FoodSEqual Plymouth
FoodSEqual Plymouth
a collaboration for local food system change
FoodSEqual Plymouth is about collaboratively improving access to food that is healthy, affordable and sustainable for people in Plymouth. It puts the community at the heart of the project so that local people can lead change and supports connections between communities and the organisations that supply their food.
Over the past four years, we have worked together to achieve some incredible and impactful local food system innovations in Plymouth:
1. We have a fully trained team of six Community Food Researchers, based in Whitleigh, who have supported all our research processes.
2. We successfully piloted a fruit and vegetable voucher scheme to improve access to healthy food in Whitleigh.
3. We co-designed The Plymouth Fish Finger (www.plymouth. ac.uk/research/plymouth-fishfinger).
4. We championed the use of creative participatory methods to engage with many individuals and groups across the food system so that their voices could be heard.
This portrait project, by Fotonow, is a celebration of the powerful collaboration we have formed as a result of FoodSEqual Plymouth. It captures some extraordinary individuals - players from across
the food system in and around Plymouth - all of whom have played a vital role in our project.
FoodSEqual has delivered more than the sum of its parts, owing to the collaborative spirit and engagement of all interested parties.
Our collective efforts have built strong foundations on which community-led food system change can truly happen in Plymouth (and beyond).
By working in this collaborative way, we believe that more people can have fairer access to healthy, affordable, and sustainable food in their local area.
Clare Pettinger
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: Associate Professor at University of Plymouth - leading, supporting and nurturing the Plymouth FoodSEqual team.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: connections and a newfound love of all things ‘blue food system’.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought my organisation (University of Plymouth): credibility as an exemplar of ‘good action research practice’ for real world impact: community facing research; authentic collaboration with cross-sector stakeholders; creative & participatory methods (co-production); public engagement.
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: FoodSEqual provides solid foundations to build more community-centred food system change projects (involving Food Plymouth’s own Community Food Researchers). The potential to replicate our work in other areas for impact.
Louise Hunt
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: Research Fellow at University of Plymouth, working with Community Food Researchers (CFRs), the community co-ordinator, industry partners, the Plymouth Lead and other academics.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: a fantastic opportunity to be part of genuinely collaborative research, using creative participatory methods. I have really enjoyed getting stuck in!
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: that our Community Food Researchers (CFRs) continue to shape future action research around food; that the strong collaborations with industry and third sector built through the project endure
Lisa Howard
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: based within Food Plymouth CIC, to support new Community Food Researchers (CFR) through skills development, remuneration and opportunities for shared learning. I was part of the delivery team for Fresh Street Community.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: a deeper understanding of how local food challenges are connected to and influenced by wider systems. Being involved in the work of collaboration and creativity to harness local knowledge, build capacity and desire for change, has been an important learning journey for me.
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: people in all parts of Plymouth can choose fresh, healthy, and affordable food near to where they live.
Ian Smith
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: Community Research Manager & Food Plymouth link person.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: activities and actions supporting Food Plymouth’s journey towards the Sustainable Food Places (SFP) gold award including a potential living legacy of Community Food Researchers.
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: Food Plymouth achieving the Sustainable Food Places Gold award (by December 2026); the FoodSEqual Plymouth Fish Finger being a mainstream commercial success (while remaining true to its community origins); the Community Food Researchers becoming an established and sustainable entity.
Jiang Pan
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: Research Fellow at University of Plymouth, focusing on identifying the enablers and barriers that influence the uptake of the Fresh Street Community voucher scheme (in Plymouth & Reading).
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: a great opportunity to access and shape research that directly reflects their needs. It has strengthened relationships between researchers, local organisations, and residents, creating a space for collaboration.
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: to see a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable local food system where everyone has equal access to affordable and healthy food.
Bramble Gardiner
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: PhD Student, following the experiences of the Community Food Researchers and thinking about the wider implications of using such methods.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: a lot of deep learning about how co-production and participation methods work. I have met a lot of new people and found out about great work being done in Plymouth that I didn’t know about before.
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: this is a big question... but this project has brought a helpful start to my career in academia through the large network created through the TUKFS programme which FoodSEqual is part of.
Naomi Shaw
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: Research Assistant at University of Plymouth, I’ve been part of two ‘Synergy Projects’ exploring how co-production and other collaborative approaches have been put into practice by FoodSEqual Plymouth and across the Transforming UK Food Systems (TUKFS) research programme.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: into contact with so many new ideas, people and ways of thinking that I’ll carry forward into whatever comes next!
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: it has been amazing to see all the hard work by the Community Food Researchers and research team lead to some exciting initiatives by the collaborators, especially the Community Food Researchers, the Plymouth Fish Finger and Fresh Street market.
Paridhi Garg
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: Research Assistant. I contributed to different strands - the Fish Finger project, biomarkers and the Fresh Street Community intervention. FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: the chance to grow both as a researcher and as a person. It gave me the experience of working closely with communities, learning how to co-create solutions, and seeing the impact of research outside the university walls.
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: that the city becomes a place where everyone has access to fresh, affordable, and nutritious food. I hope to see a culture where communities are empowered to shape their food environment - creating a future that supports both people’s health and planetary health.
Laura Dunn
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: Community Food Researcher. Part of the Plymouth Fish finger project.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: confidence, new skills like data collection and used my existing creative skills for blogs and poster design, new friends
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: better access to affordable food for everyone and that we might be able to continue working together to make this happen.
Star Drew
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: Community Food Researcher. Helping to do research, make tea and coffee, explain the project to participants, making sure we are all on the same page, look after one another.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: knowledge about fruit and vegetables and fish, fish names and types. Engaging with other people through FoodSEqual, we’re more like a family, I’ve got to know people I didn’t know before.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought my community: the chance for more people to understand about food and for more people to meet that wouldn’t have met before.
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: I’d like to see the Plymouth fish finger in schools. Be nice to see the veg van coming around, that more people understand about what there is to eat.
Julia Beggs
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: Community Food Researcher and Community Health Champion for Fresh Street, where one of my role was to share stories from our research. The team put together a presentation about the findings of the Fresh Street project. It gave me great pleasure to share this with the community and other audiences, such as Public Health Plymouth.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: it has helped me meet new people from my local community.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought my community: enabled me to use my creative skills to make visual representations to illustrate our research.
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: it would be great if the community market could continue.
Yve Ashton
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: Community Food Researcher and Fresh Street where I have been part of a great team listening to the local community and delivering fresh fruit and vegetables, creating engaging activities and developing relationships between participants and our data translators.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: experience, input to the voice of change.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought my community: opportunities to be heard, fresh fruit and vegetables, hope for change.
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: access to better food in each locality, provision for our most vulnerable - such as pre-packed healthy options and education and resources to cook ‘proper’ food all across the city.
Joanne Hart
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: Community Food Researcher. I worked on Fresh Street where I really enjoyed greeting and chatting to the participants. I’m also known as the “Market fruit and veg lady”!
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: confidence to talk to people and more knowledge about fruit and vegetables
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought my community: new skills, stronger.
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: for the community market to continue selling fruit and vegetables, people like it and it’s making them healthier.
Joanna Ruminska
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: Community Food Researcher, involved in Fresh Street as a Community Health Champion. I have contributed to FoodSEqual academic papers, and I help connect the community allotment I run with the project.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: a link between the community and academic project.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought my organisation: a voice about food systems issues.
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: that everyone, no matter what their financial situation has access to good quality food.
Tony Spreadborough
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: dedicated collaborator with the FoodSEqual team from the very start of Fresh Street project. My role with Tamar Fresh Ltd ensured project’s goals were translated into tangible, community-level success, working alongside a talented and committed team.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: profound professional and personal satisfaction! It’s rewarding to work in the local community, sharing knowledge and sparking conversations about the value of local, seasonal fruit and vegetables
FoodSEqual Plymouth a powerful catalyst to bring local businesses and communities together. It has highlighted how vital it is for businesses to forge collaborative, supportive relationships to build a resilient local food system.
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: for FoodSEqual to thrive and become a permanent fixture in Plymouth’s foodscape. The next step is establishing deeper, strategic partnerships with the wider business sector to secure the long-term investment needed to build a robust, sustainable model for the future.
Justin Yeates
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: I purchase all the fruit & vegetables at Tamar Fresh for the regular (Whitleigh) Market, working with Lisa to promote as much seasonal and local produce available.
David Barrett
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: sharing Tamar Fresh Ltd insight from the food supply sector, helping connect local producers with communities and ensuring that fresh, healthy, produce is made more accessible to those who need it most.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: a greater understanding of the challenges families face around food access and affordability. It has also strengthened relationships with local partners, opened up opportunities for collaboration and allowed Tamar Fresh to play a meaningful role in tackling food inequality.
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: I hope to see a future where good quality, nutritious food is affordable and available to everyone in Plymouth, regardless of background. My aspiration is to build stronger links between local growers, suppliers, and communities so that we reduce food insecurity, support local farmers and create a fairer more sustainable food system for generations to come.
Caroline Bennett
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: as founder of Sole of Discretion I’ve worked on the Plymouth Fish Finger. Purchasing the fish from low-impact, small-scale inshore boats, paying a fair price for the fish received, taking the time to process under-utilised species that hitherto may have gone back dead into the sea or be used in bio-fuel, co-create the fishfinger to include understanding the limitations of small-scale hand production to produce a uniform, oven-ready product for schools.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: energy and enthusiasm for working on solutions to challenges, without the team effort the challenges would go unsolved!
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: to create meaningful employment in the creation of a nutritious food from fish caught by lowimpact boats and link the bounty of those low impact fishers to school children in Plymouth to appreciate and understand the entire food chain and their role in it, and ultimately, enjoy!
Ed Baker
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: as CEO Plymouth Fishing & Seafood Association been making connections with the fishing industry, visiting schools to explain about local fisheries and demonstrating how to make a fishfinger at home.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: a deeper understanding of food systems and some fantastic people to work with.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought my organisation: closer to the local community.
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: to see increased access to affordable sustainable fish for the local population.
Phil Robbins
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: I am a local independent small boat fisher providing the fish for the fish finger.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: the fish finger thing is really really good & that’s when I met Caroline [Sole of Discretion] …it always bothered me that fishers throw fish away & that there is low value fish.
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: I like the idea that it [low value fish] will go for human consumption. I’m impressed that anyone cares about fish, because people don’t. As a fisherman, it’s anything I can do to promote fishing, I’m passionate about it…
Sir John Hunt Sport & Community College
Finlay Jones, Sarah Stockton & Linnea-Mae Pope
Finlay - my role has been: student working on a mix of everything like the frying and the taste testing of the fish finger [co-design of fish finger].
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: different fish I have never heard of.
My best memory in the project: when the team brought in all of the big fish.
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: that our fish finger can be shared across all schools in the UK.
Linnea-Mae Pope - my role has been: student working on the recording, the picking of fish, the testing of the breadcrumbs and cooking and tasting.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: the confidence to learn the different fish species.
My best memory in the project: when Simon (chef) was teaching us how to cook the fish while making us laugh by singing ‘Shake it off’ by Taylor Swift.
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: is to share the ideas across schools in the UK.
Brad Pearce
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: as managing director at CATERed Ltd I’ve been supporting the team to understand how the Plymouth Fishfinger could fit within a school menu. Particularly looking at how the product would meet mandatory school food standards, how consistency, quality and volume could be assured.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: fishers, school leadership teams, pupils and school caterers together on a learning experience which has encompassed sustainability, local sourcing, food production and food serving.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought my organisation: opportunity to work more closely with some of our schools and pupils - our community - to be more than just a school meal!
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: at CATERed we’re passionate about being more than just a school dinner provider. Projects like the Plymouth Fishfinger support the wider agenda about access to food, sustainability, affordability, local growers, producers, fishers and local employment and the local and regional economy.
Simon Tucker
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: as liaison chef from CATERed, I supported the team by cooking the fish fingers in the schools accessed through one of our multiacademy trusts, as part of educational sessions with pupils so they could taste test the fishfinger.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: knowledge.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought my organisation: opportunity to promote local Plymouth Fish.
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: to bring fun and healthy food to the children of Plymouth
Hannah Mumby
My role in FoodSEqual Plymouth has been: working as a freelance creative facilitator and visual artist, facilitating group workshops wnd creating artworks to illuminate and share various aspects of the learning emerging from this project.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought me: a sense of being welcomed, included and trusted - it’s been wonderful being part of conversations, reflection and development within the project, and it’s brought me a lot of joy and food for thought. I have a huge appreciation of the hard work and care that is folded into FoodSEqual.
FoodSEqual Plymouth has brought my organisation: a meaningful, ongoing collaboration. I’m a sole trader / freelancer and my work can sometimes be quite lonely, so feeling part of a team in an ongoing collaboration like this one is powerful and adds a sense of depth to my practice.
My aspirations for the future of food in Plymouth beyond FoodSEqual: meaningful continued connections and conversations.
Heartfelt thanks to everyone who has given their time to collaborate and share knowledge on the FoodSEqual Plymouth project (see QR code for more information about the project).
This portrait project was made possible via funding from Futures (University of Plymouth public engagement) Thanks to Emma Booth for coordinating and creating the portraits for this project
by
