If Dorset was cut off from the rest of the country, could we feed ourselves? It’s a question prompting increasing discussion across the county.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the problems facing the world. Climate change, rising food prices, pressure on public services and the loss of nature can leave us wondering whether anything we do locally can really make a difference.
But over the past few months, we have been reminded that some of the best ideas don’t start in Westminster or Whitehall – they start in village halls, on farms, around kitchen tables and in conversations between people who care about where they live.
We have been speaking with farmers, growers, food businesses, community groups and local residents about the
future of Dorset’s food system.
Those conversations have been encouraging. One thing has become clear: Dorset is not short of imagination or commitment. People want to buy more local food, reduce waste, support local producers, restore nature and make healthy food easier to access.
Finding a better way
Food sits at the heart of so much. It connects our health, our environment, our economy and our communities, making it one of the most powerful ways to create positive change across Dorset.
That’s why we are exploring a bid to the National Lottery Climate Action Fund. The fund supports ambitious community partnerships that tackle climate change while delivering practical environmental, social and economic benefits. Rather than dozens of separate projects working in isolation, we are looking for a handful of bold ideas that could make a real difference across Dorset.
They might involve food production, education, reducing waste, improving access to healthy food, supporting local farmers or helping communities become more resilient. The important thing is that they bring people together and create lasting change.
We are still at an early stage, which means local people can genuinely help shape what this bid becomes. Perhaps you have been developing an idea for years. Perhaps you have seen something working elsewhere that Dorset could learn from. Or perhaps you have simply looked at the way food is produced, sold or shared and thought: ’There must be a better way.’
If so, we’d like to hear from you.
Not every idea will become part of the final programme, but every conversation helps us understand where the greatest opportunities lie. Often, the biggest projects begin by connecting people who discover they are trying to solve the same problem. If we can harness that knowledge and enthusiasm, Dorset has the chance to build a food system that is healthier, more resilient and better prepared for the future.
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