincolnshire, the depressing irony of food poverty and inequality casts a long shadow. Yet, if one thing was clear from a recent gathering of changemakers, at the Greater Lincolnshire Food Partnership’s recent Food Summit it was that there’s a palpable hunger – not just for food – but for change.
The event brought together passionate voices, including Simon Hawking, Matti Colley, Steve Meadwell, Andy Cleaver, and Carolina Camacho, to discuss how the county can address the complex issues surrounding food, health, and inequality. From moving panel discussions to hands-on mapping exercises, attendees worked to expose the challenges faced by Lincolnshire’s most vulnerable communities while charting paths for meaningful action.
Breaking the silence around food injustice
Simon Hawking struck a chord when he described the normalisation of ‘food sacrifice’ – the act of skipping meals due to financial hardship or lack of access. He highlighted it as a reality many experience but rarely discuss: food insecurity is not a fringe issue. It’s a silent crisis affecting families across Lincolnshire. This isn’t about occasional tough choices. It’s about a systemic problem where going without food has become an invisible and unspoken norm.
Matti Colley followed on from this by sharing her personal journey, illustrating how early childhood experiences with food shaped her relationship with it in adulthood. Her story underscored how pivotal education and early intervention are in equipping younger generations with the tools and knowledge to make healthier choices. The consensus? Teaching children about food, cooking, and nutrition is essential – but it’s not enough to combat the deeper challenges of poverty and accessibility.
Andy Cleaver of the Trussell Trust introduced a bold vision: a world without food banks. While it may sound counterintuitive for an organisation focused on emergency food aid, the Trust’s goal is to address the root causes driving people to food banks – poverty, poor education, and systemic inequality.
Disrupting the status quo
The energy in the room remained high as Carolina Camacho led an interactive session in the afternoon, mapping Lincolnshire’s food landscape. The activity encouraged participants to think disruptively, challenge assumptions, and propose bold ideas. Carolina called for ‘crazy ideas’ and the room delivered:
- Mandating change: One suggestion was for the government to require food retailers to allocate 1% of their revenue toward funding food banks.
- A food forest: A visionary attendee described a space where communities could grow and harvest their own food – a tangible step toward food sovereignty.
- Addressing access challenges: From fuel poverty to literacy barriers, the discussion highlighted how many obstacles stand between families and healthy food choices.
Carolina’s session served as a reminder that real change requires shaking up entrenched systems. She encouraged attendees to look beyond conventional solutions, envisioning a future where every Lincolnshire resident can access nutritious food.
Kindness as a catalyst for change
Amid the big ideas and systemic critiques, a simple truth emerged: small acts of kindness can break the cycle of poverty and food insecurity. Whether it’s lending an ear, sharing a meal, or offering a helping hand, human connection can be a powerful force for change.
One participant captured the mood perfectly: “Sometimes, just being a friend is enough.”
What comes next?
As the day drew to a close, attendees reflected on what surprised them most. For many, it was the realisation that people with connections to Westminster were present and actively working to address local food challenges. Others were struck by how widespread confusion about food has become – too many options, too much misinformation, and not enough education.
The event left participants with a renewed sense of purpose and determination to push forward. The frustration in the room was palpable, but so was the resolve to make a difference.
Lincolnshire’s food crisis is not an isolated problem. It’s part of a broader network of issues that demand immediate attention. As one attendee noted, “Every international movement started as a local movement”.
The work being done by grassroots organisations, charities, and volunteers is nothing short of heroic. But it shouldn’t fall solely on their shoulders. Why is it left to volunteer-led initiatives to scrape together funding to tackle such an urgent issue?
It’s time for leaders, policymakers, and businesses to step up and support the incredible groundwork already being laid. It’s time for the many, not the few to make change happen.
Whether through policy changes, increased funding, or simply amplifying the voices of those on the frontlines, we all have a role to play in building a future where no one has to choose between food and survival.
This event was a powerful reminder: change is not only necessary, it’s possible. And Lincolnshire is ready to lead the way.
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