British fruit: reviving our heritage ‘This meeting calls on the WI to spearhead a national campaign that creates a fruit revival in local communities, celebrates our WI roots, promotes health, addresses food security, and reduces the carbon footprint.’

The Issues: How we eat Treat the environment Take care of our bodies Learn new skills Relate to our heritage Foster community

UK Food Security Food security is a growing concern The UK is only 68% self-sufficient in foods which can be produced here For fruit the situation is particularly dire We are only 12% self-sufficient in fruit We import 88% of all fresh fruit

Extinction of Indigenous or ‘Heritage’ British Fruit The Decio apple Dittisham Ploughman Plum

Skills Gap

Food Waste

Cost to our Health

The Environment & Climate Change

Jamming & Canning

Incredible Edible Project

Arguments for the Resolution There is a growing shortage in the agricultural and horticultural industry, which will have a growing impact on the UK’s food security in the long-term. The NFWI is best placed to promote a revival of education and engagement in the sector. One of the principle outcomes from the WI’s Great Food Debate was the realisation that people have lost their connection to food. This resolution addresses that. This resolution is a return to our roots in more ways than one. There is potential for WIs across the country to mobilise their extensive local networks to bring community members together to teach new skills in food production and harvesting, learn about healthy eating and environmental stewardship, and contribute to the nation’s domestic food supply.

Arguments Against the Resolution This resolution encompasses a number of issues (food production, food security, healthy eating) that the WI is already working on or has worked on in the past. Is this resolution redundant? The complexity of this resolution has the potential to confuse and/or alienate members and engaged stakeholders.

Groups to contact for further information Existing and related campaign: Incredible Edible Network Tel: NFWI Public Affairs Tel: Ext British Growers Association Tel: via website: