Health and wellbeing
Progress on Walsall’s Food Plan to be recognised at Health and Wellbeing Board
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A report recognising the significant progress on Walsall’s Food Plan will be presented at a meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board on Thursday 5 November.
Feeding Walsall's Future: The Food Plan (2025-2030), a partnership-led plan designed to improve access to healthy, affordable food and support better health outcomes for residents, is coming to the end of its first year of delivery since launching at the end of 2025.
Since its launch, partners have worked together to turn the plan into action. Achievements include the expansion of affordable food provision through community food outlets in areas of greatest need, the commissioning of food and nutrition skills training for frontline workers, and research into the barriers young people and their families face when making healthy food choices.
“ The progress highlighted in this report demonstrates the value of organisations across Walsall working together towards a shared ambition of improving access to healthy, affordable food. The Food Plan provides a clear framework for bringing partners together and it is encouraging to see positive action taking place across communities, schools and local organisations in its first year. The Health and Wellbeing Board welcomes this progress and looks forward to seeing the partnership build on these achievements in the years ahead. “
The Walsall Food Partnership has also helped ensure that access to healthy food is considered in local decision-making, including planning processes, to ensure healthier food environments are considered as part of future development. Having successfully applied for and joined the Sustainable Food Places network in June 2026, progress is being made towards bronze accreditation, while community organisations have received funding to deliver projects promoting healthy eating, cooking skills and affordable food.
Among the projects making an impact is FoodCycle, which delivered 34 community dining sessions over nine months and served more than 1,000 meals using surplus food. Meanwhile, Old Hall People's Partnership has engaged more than 35 residents in community food growing whilst supporting wellbeing and social connection.
Further progress has been made in promoting healthier food environments. Walsall Council’s Catering Service achieved the Food for Life Served Here Bronze accreditation in 2026, which continues to provide meals that meet recognised healthy eating standards across 35 schools in the borough.
The partnership is also developing a dedicated online resource to help residents locate affordable food providers and community food services, while continuing to work with partners including FareShare Midlands to increase access to affordable fresh fruit and vegetables.
Furthermore, Walsall was allocated £222,000 from the Government’s Good Food Neighbourhoods programme in September to support delivery of key food plan priorities and strengthen community action across the borough.
“ The first year of delivery has shown what can be achieved when partners work collectively towards a common goal.
We've seen investment in community-led projects, increased support for residents experiencing food insecurity, new opportunities to improve food and nutrition skills and stronger connections between organisations across the borough.
While there is more to do, the progress made so far provides a strong foundation for improving access to healthy, affordable food and supporting better health outcomes for Walsall residents. “
The Health and Wellbeing Board will continue to provide strategic oversight of the Food Plan, while the Walsall Food Partnership leads delivery across its four priorities: Good Food Choice, Good Food Environment, Sustainable, Responsible and Resilient, and Leadership, Commissioning and Procurement.
To find out more about the Walsall Food Plan, visit the Walsall Council website.
The full papers for the Health and Wellbeing Board can be found on the Council’s Committee Information and Management Systems (CMIS) site.
