impact – FoodWise

Nominate People involved in Leeds Food Growing

By Zoe Parker

Published 22nd December 2025

Do you know local heroes or projects in your community that deserve recognition?

We want to celebrate the people and projects who are putting local food growing at the heart of what they do in Leeds. Maybe you know a cool local growing project, an enthusiastic young person doing great things in a community garden, or a local enterprise really making a difference? You can nominate them for the Feed Leeds Food Growing Awards 2026 you can nominate in 5 categories and as many people or projects as you like. Know someone who fits the bill?

We invite you to nominate inspiring people and projects in the following five categories!

1. Most Enthusiastic Young or School Gardener (up to the age of 25) – Tell us about the young people in Leeds making a difference. Do you know a young gardener who inspires you?

2. Outstanding Community Champion – Who is your local community champion? Tag them and let us know why they deserve recognition!

3. Best Community Food Growing Enterprise or Initiative – Feed Leeds wants to showcase food growing projects that are helping communities become more sustainable and resilient. It could be a project that teaches people to grow their own food, a community orchard, one that supplies fresh produce to local food banks and community kitchens, or one that teaches people to make their own compost at home. Nominate a project that has helped others. What impact has this initiative had on your / their community?

4. Best Local Business Supporting Local Food Growing Enterprises – Local retailers and restaurants play an integral role in supporting local food growing enterprises, helping them to be financially viable. We want to discover the retail businesses, caterers, cafes, and restaurants supporting local food growing enterprises so we can celebrate their vision and commitment to supporting the Leeds local food network. Who do you think should be nominated for their exceptional support?

5. Best Community Composting Group – Composting food scraps is a great way to reduce carbon emissions and return nutrients back to the soil. Community composting is on the rise and Feed Leeds is keen to celebrate who is leading the way. Composting groups can be within a school, in a community gardening project, or amongst friends and neighbors. Do you know a group that is doing amazing work in composting?

Winners will be announced at the Feed Leeds AGM Celebration on Monday 9 February 2026 5:30-8:30pm* at Meanwood Valley Urban Farm.

*Doors open 5:30pm, awards at 6pm, shared meal from 7:15pm followed by networking.

If you know inspirational people or groups involved in food growing in Leeds, we’d love you to nominate them!

know inspiring local people and projects involved in leeds food growing

Nominations are open until Sunday 1 February 2026.

Ready to nominate local people and projects?

Click Now

Statement on FoodWise Leeds

By Zoe Parker

Published 10th December 2025

Statement on FoodWise Leeds, 10 December 2025

On 31 December 2025, Zest ceased operations. Zest hosted Foodwise Leeds (FWL) and was contracted by Leeds City Council (LCC) to oversee the development of the Leeds Food Partnership. In addition to co-ordinating the partnership, FoodWise Leeds generates additional funding to address challenges and progress opportunities identified through the Leeds Food Strategy, and wider work, to support its aims and delivery. As a result of the closure of the host organisation, LCC is currently reprocuring the service and is aiming to award a contract for a new host organisation for the FoodWise team soon.

A message from Juli Thompson, Chair of FoodWise Leeds Advisory Board.

This transition marks a significant moment, we remain optimistic about the future. We are hopeful that a new host organisation will come forward to continue this vital work, ensuring that the momentum behind the Leeds Food Strategy and our shared commitment to a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable food system for Leeds is maintained. We look forward to working closely with partners across the city to support a smooth transition for the FoodWise team and the wider Leeds Food Partnership.

Mapping Leeds’ Community Food Growing

By Zoe Parker

Published 4th December 2025

Complete the Community Food Growing Survey

We have teamed up with Fruit Works Co-op to develop the Leeds Food Growing Network (LFGN). This is a citywide initiative to connect the many people and places involved in community growing food across Leeds and to amplfy their voices. While growers often focus on their own patch, there’s huge value in sharing knowledge, spotting gaps, and celebrating what’s working well.

To kick things off, we’re running a Community Food Growing Survey.

This survey will help us build a better understanding of the community food growing scene across Leeds. The project is funded by Y-PIP’s Communities Innovating Yorkshire Fund (CIYF), which backs place-based projects around inclusive economy, creativity, and climate action. More about the LFGN and this initiative here.

This survey is designed to be completed by anyone growing food with others in a community space within the Leeds City Council boundary. It is not intended for private home gardens and allotments.

As a thank you, everyone will be entered in a prize draw for a chance to win a £50 voucher from Beardsworths who are a large, local wholesale nursery growing hardy trees, shrubs, perennials and hedging, conveniently located by Junction 26 of the M62.

We’ve tested this survey and it takes less than 10 minutes.
The deadline for submission is Sunday 18 January 2026 (midnight).

Please share the link with others who may not be on social media.

If you’re involved in community food growing in Leeds, we’d love to hear from you — your insights will shape what comes next.

Can you spare 10 minutes to tell us about your community food growing

Complete the Survey

And be in with a chance of winning £50 voucher!

Find out More

HENRY Gets a Makeover

By Zoe Parker

Published 21st November 2025

New Leeds HENRY website makes it even easier to find sessions that Support whole-family wellness

HENRY Healthy Families Growing Up programmes, now including 5-12’s, explore key themes such as; well-being, whole family lifestyle habits, mealtimes, TV, sleep, food, behaviour, setting boundaries, parenting and physical activity. Programmes are delivered across Leeds and online and there is no cost to attend.

These free courses are a fantastic opportunity for families to embrace healthier habits and create positive changes together. The Healthy Families Growing Up Programme is suitable for any parent or carer with at least one child aged 5-12 years. We have programmes available at various locations across Leeds, as well as an online option that parents can join from the comfort of their homes. Find out more from School Wellbeing website here

Why it Matters

HENRY family support works – 97% of families who join a HENRY family programme are leading a healthier lifestyle by the programme’s end.
Independent evaluation has shown that families make long term lifestyle changes, and parents themselves often describe our support as ‘life-changing’.

“I got lots of ideas about how to help my family and make healthier choices for us all.”

Useful Links & Resources

Healthy Healthy start brighter future pdf

Download 5-12 delivery leaflet

kids of different genders and ethnicities smiling and laughing

Download Families Growing Up Information

Click for HENRY Map - Leeds Locations

kids happy healthy illustrations diverse in ethnicity hair styles genders

More useful links, recipes, nationwide Henry support near you and healthy eating resources.

Go to HENRY Homepage

Good food, Fair Future

By Zoe Parker

Published 31st October 2025

Sustainable Food Partnerships Unite at Parliament to Drive a Good Food Future

Sonja Woodock, the Sustainable Food Places (SFP) coordinator for the Leeds Food Partnership will heading down to Parliament on 5 November for the SFP Day of Celebration and Action 2025

The Sustainable Food Places Day of Celebration and Action took place on Wednesday November 5 2025. This was an occasion to convene in Parliament to showcase and celebrate the important work of our network, strengthen our relationships with our MPs and step into our roles as experts on issues that matter the most to their constituents. The focus this year is Food Partnerships enable healthy, sustainable, and affordable food in your constituency. This year is a key moment in food and farming, including the development of a national Food Strategy that recognises the role of vibrant local food cultures

The UK-wide Sustainable Food Places network convenes 123 food partnerships who link up local authorities, community organisations, farmers, businesses and residents to roll out innovative projects improving access to healthy, sustainable food, strengthening supply chains and celebrating local food identity.

Click on the link to find out more.

Why it Matters

It gives national visibility to local food action, elevating grassroots solutions into parliamentary and policy discussions.
It builds stronger collaboration between local partners and MPs, which can influence policy and secure funding or legislative support.
It reinforces the idea that transforming food systems is not just an agricultural/farming matter but spans public health, community development, environment and local economy.

Together, we can make Leeds a healthier, more sustainable and more equitable place to live.

SFP day of Celebration

Find out More

day of celebration and caction image of people

🌱 Join the Movement

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✅ Join 850+ Leeds Citizens and Take Action as an Individual, Food Business or Organisation

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✅ Sign the Leeds Food Charter and commit your organisation to the city’s good food movement