2025 had been an exciting year for the food partnerships in Sussex. Following on from the Local Food Plan development in the year, we have forged ahead with joint actions and with how we can work together to put food high on the agenda, not only now but also during the transition period of local government reorganisation and for the new Mayor and authorities.
On 8 October 2025 we joined together to create a conference “A New Sussex Mayor- putting food in the middle of the table.”
Knowing that the Mayor will be responsible for skills and employment, the environment, public health and reducing inequalities, we asked:
- What if the Mayor looked at these challenges and opportunities through the lens of food?
- Is local food the way to achieve sustainable development and investment for the region?
- Is food the special ingredient in creating our shared identity?
We brought together 60+ people from across East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove to look at the work that has been done, our aspirations and introduce the idea of a Sussex Food Board.
Following an introduction by Vic Borrill, CEO of Brighton & Hove Food Partnership, we had a short video from Richard Freeman at Always Possible about what was known at the time about devolution.
Regi Miesle of Arun & Chichester Food Partnership put the Alliance into context. With the shared aim to provide an efficient and effective way to communicate regarding our shared aspirations and goals with the emerging unitary and mayoral authorities, the 9 Sustainable Food Partnerships-model food partnerships have joined with representatives from Horsham Matters, Crawley Borough Council and Horsham District Council to create the partnership and work towards a better food future for the Sussex region. We want to influence the local government devolution agenda to ensure that a whole food system approach is a high and early priority of the new authorities, achieving a place where everyone has access to enough good food now and in the future.
We are developing a shared vision for Sussex – a future where:
- Everyone has access to enough affordable, healthy and sustainable food
- More of our region’s diet is produced in Sussex
- Regenerative farming is the norm
- Residents are active participants in a thriving local food culture
- The region benefits from an expanded local food economy
Workshops explored the key opportunities related to the Mayor’s priorities:
- Food production: protecting local food infrastructure, developing supply chain resilience, encouraging environmentally-friendly farming practices
- Celebrating and strengthening our unique regional food heritage and culture
- Reducing inequalities and ending mass dependence on emergency food parcels
- Improving health outcomes through nutritious diets
The information and ideas gathered in these are being used for the next stage of development for the Alliance.
Debbie Smith of Adur & Worthing Food Partnership then challenged us to strategic action, acknowledging the fragile, unequal, unsustainable and broken current food system and the drivers at national level working towards a national food policy.
Debbie led the call for three concrete developments:
- Strategic policies at every level. National, regional and local food plans – to unlock health, economy, climate and community outcomes.
- Development of the role of the Sussex Alliance of Food Partnerships. We bring evidence, knowledge and community reach to ensure food is central to decision-making.
- Exploring a Sussex Food Board. A regional body could coordinate stakeholders, keep food on the agenda and strengthen strategy and investment.
Although the reorganisation timeframe has changed, we will continue to work together to move this agenda forward and strengthen the voices of the people and organisations who want to see these changes for a stronger, more resilient and more environmentally-friendly local food system.
Accordingly, in 2026 we plan to work towards a more structured organisation to coordinate the Alliance’s work, alongside a small group to lead on a website and social media to enable us to strengthen our presence and communication. In the meantime, please do follow your local food partnership and watch out for more news about the Alliance.
