Bringing healthy food to every neighbourhood – Cork City, Ireland

Locating fresh, locally sourced food throughout the city of Cork in Ireland, has become easier using a digital platform which encourages residents to make informed, healthy food choices that support the local economy. To promote healthy food environments, the Cork Food Map provides real-time updates and detailed information, as well as examining the types of food marketing near schools. One of the targets related to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 (to reduce premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases by a third by 2030) is to halt the rise in obesity. Food environments play an important role in influencing the food that we eat, and population levels of obesity.

The Cork Food Policy Council (CFPC) is a voluntary body working towards making health a priority and building resilient food systems. Cork is member of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network and the CFPC, which includes local farmers, chefs, health experts, representatives of the catering sector and community leaders, works to ensure that every resident has access to healthy, affordable and sustainable food. The Cork Food Map system identifies nearby farmer's markets and highlights urban gardens and sustainable restaurants, making healthy eating more accessible than ever.

"Changing diets and access to affordable healthy food have huge public health and environmental implications. By growing and sharing food together at a local level, we are building strong resilient communities. The growth of community gardens across Cork City has been exponential in the past 4 years," says Denise Cahill, Healthy Cities Co-coordinator in Cork City.

Initiatives for healthier schools and communities

In a recent analysis, the Cork Food Map showed that most food products advertised within a 500-m radius of 3 secondary schools in the most disadvantaged socioeconomic areas of Cork City are unhealthy and of low nutritional value. Coupled with the density and type of food retail outlets in these neighbourhoods, the findings of the study highlight the need for reduced marketing of foods high in fat, sugar and salt to children, as recommended by WHO.

Another of the CFPC's key projects is community food growing. There are now 28 community gardens across Cork City growing local fruit and vegetables. The community gardens work with all age groups as well as reaching out to local schools, teaching children growing and cooking skills. Together Community Garden, one of the 28 community gardens, developed a cookbook specifically for children, using produce from the garden. Here, teachers include lessons on nutrition and how food is grown, helping students understand the importance of a balanced diet from a young age.

"Cork Food Policy Council understands the importance of food in terms of our culture and community. We support the annual city-wide 'Cork on a Fork' food festival by bringing people together to celebrate the diverse food traditions in Cork," adds Denise.

Now, the council is taking its mission a step further by calling on the public to get involved in shaping the future. The city has announced a public consultation to create a food strategy for Cork for the next 5 years. The draft vision for this strategy aims to create a setting that promotes a community-centred food environment, develops lifelong learning and skills around food, and ensures a thriving and diverse food economy.

Join the WHO European Healthy Cities Network

The WHO European Healthy Cities Network, which comprises 89 flagship cities and over 1200 others across the region, is working to promote health and well-being through innovative policies and urban design. Cities can join by committing to the Network's core principles of health equity, sustainability and participatory governance.

If you are a city leader in the European Region seeking to amplify your city's health initiatives, you can join the Network by emailing [email protected]

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.