Community Forum Helps Shape Future UK Food Policy – With Bridlington at the Heart

A major new research paper has just been published exploring how local communities view the role of government in shaping a healthier and more sustainable food system – and Bridlington is one of only two places in the UK where these important conversations took place.

The study, Public support for food subsidy and tax scenarios to promote healthy and sustainable diets, was produced by researchers from the University of Oxford as part of the COPPER project. It uses “deliberative forums” – in-depth, evidence-based discussions with members of the public – to understand how people feel about potential government actions such as taxes on unhealthy foods or subsidies to make nutritious, low-carbon options more affordable.

In October 2023, one of these forums was hosted right here in Bridlington at the Bridlington Community Hub, a project of Community VISION. Over two days, local residents came together to discuss a pressing question: What policies should the UK Government introduce to make healthy, sustainable food more accessible and affordable for everyone?

The Bridlington participants shared thoughtful, wide-ranging views on the cost of food, public health, the environment, and fairness. They also explored how policies might be implemented and how the public and industry could respond. One of the most popular ideas was a population-wide subsidy for healthy foods, alongside support for taxes on products high in fat, sugar or salt. Participants even proposed a brand-new policy: subsidising locally produced food to support both health and the local economy.

This work forms part of a growing national conversation about how to tackle diet-related ill-health and the climate impact of our food system. As highlighted in a recent Oxford University blog post, bringing these discussions into communities like Bridlington – where lived experience and local knowledge are central – is vital to creating policies that are fair, practical, and effective.

Community VISION is proud to have hosted this important event and to see Bridlington residents’ voices helping to shape the future of UK food policy. The full paper is now available online, and we hope it sparks further discussion across our community about how we can all play a part in building a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable food system.

Read the paper here: COPPER deliberative forum paper.