Friday June 26th 2026
Inverclyde Council headquarters
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
A plan to increase participation in food-related activities across Inverclyde has been agreed by members of the Alliance Board.
The Community Food Strategy (2026-31) builds on the previous three-year plan and sets out the overarching vision for food-related activity across Inverclyde.
The Community Food Strategy (2026–31) has been developed by the Food Strategy Group, with support from Inclusive Communities, building on the previous three-year plan and setting out the overarching vision for food-related activity across Inverclyde.
The previous 2023-26 strategy focused on increasing opportunities for communities in Inverclyde to grow their own food.
It had many successes including: training people in community cooking; establishing the Food Network Strategy Group; an eight-week gardening course at Branchton Community Centre; regular growing, harvesting and cooking activities across 13 Early Learning centres; expansion of growing spaces through partnerships including the Walled Gardens in Gourock and the Larkfield Centre; grants via the Invergrow Fund; expansion of Inverclyde’s first seed library; and establishing community fridges.
The new strategy has three priorities which go beyond food growing and aim to address the wider needs in communities including improving nutrition, reducing food surplus and waste, and ensuring fair access to good food for all.
The priorities are:
– to embed lifelong food education
– expand inclusive access to growing spaces
– to champion food waste reduction and surplus redistribution.
The next steps are to develop a detailed action plan, ensure the Food Strategy Group has representation from key sectors, encourage engagement from the community, and to secure resources and partnerships.
Councillor Elizabeth Robertson, chair of the Alliance Board, said: “We have achieved so much across Inverclyde in just a few years and many of these projects are well established.
“Just last year the Inverclyde Community Food Network became an established charity which is a great achievement and important development as it opens up more funding opportunities.
“It is clear that a lot of work has gone into educating people of all ages about the important of growing your own food and this new plan builds on that.
“I look forward to seeing this strategy grow and develop over the next five years.”
Inverclyde Alliance is the local Community Planning Partnership which brings together representatives from a wide range of public and third-sector organisations including NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Inverclyde Council, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Police Scotland and West College Scotland.
Papers for the Inverclyde Alliance Board are available here: Inverclyde Alliance Board Meeting 15 June 2026 – Inverclyde Council
Tweet Share on Facebook
