The aim of this project is to better understand our local food system and how it shapes our opportunity to access nutritious, affordable food. We also want to find ways that our food system can make it easier for all Islanders to eat well.
The goals of the project are to:
1. Create a comprehensive food systems map for Guernsey and raise awareness of its role in shaping what we eat and our health.
2. Identify ways that the food system could be changed to make it easier to eat well.
3. Engage people, organisations and groups who play a role in our food system and stimulate collaborations needed to change it.
4. Enhance our existing "Eat Well" actions and identify new opportunities. The project will also inform the rewrite of the States Healthier Weight Strategy in 2026 and inform Public Health policy priorities.
To date the project has included
· Focus Groups with the public: The first step of the project involved focus groups with 31 members of the public to find out their experiences of what makes it easy and difficult to eat healthily in Guernsey, as well as their ideas for change. Results are available in the Resources section.
· Stakeholder Engagement: We have engaged with around 70 individuals and organisations from different sectors of our food system before and after the March 2024 workshop to ensure we captured the breadth of our food system.
· Mapping Workshops: We conducted two workshops—one in March 2024 (more info here) to initiate the mapping process with over 30 stakeholders, and a second in December 2024 to review and refine the first draft of the food system map.
· Working with Experts: Throughout the project we have collaborated with specialists in food system mapping from The University of Cambridge Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR). They facilitated both workshops, developed drafts of the food system map, analysed the system, and identified key ‘levers of change’ – areas that could help make our food system healthier.
The complete food system map for Guernsey is available HERE
It’s important to note that the map may change as we continue to work on it and as our food system evolves. It does not include every single factor (e.g., our genetics), or all of the details it could in each area. This is so we could capture enough detail whilst keeping the system clear. There are systems within systems, which could be looked at in the future.
We’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to this project so far.
What’s coming up
· Meeting the public: We will be at the West and North Shows and Seafront Sunday on the 14th September to discuss the local food system map with the community. Come and say hi and tell us how you experience our food system – your input may shape the map further!
· Continue engagement with stakeholders: We plan to meet other people and organisations who play a role in our food system and keep the conversation moving along.
· Identify new projects: CEDAR have developed a long list of initiatives that could be implemented at different points in our food system with the aim of improving our diets. We will work alongside others in the food system to look at how these could be implemented.