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Research

Value and Potential of Local Food Initiatives

Advantage West Midlands funded research in the West Midlands to examine the value, real outcomes and lessons learnt from Local Food Initiatives in the region. The research looked at:

• The links between rural and urban issues
• How LFIs can contribute to urban economic development and regeneration
• What other social and health benefits LFIs bring

View the reports:

• The value and potential of local food initiatives in the West Midlands region: A report to Advantage West Midlands: Main Report
  A research project to investigate numbers, objectives and practices of local food initiatives (LFIs) within the region, and their value in terms of health, economic, social and environmental gains, situating the work in a national context.
• The value and potential of local food initiatives in the West Midlands region: Appendices
  Appendices to the main report

Mapping of Food Access

• Access to Retail Outlets of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables in the West Midlands: 1st Draft Report to Directors of Public Health Meeting
  Access to an adequate and appropriate diet is a fundamental element of a healthy lifestyle and eating well is a long-term investment in good health. Unhealthy diets, which tend to include too much sugar, salt and fatty foods, are linked to tooth decay, heart disease and stroke as well as cancer; research suggests that a third of all cancers are the result of a poor diet and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption is considered the second most effective strategy in reducing cancer. Poor nutrition is also implicated in low birth weight, a major issue in some parts of the West Midlands region. It is estimated that eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day could reduce overall deaths due to chronic disease by up to 20%.
• Access to Retail Outlets of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables in the West Midlands: Phase 2
  Phase 2 of the project
• Mapping Access to Fresh Fruit and Vegetables in Birmingham and Wolverhampton Progress Report: Refining the Index
  Phase 3 of the project

Leisure Centre Vending Survey

• Leisure Centre Food and Drink Survey – 2008
  A healthy active lifestyle involves both physical activity and healthy eating, however sometimes the ability to make healthy choices is hampered by the limited availability of appropriate choices. It may be thought that hospitals and leisure centres would be role models for healthy environments but often the vending provision and cafes in these settings provide little opportunity to exercise a healthy choice.

Food in Schools Surveys

Details of the results of the regional survey for 2007 are available below:

• Birmingham
  
• Coventry
  
• Herefordshire
  
• Sandwell
  
• Shropshire
  
• Solihull
  
• Staffordshire
  
• Stoke
  
• Telford & Wrekin
  
• Walsall
  
• Warwickshire
  
• Wolverhampton
  
• Worcester
  

Whole School Food Policy (WSFP) Research

• Are Whole School Food Policies implemented effectively in practice in primary schools in the West Midlands?
  Having a Whole School Food Policy (WSFP) is an important element of the Healthy Eating Theme to meet the criteria for National Healthy Schools status. A WSFP sets out a school’s intention for practice concerning food across the whole school day. The number of schools reporting a WSFP has increased dramatically between 2005 and 2007, but little is known as to how effectively WSFPs are implemented in practice and whether this translates into improved food provision and environments in schools, changes in attitudes/behaviour and ultimately in improved health and well-being of the children.
• Are Whole School Food Policies implemented effectively in practice in primary schools in the West Midlands? - Annexes
  Annxes to the main report.
• Whole School Food Policy Project
  Presentation summarising the report.
• Are Whole School Food Policies implemented effectively in practice in primary schools in the West Midlands? - Summary of the research
  Summary of the research.
• Whole School Food Policy Guidance - Wolverhampton Healthy Schools Team
  Guidance produced by Sue Baugh, Healthy Eating Co-ordinator from the Wolverhamtpon Healthy Schools Team. The document includes a checklist of what should be included in a whole school policy as well as guidance on what should be covered under each section.