Who’s around the table? How Bristol Good Food 2030 works and how to get involved   

At Bristol Food Network, we coordinate Bristol Good Food 2030, the city’s shared plan for better food for communities, climate and nature, a food system that’s fairer, healthier and more sustainable. When we asked our partners for feedback this year, one of their suggestions was simple: tell us more about how the Bristol Good Food 2030 Partnership actually works. Which Working Group does what? Who decides? And how do you get involved?  

With this feedback in mind, we’ve pulled together a simple guide to who’s around which table and an invitation to pull up a chair. 

The big picture  

Bristol Good Food 2030 belongs to everyone who takes part. A Steering Group sets the direction and five Working Groups turn that plan into action. Running through all of it is Food Justice, making sure everyone in Bristol can access good food. Feeding Bristol coordinates this work. 

The Steering Group 

The Steering Group keeps the partnership on course. It sets direction, checks progress against our Action Plans and helps us hold each other to our shared commitments. We report on how it’s all going in our annual Progress Report. Members include Bristol City Council (Public Health and Communities, Sustainable Cities, and Procurement), Bristol Food Network, Feeding Bristol and the One City Office. We’re also bringing in representatives from each Working Group, so the people doing the work guide how it is delivered. 

The five Working Groups 

This is where most of the action happens. Each group brings together community groups, businesses, charities, universities, and the public sector to deliver one part of the plan. 

• Eating Better: helping people of all ages cook, eat well and share more 

• Local Food Economy: Food Economy, Access & Opportunity – supporting better jobs, better food, better economy 

• Local Food Economy: Procurement – getting more local, sustainable food onto plates 

• Urban Growing: more people growing more good food in and around city 

• Food Waste: reducing food waste, redistributing and recycling surplus food 

Last year, 129 people from 58 organisations took part in co-creating the Action Plans, from grassroots groups and city farms to NHS trusts, universities and local businesses. You can see the full list in the 2025 Progress Report (page 9). 

What about Food Justice? 

Food Justice is one of the six Bristol Good Food 2030 themes, but it works a little differently. Instead of a single Working Group, there are three ways to get involved [coordinated by Feeding Bristol]: 

• Food Equality Steering Group: guides work to make sure everyone in Bristol can access good food and oversees Bristol’s Food Equality Strategy and Action Plan (FESAP). This group is likely to be looking for new members in the coming months. 

• Community Food Justice Network: a growing network for anyone working in the food support space, with regular gatherings and updates. 

• Food Resilience Workshops: a workshop series held every two months as part of the Community Food Justice Network, again open to anyone working in food support. 

Book a space at one of the upcoming workshops.   

Does it make a difference? 

Working Groups are where our city-wide action plans turn into action: in 2025, over 80% of the actions due were completed or under way. Just as importantly, they connect people who might not otherwise meet. That sparks new partnerships, shares funding opportunities and gets new projects off the ground.  

Two recent examples: Through the Food Economy, Access & Opportunity Working Group, the Food Talent Pathway met local hospitality businesses. That led to a partnership with Five Acre Farm and a young care leaver’s work experience turned into a permanent job. An introduction through the Urban Growing Working Group led the West of England Combined Authority to fund new training for growers in Bristol. Meanwhile, Working Group membership grew from 37 people in 2023 to 129 in 2025. 

What’s in it for you? 

• Have a real say in shaping Bristol’s food Action Plans and create real difference to our local food system 

• Meet people tackling the same issues across the city, from grassroots groups to large organisations 

• Hear about funding, events and opportunities early and connect with partners for joint bids 

• Raise the profile of your work through Bristol Good Food 2030 channels and events 

We need more voices 

Taking part is easy, you can join online, come along to a single meeting to see what it’s like, or share your views by email or a quick call. Strengthening inclusion is a priority for the Partnership and we’re always looking for ways to do more. 

You don’t need a fancy job title or expert knowledge to join. If you grow, cook, sell, serve, share or simply care about food in Bristol, your experience counts.  

Get involved 

It’s a light commitment: groups currently meet two or three times a year, for 60 to 90 minutes.  

Visit bristolgoodfood.org/join-in or email hello@bristolgoodfood.org and tell us which group interests you. Not sure which one fits? Get in touch anyway and we’ll help you find your place. 

To stay updated on future events, job opportunities and news, don’t forget to sign up for the Bristol Good Food Update at bristolgoodfood.org/newsletter.