“Food justice is not just about feeding the hungry; it’s about empowering communities and lasting change.”
— Leah Penniman
Food justice means ensuring everyone has access to nutritious, affordable food – no matter their income or where they live. Across the UK, communities are working together to create a fairer food system. You can get involved in a range of practical, local actions to help make this happen.
Get Involved in Local Food Projects
Food Co-ops
Food co-operatives are run by members who work together to choose what food to buy and how it’s distributed. These not-for-profit projects are designed to meet the needs of the community and are open to all.
Cooperation Town is a growing network of neighbourhood food co-ops that can be set up on any street or estate. They offer a starter guide to help you set one up in your area. Find out more in this short video.
Membership Organisations
Food and Solidarity is a membership co-op tackling food and housing insecurity through collective action. Volunteers help with their weekly food parcel distributions.
Food Advocacy Campaigns
Several national organisations are campaigning for long-term solutions to food poverty:
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Feeding Britain works to eliminate hunger through research, action, and advocacy. [Join their network.]
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The Trussel Trust campaigns for a future where no one needs a food bank. [Support their campaigns.]
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Free School Meals For All focuses on ending child hunger in schools.
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Sustain runs campaigns to improve food systems at a national level. (Support the Yes to School Food For All Campaign)
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The Food Foundation offers volunteer roles for young people and adults to become Food Ambassadors, campaigning for fair, healthy and sustainable food systems. They also provide a Food Activist Toolkit to support local campaigning.
Social Supermarkets
Social supermarkets offer affordable groceries and fresh food to people experiencing food insecurity. In North Tyneside, you can volunteer with:
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Nourish Store (Cedarwood Trust)
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The Bread & Butter Thing (Howdon Hub)
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The Pop Up Pantry mobile food shop
Food Banks
Food banks play a vital role when people are in crisis. Opportunities to volunteer include:
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Tin on a Wall monthly doorstep collections across Newcastle and North Tyneside
Cooking and Eating Together
Sharing food helps build connection and tackle loneliness:
- Foodcycle – volunteer to cook and serve meals using surplus food
Men’s Pie Club – supports men to cook and connect over pie-making
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Project BIND / The Magic Hat Café – help reduce food waste by turning surplus food into daily menus
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Nourish Food School – assist with cookery classes tackling food-related health concerns and food insecurity
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The Big Lunch – take part in a national day of community meals. [Download a free Big Lunch pack]
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Soil Association’s Food for Life – take part in ‘Plant and Share’ or ‘Cook and Share’ events. [Sign up for a free resource pack]
You can also volunteer with one of the community cafés across North Tyneside, including:
Community Growing Projects
Community growing projects aim to increase access to locally produced, healthy food, increasing food sovereignty. North Tyneside has several local projects offering volunteering opportunities. [Find out more here.]
Take Action for Food Justice
Whether you want to volunteer, grow food, collect donations, or join a campaign, there are lots of ways to take action locally for food justice.
Further Reading
Explore the history of food solidarity through Foodbank Histories: Solidarity and Mutual Aid in the Past and Present – an oral history project by Alison Atkinson-Phillips, Silvie Fisch, Graham Smith and Jack Hepworth.
