In case you’ve missed it, in 2025, Granite City Good Food will be putting forward a bid on behalf of the city to become a gold award holder as a Sustainable Food Place.
Sustainable Food Places is a network of over 110 food partnerships across the UK who, like Granite City Good Food, are bringing together organisations across the areas they serve to use food for good and to create change! While - as food partnerships - we are making a difference across the UK, there is still lots you can do to support the movement for change in Aberdeen City!
1- Sign the Granite City Good Food Charter
The Granite City Good Food Charter is the number one way to add your name to the growing list of those who support a sustainable food system in Aberdeen City. If you support a sustainable food system in the city, and want to support our work to #TurnTheGraniteCityGold, sign up today!
The charter means you are pledging to an ethos of sustainable food around the city, and to consider the key changes to your routine which supports nutritious, delicious food, which is also good for the planet and the economy.
2- Buy your food as locally as you can!
When it comes to supporting the local economy, and making sure your food is the best it can be, buying food locally – where you are able to – is one of the best ways to tackle food miles, and to get the freshest, most delicious produce you can. Whether you visit your butcher or fishmonger more often, grab a top-up shop from a local food shop, or grab great-quality bread from your local bakery- there are lots of options to start with!
Visit the Aberdeen City Sustainable Food Directory to see what there is in your local area:
If you are looking to buy quality produce online, there are also lots of great options! Have a look online and you might find your favourite local business? For example, if you are buying fruit or vegetables, why not grab a Vegaroonitoon box from CFINE with lots of local, great quality fruit and veg which directly supports CFINE’s charitable activity? – link to Vegaroonitoon shop!
3- Grown your own food or take part in community food growing!
Growing your own food is so rewarding! It’s great for your mental and physical health, not to mention the enjoyment from the fruits (and vegetables!) of your labour!
If you have your own space to grow- as little as a windowsill or small garden area- you can really make that stretch! If you don’t have the space, fear not! There are lots of amazing opportunities to grow in your community, with community gardens around the city all doing brilliant work.
You can find your local community garden on the Aberdeen City Growing Map here:
4- Become a Food Champion, and help others learn how to cook in your community
As well as growing and enjoying food, one of the fundamental experiences we can have around good food is the enjoyment from cooking a tasty and delicious meal! However, not everyone is confident in the kitchen, and it can be daunting if you are trying to cook certain meals for the first time!
That’s where the Aberdeen Community Food Network comes in- with a network of trained food champions in the city who host cooking classes around the city to help inspire around cooking tasty, healthy food!
Interested in using your skills to help communities find inspiration around food? The food champions programme is for you!
5- Small changes mean a lot- make small changes, today!
In general, small changes mean a lot and changing your own behaviour can lead to a big impact. For example, shopping for Fair and Ethical food labels – including the iconic Fairtrade emblem – to ensuring you try and eat 5 varied portions of fruit and vegetables per day can ensure you are enjoying food in a healthy and ethical way.
It’s also worth emphasising the impact any person can have on our planet by tackling food waste, and it can be simple and fun to start. You can find our Zero Waste Cooking Inspiration here- so why not start today?
As it would happen, all of the categories we’ve covered in this post are key features of our Charter.
Why not join the movement?
Why not sign our Granite City Good Food Charter?
