About the Alliance
The Food & Health Alliance is a Scottish network that engages a variety of people from different sectors and professions who are all involved with food and health work. It helps to inform people, connect people with others, and aid policy development and implementation.
What does the Food & Health Alliance do?
- connect people to information by keeping you up-to-date on food and health news, including what’s happening in all sectors.
- connect people with each other across all food and health areas in Scotland. By bringing people together, we help to share information and experiences, help make links and provide a chance to network across different sectors.
- connect people to policy by increasing the awareness and understanding of food and health policies. Our aim is to raise the profile of food and health and provide opportunities to influence policies.
The role of the Food & Health Alliance and its aims
The Food & Health Alliance's role is to support the range of stakeholders involved in implementing a multi-sector food chain-based food and health strategy.
This range of stakeholders includes national and local government, NHS health boards, community planning, education, voluntary and community organisations, national governance organisations, research and academia, media, local enterprise companies and all food-chain organisations (primary producers, food processors and manufacturers, caterers and retailers).
The aim of supporting the implementation of national food and health policy in Scotland will be achieved by:
- stimulating effective communication between all stakeholders involved in food and health that is relevant, efficient and engaging
- providing opportunities for debate, both online and in person
- sharing food and health evidence and information, for example promoting good practice
- promoting learning and development opportunities.
Background and policy context
The Scottish Executive's policy document Eating for Health: The Challenge (2004) stated the need to "co-ordinate action and commitment to food and health policy through improved communication and leadership"; A Scottish Executive and Food Standards Agency Scotland (FSAS) action was "to ensure strong and effective engagement and interactive communication with all key stakeholders"They established the Food & Health Alliance back in April 2005. In 2006 economies of scale and greater opportunities for learning and development led to the Food & Health Alliance being managed by NHS Health Scotland while remaining in partnership with the Scottish Government and FSAS. NHS Health Scotland's involvement commenced with the recruitment of the Coordinator in January 2006.
In 2008 the Scottish Government published Healthy Eating, Active Living: An action plan to improve diet, increase physical activity and tackle obesity (2008-2011), stating its commitment to ‘retain and strengthen’ the Food & Health Alliance ‘ensuring a focused strategy for future activity’.
Governance of the Food & Health Alliance
The Food & Health Alliance reports to a Project Board Group that has representation from NHS Health Scotland and Scottish Government. A Stakeholder Group helps advice the Food & Health Alliance .
Contacting the Food & Health Alliance
The Food & Health Alliance is located within NHS Health Scotland, Thistle House, 91 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5HE.
You can contact us by emailing fha@health.scot.nhs.uk or phoning 0131 313 7500
