News / Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2021
Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2021, Day 16: Bristol Local Food Fund
On day 16, we are celebrating Bristol Local Food Fund (BLFF), a community initiative that aims to combat deepening food insecurity by funding community food projects that support the most vulnerable people in Bristol.
The initiative was launched in July last year by Bristol resident Mike Lloyd-Jones, and today is run entirely by a small group of dedicated volunteers.
In the new year, BLFF plan to allocate its funds via a carefully-selected group of people, or Citizens Panel, all with a lived experience of food insecurity in Bristol to make sure that money will go where it is most needed.
is needed now More than ever
The initiative is driven by a grassroots-led approach to food justice – photo courtesy of Bristol Local Food Fund
Ed Oswald, representative of the initiative, told Bristol24/7 that “one in 20 households across Bristol can’t regularly access enough affordable and quality food to make up a healthy diet.”
The community food projects that the initiative will look to fund not only tackle food insecurity by creating a more equitable food system, but also help “empower residents, improve mental and physical health and tackle social isolation.”
A recent crowdfunder campaign, described by the initiative as “electrifying and intense”, managed to raise upwards of £60,000 and amassed cross-city support with over 500 people donating.
However, BLFF stated that there is still more to be done to tackle food insecurity in Bristol, saying: “Rising food prices, supply chain failures, and recent cuts to Universal Credit are all conspiring to wreak a very harsh winter on already vulnerable households.
“Now more than ever we need to come together and support everyone in our community and spread the Christmas spirit.”
Main photo courtesy of Bristol Local Food Fund
Read more: Helping vulnerable communities fight food insecurity
Listen to the latest Bristol 247 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
