Walsall’s Food Partnership is continuing its work to make healthy, affordable and sustainable food more accessible for residents across the borough.
The partnership brings together organisations from across the public, private, health, housing, education and voluntary sectors, with a shared aim of improving the local food environment and reducing inequalities. The work builds on the launch of the Walsall Food Plan in December 2025, which set out a long-term vision for creating a healthier and more sustainable food system.
Recent national changes restricting the advertising of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) are expected to support local efforts. The measures aim to reduce children’s exposure to less healthy food options and contribute to tackling childhood obesity. Locally, these changes align with the partnership’s focus on making healthier choices more visible and easier to access.
A range of initiatives are already in place across Walsall. These include promoting the NHS Healthy Start scheme, supporting community shops that offer affordable food, sharing simple recipes to help families cook at home and encouraging residents to grow their own food.
Education also plays a key role, with programmes such as the Food for Life Children and Families Healthy Eating Programme, delivered by the Soil Association and commissioned by Walsall Council Public Health. The programme currently supports more than 19,000 children across early years and school settings, helping embed healthy eating and cooking into everyday life.
The Walsall Food Plan focuses on several key priorities, including improving access to healthier food choices, supporting healthier food environments, promoting environmental sustainability and strengthening leadership across services. Work is also underway with planning teams to ensure healthier food options are considered in local development decisions.
The strategy aligns with wider council priorities set out in the Council Plan 2025–2029 and the We Are Walsall 2040 vision, which aims to create a healthier, greener and more inclusive borough.
Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Health and Wellbeing at Walsall Council, said:
“ The Walsall Food Partnership is a fantastic example of how we can work together to create a healthier, greener borough. By making nutritious, affordable food the easy choice, we’re tackling inequalities and helping families live healthier lives. This is about giving every resident the opportunity to thrive and ensuring that healthy eating becomes the norm in Walsall. “
Adam Carter, Chair of the Walsall Food Partnership, added:
“ Our partnership brings together a range of organisations with one shared goal: to make healthy, sustainable food accessible for everyone. We want to take a whole-system approach. From community shops to growing and cooking initiatives, we’re empowering residents to make positive choices and building a food system that works for Walsall today and for future generations.” “
Residents can find out more about the initiative and access support through the following links:
Walsall Food Plan: https://go.walsall.gov.uk
Community shops and support: https://go.walsall.gov.uk
Healthy Start and cost of living support: https://go.walsall.gov.uk
HFSS advertising regulations: https://www.gov.uk
The partnership will continue to develop projects aimed at improving access to healthy food and supporting long-term wellbeing across the borough.