The Hubb Foundation is proud to announce that our very own Tom Beecham, Operations Manager, has joined the steering group of the Stoke-on-Trent Food Partnership.
This role places Tom as part of a dynamic team dedicated to reshaping our local food landscape towards a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable future.
Collaborative Efforts for Community Wellbeing
Tom joins a diverse group of leaders from the statutory, VCSE, and private sectors, all united under the banner of the Food Partnership.
This partnership is spearheaded by key local organisations including the YMCA North Staffordshire and VAST. It’s a collective mission to drive forward an initiative that supports the health, wellbeing, and prosperity of our communities through improved food availability, affordability, and sustainability.
Tom expressed his enthusiasm about his new role, saying, “Joining the Food Partnership’s steering group is a tremendous opportunity to contribute directly to our community’s nutrition and health. Many organisations in Stoke-on-Trent are involved in food-related projects, from food banks and meal provision to cooking skills, healthy eating, community food growing, and tackling food waste. Good food is vital to people’s lives. The Stoke-on-Trent Food Partnership believes everyone should have access to healthy, affordable food that benefits the environment and local economy. We see good food as part of the solution to our city’s social, economic, and environmental challenges. The Food Partnership supports strategy, policy, and collaboration across sectors. I am excited to bring The Hubb Foundation’s perspective to this vital work, ensuring every initiative truly helps those in need.”
Strategic Priorities Set by the Partnership
The Food Partnership has clearly outlined its three main priorities:
✔️ Ensuring Food Availability – Making healthy food accessible to all segments of the community.
✔️ Enhancing Food Affordability – Making sure that healthy food is financially accessible to everyone, especially those hit hardest by economic challenges.
✔️ Advancing Food Sustainability – Promoting practices that support long-term ecological balance in our food supply.
The partnership has received robust support from local leaders. Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough, cabinet member for education and anti-poverty, emphasised the importance of collaborative work to tackle the ongoing challenges posed by the cost-of-living crisis. And Daniel Flynn, CEO of YMCA North Staffordshire, also highlighted the critical role of good food in addressing the city’s most pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges.
With regular meetings scheduled throughout 2025, the steering group, alongside newly elected co-chairs Cris Cohen of Feasted and Sarah Sambrook’s of Alice Charity, are gearing up for an impactful year. They are committed to driving forward the partnership’s work on tackling key issues affecting our food system.
Join the Movement
We encourage everyone in the community to keep an eye on upcoming Food Partnership meetings for opportunities to engage with and support the Food Partnership’s initiatives.
Your participation is crucial as we endeavour to cultivate a sustainable food environment that supports the wellbeing of all our residents – to find out more, click here or email support@vast.org.uk.
Featured post image: Food Partnership Stoke-on-Trent Logo [source: vast.org.uk]
