Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Claire Baker met this week with Fife Diet to discuss their food manifesto ahead of a debate in the Scottish Parliament. On-going plans from Fife Diet were also discussed at the meeting in Ms Baker’s Kirkcaldy office.
The debate, which will take place on Thursday 13th of September, was called for at the request of Ms Baker who wishes to discuss the Fife Diet food manifesto’s proposals in a national setting.
After the meeting Ms Baker and Fife Diet visited Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy to look over plans under consultation for a community food and wildlife garden.
The Food Manifesto is Fife Diet’s contribution to the food and drink policy framework and aims to ‘look afresh at the values that underpin how we organise our food economy’.
Points raised by the manifesto include the Soup Test where every child will leave school knowing how to make a pot of soup. Current statistics show that up to 57% of 18-25 year olds are leaving home without the knowledge of how to cook simple recipes such as Spaghetti Bolognese. The manifesto also suggests a plastic bag tax and farm apprenticeships amongst other points.
Fife Diet, working alongside Fife Council and Beveridge Park Development Group, has also brought forward proposals for a community space in the park for regular growing activities for families and local people. Proposals for ‘The Kaleyard’ are available on the Fife Diet website and they are actively looking for responses from local residents.
Speaking from her Kirkcaldy office, Claire Baker MSP said:
“It was great to have a meeting with Fife Diet ahead of the debate in the Scottish Parliament.
“Their food manifesto covers many points that are worthy of further discussion and I hope that my members debate in Parliament will afford the opportunity for MSPs from all parties to discuss our relationship to food in Scotland.
“All too often discussion about food and drink is centred on exports and discussions about obesity are around the need for exercise. Whilst both are undoubtedly important a discussion regarding our attitude and relationships with food is essential, and I am hopeful that the work being done in Fife can kick start the debate in the new Parliamentary year.
“Fife Diet must be congratulated for the work they are undertaking to promote a healthy and sustainable food relationship in Fife. The plans for Beveridge Park have the potential to offer something new for Kirkcaldy and I’d encourage people to get involved.”