Middlesbrough Becomes First Town in the North to Win Prestigious Sustainable Food Places Gold Award
Middlesbrough has made history by becoming the first town in the north of England and one of only five places across the UK to be awarded the prestigious Sustainable Food Places (SFP) Gold Award. This achievement is a testament to the town’s outstanding efforts in transforming its local food system, led by the Middlesbrough Food Partnership.
The SFP Gold Award recognises exceptional work in creating sustainable, healthy, and accessible food systems that benefit both people and the environment. The award celebrates Middlesbrough’s ability to foster strong connections between strategic planning and grassroots action, driving significant positive changes in the way food is produced, distributed, and accessed.
Photo: Members of Middlesbrough Food Partnership (Credit: Phil Russell)
A key factor in this success has been the dedication of the Middlesbrough Food Partnership, whose tireless efforts have turned ambition into reality. Our work has been recognised for deftly balancing a strong strategic approach with genuine grassroots support, demonstrating how sustainability and food access can work hand in hand. The partnership has also forged meaningful collaborations with academia, research funding, and public health, further strengthening their impact.
“Partnership working across all sectors is how we can help can make a healthier and more sustainable food environment accessible for communities in our area. This award acknowledges our working together across multiple sectors to enhance the local food offer. We look forward to working together to address the need to create healthier and sustainable food for our communities in Middlesbrough” – Amelia Lake, Professor of Public Health Nutrition at Teesside University and Associate Director of Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health.
This accolade places Middlesbrough at the forefront of food sustainability, joining only four other places in the UK to be recognised with Gold status. It highlights the town’s commitment to tackling food insecurity, promoting healthy eating, and supporting local food producers, setting an inspiring example for other towns and cities across the country.
Cllr Peter Gavigan, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Environment and Sustainability, congratulated everyone involved in the partnership.
He said: “So much hard work has gone into this achievement and it’s fantastic for our town to be recognised in this way. I’ve seen the positive impact that organisations like FareShare North East, Middlesbrough Environment City and the network of Eco Shops have around the town. This work is so important.”
The next steps for Middlesbrough will be to celebrate and engage the community in this remarkable achievement.
