Local Good Food Alliance works across Dunbar, East Linton and surrounding villages to help shape a food system that is better for the planet, better for people and better for producers.
East Lothian has some of the best agricultural land in Scotland, so producing food for markets beyond the county will always be important. But we believe it is possible to grow and process a much wider variety of crops for more local markets, in ways that create more good jobs, benefit wildlife and restore natural systems.
The Tyninghame Organic Orchard and St Baldred's Smallholding supplies produce to local retailers.
Good quality food is essential to health and wellbeing, but many people don't eat well and suffer as a result. We believe it is possible to overcome the many real and perceived barriers to eating well, such as lack of interest, skills, confidence, time and money. People of all ages will be healthier and happier, and the positive changes will spread across generations.
Friendly, free, three course meals open to all at the Hungry Hatch - using local produce and food that would otherwise go to waste
Food has become increasingly processed, commodified and transported ever longer distances. Many people want to re-connect with food – how and where it's grown, prepared and cooked, and by whom. Some simply want to be able to buy good quality local food, other want to grow their own vegetables or set up horticultural or food projects and enterprises.
The Ridge offers a wide range of training in traditional skills, volunteering opportunities and more, with a special emphasis on developing services in response to the needs of people facing difficulties.
Growing, cooking and enjoying good food has for too long been seen as a middle class interest. We know from direct experience that this is simply not true. It is however a fact that cost, access and other barriers exclude many people. We are committed to engaging and involving people from all walks of life across the community.
Youth group at Belhaven Community Garden
The Alliance brings together growers, community groups, businesses and passionate individuals who are involved with, and concerned about, all aspects of growing, distributing, cooking and consuming healthy, sustainable and local food – including education and tackling food poverty.
Members include growers and fishermen, food producers and retailers, food banks and community kitchens, social enterprises and voluntary groups. Many are long established and others are more recent or just starting out. See table below - not a complete list.
The alliance is convened by Sustaining Dunbar, the Community Development Trust, and supported by the Dunbar and East Linton Area Partnership. We work closely with the East Lothian Food Network.
<aside> 🥬 To join the Local Good Food Alliance apply here…
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Traditionally food-related initiatives have typically addressed discrete strands, such as: