Food and drink action plan
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Introduction
To reduce the environmental impacts of food production, but still meet the rising demands, more food will need to be produced using less land and emitting fewer greenhouse gases. This will mean farming practices within Dorset will need to change. And there will need to be a significant shift in the behaviour of consumers here in Dorset.
Dorset Council must work towards reducing its own carbon emissions output, food poverty and the level of waste produced, all while meeting the increasing demand for food. To do so, we must facilitate change through direct, indirect and influential initiatives.
After detailed evidence and information gathering exercises, led by the EAP and carried out by officer working groups, it has been recommended that the Council implement the following nine actions in relation to food and drink.
Milestones have been identified for each action. This plan shows the immediate targets we will need to achieve by 2023 to keep us on track.
Objective 1
Objective 1 - food and drink
| Objective | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost |
|---|
|
Increase local, low-carbon food
production in Dorset
|
Direct action
Indirect action
Partnership /influence action
|
Low |
Improves ecology
Builds resilience
Encourages economic sistainability
Enhances health and wellbeing
|
Low |
Actions for objective 1 - food and drink
| Action | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost | 2021-2023 target |
|---|
|
Increase range of eligible fruits on Council owned open spaces through development of community orchards scheme
|
Direct action |
Low |
Improves ecology
Enhances health and wellbeing
|
None |
2 additional orchards developed
by March 2023
|
|
Reduce use of fertilizers on council land by increased use of locally produced compost
|
Direct action |
Low |
Improves ecology
Enhances health and wellbeing
|
None |
Undertake audit and revise policy as
required by Dec 2021
|
|
Ensure well provisioned new allotments are provided wherever possible through the planning process and work with Towns and Parishes to enable community use
|
Partnership /influence action |
Low |
Improves ecology
Enhances health and wellbeing
|
None |
New allotment space opened in Dorset
from 2021
|
|
Develop plan to transition County Farms to low carbon production - Work with County Farm tenants to encourage the adoption of more climate and ecological friendly practices
|
Indirect action |
Low |
Improves ecology
Builds resilience
|
None |
Future action
beyond 2023
|
|
Work with producers, local business's (restaurants and café's) and partners to promote 'local food' Green Kitchen Standard/ Food for Life and reduce food miles
|
Partnership /influence action |
Low |
Improves ecology
Builds resilience
Encourages economic sustainability
Enhances health and wellbeing
|
Low |
Future action
beyond 2023
|
Objective 2
Objective 2 - food and drink
| Objective | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost |
|---|
|
Encourage more low carbon cooking and meals
|
Direct action
Partnership /influence action
|
Low |
Improves ecology
Encourages economic sustainability
Enhances health and wellbeing
|
Low |
Actions for objective 2 - food and drink
| Action | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost | 2021-2023 target |
|---|
|
Explore adoption for 'local food' Green Kitchen Standard/ Food for Life and reduce food miles within existing Dorset Council contracts
|
Direct action |
None |
Improves ecology
Encourages economic sustainability
Enhances health and wellbeing
|
Low |
Future action
beyond 2023
|
|
Promote the principles and benefits of low carbon healthy cooking e.g. Green Kitchen Standard/ Food for Life and EATS to residents of Dorset
|
Partnership /influence action |
Medium |
Improves ecology
Enhances health and wellbeing
|
Low |
Communications plan developed and content created by 2023 |
Objective 3
Objective 3 - food and drink
| Objective | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost |
|---|
|
Reduce the consumption of high carbon foods
|
Direct action |
None |
Improves ecology
Encourages economic sustainability
Enhances health and wellbeing
|
None |
Actions for objective 3 - food and drink
| Action | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost | 2021-2023 target |
|---|
|
Explore carbon reduction opportunities in the procurement of catering services and contracts (when subject to renewal)
|
Direct action |
None |
Improves ecology
Encourages economic sustainability
Enhances health and wellbeing
|
None |
Future action
beyond 2023
|
Objective 4
| Objective | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost |
|---|
| Ensure Food & Drink supplies are resilient to climate change |
Partnership /influence action |
Low |
Improves ecology
Builds resilience
|
Low |
Actions for objective 3 - food and drink
| Action | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost | 2021-2023 target |
|---|
|
Work with partners to help food and drink suppliers within Dorset to be resilient and adapt to climate change
|
Partnership /influence action |
Low |
Improves ecology
Builds resilience
|
Low |
Future action
beyond 2023
|