From Vision to Delivery: Developing a Resilient, Community-Driven Food Policy for Cork

Background

Ireland’s food system is currently dependent on long supply chains, with the country importing 83% of its fruit and vegetables while domestic horticultural production has declined. This vulnerability is compounded by rising food poverty. To address these issues, the Cork Food Policy Council (CFPC) has conducted an extensive public consultation to inform the development of a food policy for Cork.

Methods

The consultation included over 400 individual participants, with representation from citizens, community groups, HSE, City Council, food growers and producers, food businesses, retail, and farmers. Engagement methods included 25 workshops and focus groups, 4 world café sessions, a youth forum, a semi-quantitative questionnaire (N = 120), semi-structured interviews with food growers and business owners, and 19 substantive online submissions

Results

The consultation revealed a desire for a system that is local, accessible, and skill-based. Actions were identified under five core goals: Nourishing Food for All, a Sustainable Food System, a Thriving Local Economy, Resilient Community-Centred Environments, and Lifelong Learning. Key challenges identified include the dominance of fast-food outlets, poor transport links to supermarkets, intergenerational loss of food knowledge and skill and critical barriers for producers such as land access.

Discussion/Conclusions

The strategy advocates for a shift from calorie security to nutritional resilience. This work has highlighted that food policy is economic development and urban planning policy, requiring coordinated implementation and sustained investment to move from vision to delivery.

Key messages

• Food policy is economic development and urban planning policy, requiring coordinated implementation and sustained investment to move from vision to delivery.

• A healthy, sustainable food system means everyone can access nutritious, affordable food, while citizens help shape solutions for Cork’s future.