British cities are often home to the most deprived communities in the country, and in Britain, deprivation brings higher levels of childhood obesity, growth issues, and a cluster of other public health challenges. For example, mental illnesses are linked to uncertainty in securing enough food to eat. Beyond deprived areas, most Brits are overweight or obese, and the rates of type two diabetes are climbing exponentially.
Birmingham City Council signed the MUFPP in 2015 and secured the political commitment for the development of a healthier and more sustainable food policy. Four years later, the council recruited a ‘Food Policy Team’ and hosted a Food Conversation which aimed to feed into the national food strategy.
In Food Trails, Birmingham aimed to increase opportunities for citizens to access healthier, sustainable and affordable food by creating new business models. The Birmingham Living Lab was structured around three main actions focusing on reducing food waste, creating sustainable food businesses and developing nutritional knowledge and skills.
In 2022, thanks to Food Trails, the city launched its local Food Strategy to create a bold, healthy, fair, and sustainable food system and a prosperous local food economy where food choices are nutritious, affordable and desirable so locals thrive and can achieve their potential for a happy, healthy life.
Pilot 1 – Urban Agriculture. Feasibility of sustainable food growing through urban regeneration
This pilot aimed to create more efficient supply chains in Birmingham by reducing the distance between producers and consumers, establishing the city as a hub for local and ethically produced food. A Proof-of-Concept study was conducted to assess the viability of setting up a rooftop garden on a multi-story car park in the city center. The study tested the business model and production methods of the new growing hub and guided decision-making processes.
Pilot 2 – Community Composting. Community-led food waste separation and composting initiatives
A food waste pilot initiative aimed at encouraging households of the Ladywood area of Birmingham to separate food waste from general waste and convert it into compost. The compost produced was used either for home gardening or collected for local use. This pilot was implemented across various household types, including high-rise flats, houses with gardens, and houses with yards, to evaluate its effectiveness in different settings.
Pilot 3 – Protein Transition. Increasing legume consumption among youth through holiday activities and engaging booklets
This “Protein Transition” pilot aimed to increase legume consumption among youth through engaging holiday activities and educational booklets. Part of Birmingham’s “Full of Beans – Imagine the Pulseabilities” campaign, the pilot promoted beans and pulses in schools, with families, and in food businesses, encouraging healthier eating habits among the city’s youth.
Living Lab Numbers
160
Households involved in the food waste pilot
7,000
Children attending 70 holiday activities and food
programme clubs during the summer
Birmingham Food Policy is available in the report Official Municipal Acts for Urban Food Policy Approval.
The description of the city’s living labs is available in all the project languages in the Food Trails Final Publication. Go to the resource!
