Food Commission minutes: September 2016
Minutes from the meeting of the Food Commission on 28 September 2016.
Attendees and apologies
Participants
- Jackie Brock
- David Croft
- Elinor Cunningham
- Ally Dingwall
- Julie Fitzpatrick - Vice Chair
- Robin Gourlay
- Gillian Kynoch
- Donnie Maclean
- Davy Milligan
- Caroline Mockford
- Peter Morgan
- Pete Ritchie
- Shirley Spear - Chair
- Jackie McCreery
- Peter Midgley
- Heather Peace
- Joanne Boyle
- Pamela Berry
- Lyndsey Fogg
- Angelica Lorenzo
- Rose Munenura
- Fiona Page
- Mike Palmer
- Lorna Aitken
- Bill Gray
- Elaine Kerridge
Apologies
- Jamie Dunlop
- Ken Mackenzie
- Andrew Sutherland
Items and actions
1. Welcome and introduction
1.1. Shirley Spear welcomed Commission members and all guests to the meeting.
1.2. Shirley advised that due to ill health, Pam Whittle had tendered her resignation as a member of the Food Commission.
1.3. The Chair then welcomed 2 new members to the Food Commission, Jackie McCreery and Gillian Kynoch to replace Margo Wordie and Pam Whittle respectively.
2. Best practice example
2.1. Jackie Brock presented her best practice example Food, families and futures programme.
2.2. The group were very interested in this initiative and had a discussion regarding the issues that arose with trying to run this initiative.
Action:
- to give best practice suggestions to Julie which can be included on the new Good Food Nation website - ALL
3. Minutes and actions
3.1. The minutes of the Commission meeting held on 14 June 2016 were agreed as a correct record and have been published.
4. Brexit core principles
4.1. Julie Fitzpatrick, Vice Chair introduced a discussion seeking to address if the Food Commission needed to refocus or reprioritise their remit / role in light of Brexit.
4.2. The Commission then had a discussion which concluded that they had the right focus and would look at issues as they arose.
4.3. It was noted that Scotland Food & Drink are currently preparing a paper on the implications of Brexit to the Food and Drink Industry.
4.4. It was also noted that Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for the RuralEconomy and Connectivity had had a debate in the Scottish Parliament the day before on ‘securing the interests of Scotland’s rural economy following the EU referendum.
Action:
- to ask Scotland Food and Drink if the Food Commission would be able to see the Brexit paper for information purposes – SG
- for the SG website to be updated with everyone’s details – SG
- the Brexit Parliamentary debate transcript to be circulated - SG
5. Stocktake from health meeting
5.1. Julie Fitzpatrick presented the feedback that has been discussed at the breakout sessions at the previous meeting on health.
5.2. The Food Commission then had a discussion to establish that the actions and suggestions were all being taken forward within the subgroups. They also reiterated that each subgroup has a health element.
5.3. The group also agreed a suggestion that the subgroups should establish a number questions and answers to be put onto the website to assist with queries.
Action:
- FAQs to be drafted by end of November - Subgroups
- recirculate indicators – SG
6. GFN Bill
6.1. Mr Ewing has asked for the Food Commissions thoughts on the GFN Bill. The group are keen to do this and feel it is an excellent opportunity to engage with the wider communities.
Action:
- Amanda Fox to be invited to the next Food Commission meeting - SG
7. Knowledge presentations
7.1. Lorna Aitken from Education Scotland did a presentation on Food Education in Scotland and Bill Gray from Community Food & Health Scotland gave a presentation on the work they have been doing in communities.
7.2. Brief discussion before moving onto the breakout sessions for further consideration.
8. Breakout sessions and feedback
8.1. Based on the presentations above the Commission members were asked to form 3 groups to discuss one of the selected three topics below and then to provide feedback to all:
- are there any gaps in what schools are doing?
- how do we move the learning taking place in schools into the wider community?
- how do we target the hard to reach groups of the community? How do we ensure that they too have the knowledge of food?
8.2. Discussion followed about how to take forward the feedback from the discussion and breakout sessions via work streams and sub-groups.
Action:
- A paper to be prepared and circulated summarising the advice and recommendations from the knowledge session and breakout groups for discussion and sign off – SG
- Presentations to be circulated – SG
- To find out the best way to engage with SG Officials regarding Home Economic teachers – SG
9. Feedback from subgroups
9.1. Each subgroup gave a quick update on their progress and thinking.
9.2. The group were also advised that there would shortly be a meeting with representatives from the SG Marketing department, SG Food and Drink Division, Whitespace Agency and the Food Commission to discuss the progress of the Good Food Nation website.
Action:
- Robin Gourlay’s 2 papers to be circulated –SG
10. Discussion on what's next
10.1. The next meeting will be on 15 December 2016 at Diageo, Edinburgh Park, 5 Lochside Way, Edinburgh EH12 9DT.
10.2. The theme of the meeting will be Environmental sustainability. A draft agenda will be worked up in conjunction with the relevant subgroup.
11. AOB
11.1. Peter Midgley reminded the Food Commission that Food Standards Scotland Board had agreed for a joint meeting with them.
11.2. Joanne Boyle asked if the word produced should be added to the GFN vision. This was agreed.
11.3. The Commission were delighted to hear about the popularity of the Good Food Nation Fund and were looking forward to hearing about the successful projects.
Action:
- a joint meeting between FSS & Food Commission to be arranged - FSS
- the GFN vision to be updated - SG
Summary of actions
- to give best practice suggestions to Julie which can be included on the new Good Food Nation website - ALL
- to ask Scotland Food and Drink if the Food Commission would be able to see the Brexit paper for information purposes – SG
- for the SG website to be updated with everyone’s details – SG
- the Brexit Parliamentary debate transcript to be circulated - SG
- FAQs to be drafted by end of November - Subgroups
- recirculate indicators – SG
- Amanda Fox to be invited to the next Food Commission meeting - SG
- a paper to be prepared and circulated summarising the advice and recommendations from the knowledge session and breakout groups for discussion and sign off – SG
- presentations to be circulated – SG
- to find out the best way to engage with SG Officials regarding Home Economic teachers – SG
- Robin Gourlay’s 2 papers to be circulated –SG
- a joint meeting between FSS & Food Commission to be arranged - FSS
- the GFN vision to be updated – SG
Contact
Email: goodfoodnation@gov.scot
Telephone: 0300 244 9802
Post:
Scottish Government
Food, Drink and Rural Communities
B1 Spur
Saughton House
Broomhouse Drive
Edinburgh
EH11 3XD
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