reflections

When we first came together having done our initial research, we found a common theme - that there is a lot going on in the realm of sustainable food, but that information isn't always easy to access. We were all quite excited at the idea of mapping local projects / organisations / businesses, in order to allow an easier exchange of information.

Upon reflection though I felt that maybe we needed to go back to first principles. What, for example, do we mean when we say 'sustainable food'? Is it - as outlined by the Fife Diet - when we eat more local and organic food, less meat, waste less and compost more? And what exactly would mapping Dundee's sustainable food network achieve? Who is it for? Why would we bother?

My thoughts are that it could help to:

1. raise awareness

2. increase local knowledge

3. encourage buying food from independent businesses rather than supermarkets

4. reduce food miles

5. connect people with the food they eat.

...but would it? It wouldn’t be particularly difficult to find out all the green food stuff and map it, but where does co-design fit in? Should we start by finding out what would help Dundonians to eat in a more sustainable way? Talking to the people who aren't engaged with this issue - about their food purchases and what stops them from buying local / organic / less packaging… is it cost / transport / lack of interest?

My feeling is that the map could be a way of raising awareness / initiating discussion, rather than an end point - a way of highlighting what the issues are for local people - what is working and what is missing.