Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help ensure that the Food Strategy will support access to fresh produce in low-income inner-city communities.

Defra is developing plans to work closely with local authorities to support initiatives that help improve access to healthy and affordable food in those areas in greatest need, recognizing that the most effective solutions are often those designed and delivered locally. This will include supporting community‑led approaches such as food clubs, community kitchens, and cooking and nutrition programmes, which empower people and strengthen local food resilience.

Defra is also working across Government to develop a more strategic, long‑term approach to support food access and affordability in priority locations this Parliament. This will take a partnership approach with industry to support local initiatives, work across Government to promote funding opportunities (for example, through Pride and Place, Crisis and Resilience and the Better Futures Fund), and leverage additional private funding, working with the Office for Impact Economy.