Forth Valley Food Links

History

Forth Valley Food Links (FVFL) originated as part of the Soil Association’s sustainable local food economy programme, which aimed to link individuals and communities from the Forth Valley with food producers to increase access to local produce and ensure long term health, social and environmental wellbeing.

Initially set up in 1999 as Forth Valley Food Futures, its aim was to set up a sustainable local food economy which would incorporate sustainable local production, distribution, processing, purchasing and disposal of foods.

The overarching principles of the entire programme were to be:

• Building on what already exists in a complementary, non-competitive way
• Community involvement and empowerment
• Genuine participation
• Strengthened partnerships

Forth Valley Food Links came into being as a Company Limited by Guarantee with Charitable Status in 2002, growing organically from Food Futures, and it has taken these principles forward. Its mission statement was, "Linking individuals and communities in partnership with food producers to increase access to fresh local produce enabling long term social, health, environmental and economic benefits. Local food for local people".

At the end of July 2008, Forth Valley Food Links merged with Forth Environment Link, and became a local food project within FEL's projects portfolio. FVFL continues to deliver the original 6 key objectives.

• To raise awareness of the health, environmental, economic and social benefits of a strong local food sector and strengthen motivation for change among producers and consumers
• To contribute to improving local diet and general health, by encouraging use of fresh, local vegetables and fruit throughout the community
• To promote environmentally and socially responsible food production practices and increase biodiversity by increasing the diversity of food produced in the area and the number of varieties of each product
• To encourage community interest and action in local food production by working in partnership with food producers, forging links between communities and producers
• To increase access to, purchase and use of fresh, seasonal, local produce and reduce food transport miles and packaging through a simplified distribution network
• To create employment opportunities in the local food sector by encouraging direct marketing and entrepreneurship and retain money in the local economy

Area of operation & location

FVFL's work covers the three Unitary Authority areas of Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling. We are located in Stirling (Multimap link) at 7, Stirling Business Centre, Wellgreen Place, Stirling, FK8 2DZ.

Supporters

FVFL is supported by NHS Forth Valley.