Strategic approach

After three years of events, outreach and discussions with the Northern food and farming community, 2023 launching a collaborative food strategy reflection and review process. This aimed to understand current needs and where we should focus our efforts to realise our vision of a healthy, fair and sustainable food and farming system for the North. 

Through a series of participatory workshops, discussion events and surveys, a strategy was developed which will guide Northern Food and Farming’s work over the coming 3-5 years.

The strategy draws together the knowledge and opinions from key individuals and organisations working in the agroecology sector across the North of England. Crucially, it highlights six action areas which were identified as being key to bringing about a resilient food system in the region. 

This work also highlighted the importance of NFF’s role as a facilitator in the transition to a healthy, fair and sustainable food and farming system for the North. NFF plays an important role in supporting and weaving together current and future work to ensure it effectively delivers the collaborative vision. Whilst a conference originally helped to build the network, the need for a more comprehensive programme of change was identified during the review process including synergistic work by partner organisations and specific NFF projects.

The strategy was published in 2024 and, since then, it has helped to focus NFF’s activities and fundraising. In May 2025, we came together to review current relevant activities being led by different collaboration group members, potential for synergy, and revised priorities across the six action areas considering changes in the regional and political climate. 

Each action area also has a goal and is supported by a series of desired outcomes and activities which we aim to progress by working collaboratively and in partnership over the next 3-5 years.