January 2002 Issue 19 action and promoting multi-sectoral Into a new involvement (see page 8). Co-ordination was a key theme that came out of SCDP’s autumn conference (see year with page 3), as was the need to back this up with commitment. resolution When Susan Deacon, the former Health Minister, visited East Lothian Roots and cotland enters 2002 with a buzz Fruits in November to launch the SCDP’s Sof activity and anticipation. 2001/02 small grant scheme (see page 5) Many issues, which have been she couldn’t hide her admiration for the highlighted by local communities for range and scale of work undertaken there. some time, are now being Her successor, Malcolm Chisholm, has a addressed nationally. They are also long history of supporting community food to be addressed in a ‘joined-up’ activity in his own constituency and will fashion, familiar to many community hopefully provide, along with his new food initiatives who have many ministerial colleagues (see page 2), the years’ experience of operating in commitment and co-ordination at national this way. level so necessary to build on local achievements. The government has responded to the call for a national policy An interesting year ahead...... framework supporting an effective and consistent approach to food from the country’s schools (see page 9), most recently identified at last year’s ‘Food in Schools’ conference (see Fare Choice 16). At the end of last year, the need to secure and develop the benefits of Breakfast Clubs was also recognised (see page 2). CONTENTS Both initiatives involve collaboration from at least three government P2 Policy update departments and the involvement of P3 Men’s health other agencies. A clear sign that, P4 SCOFF at least within government, the P5 Grant update promised co-ordination is taking P6 Mobile fruit & veg vans place. FARE CHOICE P8 Publications P9 Food in schools West Lothian and Glasgow are the P10 Information exchange latest areas to launch their own ‘mini P12 Dates for your diary diet action plan’, co-ordinating local THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SCOTTISH COMMUNITY DIET PROJECT 5 2 Fare Choice Policy update Scotland The Food Poverty (Eradication) Bill was launched on the 14 November in London. First minister for Scotland Jack McConnell Transcripts of the talks and question time wasted no time in reshuffling the cabinet. session can be found on the website Susan Deacon the former Health Minister was www.joeshort.net/foodjustice/launch.html offered the Social Justice brief but turned it down ahead of taking maternity leave this year. An updated version of Food Poverty: What are Malcolm Chisholm takes over the Health & the policy options? has just been published Community Care brief and Iain Gray formly by Sustain. It looks at what has changed, where Minister for Community Care. there has been progress - and where progress has been lacking - and most importantly, sets The Scottish Executive Health Department out what is needed now, early in the new announced that national nutritional standards Millennium, to ensure that no-one in the UK is are to be set for school meals as part of a denied access to a varied and nutritious diet. package of measures championed by Gillian This Sustain discussion document draws Kynoch, Scotland’s Food and Health Co- together over 120 fully referenced proposals for ordinator. It is hoped that this will lead to huge tackling food poverty made by different improvements in Scotland’s school meals organisations and individuals, including those services. See for page 9 more information. from communities experiencing food poverty, and puts them in the context of the current Hot on the heels of the above announcement, debates around food poverty. This publication the Social Justice Department has pledged a will be useful for campaigners, practitioners and £250,000 boost to breakfast service policy-makers alike. Price £20 (£10 to Food provision in Scotland’s most disadvantaged Poverty Network Members) plus postage and areas. An initial review is to take place to packing £1, ISBN No.1 903060-17-6 from examine what types of breakfast clubs or Sustain www.sustainweb.org or 0207 837 1228. services exist and where, how they’re funded at present, what challenges they face to operating successfully and where the greatest demands Europe for the services lie. The review will recommend a future framework and assist the Executive to With the European Food Safety Authority set decide how best to target the fund. This new to open its doors for the first time in April this strategic approach initiated under the year, European Member States will join forces Executive’s long term objective of eradicating to become one in the search for the definitive child poverty within a generation, aims to provide answers to safer food. Marie Kelly at the Food more youngsters in Scotland’s most Standards Agency Scotland will be monitoring disadvantaged communities with a vital the progress of this new European Agency and nutritional kickstart to the day. you can call her for an update on 01224 285 100. Consolidation of food hygiene legislation, Westminster which started early last year, continues under the new Spanish Presidency and will progress for The deadline has passed for submissions to the the next four years. Check the FSA website Policy Commission on Farming and Food www.food.gov.uk for updates. for England. The Commission is due to report at the end of January. Check www.food.gov.uk for news. We have copies of some of the submissions to send out lokk at page 8 for details. Fare Choice 3 It’s a man thing also a newly appointed Co-ordinator for The Men’s Health Forum Scotland. This set-up offers en’s Health in the main isn’t taken too the basis for all involved to bridge the gaps Mseriously. Yet..... apparent in the field · Men commit suicide at higher rates than of men’s health and women. to ensure that any · British males’ life expectancy, on awareness work average, is up to 8 years shorter that overlaps, so no- British females. one is left out. Great · 1 in 5 men die prematurely before the age strides are being of 75 of cardio-vascular disease. taken on the road to · Take up of health related services among making people men is very poor. Moreover, a more aware of, and percentage of those who do use services ultimately may have left it too late. improving, men’s · Men routinely fail at close relationships. health. This job brings many hopes With these facts in mind Community Health UK and expectations. and Greater Glasgow NHS Board applied for Not least the real and received funding from the Scottish Executive need to bring as many people together as for a Men’s Health & Well-being Network Co- possible, from whatever background, to co- ordinator. The main aims of the post are: ordinate the message that men’s health & well- being, which in the past were either ignored or Ø To encourage, support & facilitate the not prioritised, must be placed on the agenda. development of local, i.e. Health Board For more information contact Stuart Miller on wide or smaller, multi-agency networks 0141 201 488, www.menshealthform/mh or interested or involved in work on men’s email [email protected]. health and well-being. Ø To encourage the recognition of men’s Rich Pickings: a conference full health & well-being issues by NHS of energy and optimism Boards, Health Trusts, local authorities, social inclusion partnerships, local Health he Scottish Community Diet Project care co-operatives and other local Thosted a networking conference called Rich agencies across Scotland. Pickings in December last year, which was attended by over 80 individuals concerned about Ø To develop innovative examples of best food health and inequalities in Scotland. A report practice, and take forward joint actions from the conference including presentations by where appropriate. Gillian Kynoch, the Food and Health Co-ordinator for Scotland and the Food Standards Agency Ø To provide advice and support to local Scotland, as well as a summary of all 10 agencies and projects seeking to workshops covering issues such as working with develop work on men’s health & well- the private sector, lay food workers and local diet being issues. action plans, will be posted on the SCDP’s website www.dietproject.co.uk, or available from The post is based within Dalian House, Greater Debbie on 0141 226 5261 soon. Participants Glasgow NHS Board headquarters, which commented on the optimism, energy and provides ideal opportunities to work closely with enthusiasm present throughout the day, and not only a designated Men’s Health Team, but throughout the country for tackling food and health inequalities. 4 Fare Choice An insight into the · Merchandise-Related - this covered areas world of research of choice, quality, price, quantities and Scoff provided by promotions. This category saw a number of members of the factors interacting to cause dissatisfaction Scottish Colloquium amongst consumers. For example, older On Feeding and people living alone wanted to buy small Food quantities but felt penalised as it was better value to buy in larger quantities. This was What influences the shopping experiences compounded by special offers which were of older consumers in Scotland? based on buying large quantities rather than on reduced prices. or current generations of older people, the · Retail Practices - this related to the method Ffood shopping environment has changed of service in the shop, complaints handling, dramatically during their lifetime, from locally display management, hygiene and stock based shopping in a variety of small management.