2 July 2026

The SDLP has today published Seeds of Success: Building Sustainable Food Systems, a policy paper setting out proposals to overhaul how food is produced, distributed and accessed across Northern Ireland.

The paper warns that Northern Ireland's food system is under growing pressure – caused by everything from global shocks, spiralling costs and environmental strain. 

It points to growing calls by foodbanks who have been inundated with demand and from the farming community who continue to face barriers created by Brexit and a lack of Stormont support.

The Executive's current Food Strategy Framework lacks the coordination and delivery focus needed to respond.

The SDLP has issued a number of proposals including:

• Introduction of a legal right to food via a Food Systems Bill.
• Ring-fencing revenue generated by the Soft Drinks Industry Levy to support early years nutrition and school-based programme.
• At least 50% of goods procurements by Government departments and arms-length bodies being sourced locally within 5 years
• Providing financial funding for agri-innovation and peer-to-peer support for farmers
  Piloting a healthy food subsidy for low-income families.
• Reforming planning permissions to allow public spaces to be accessible to community gardening, with dedicated council officers to support Growers.

The paper was launched at the Three Sisters Community Garden in West
Belfast on Thursday.

Speaking at the launch, SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP stated:

"Food should not be a source of insecurity in a wealthy society, but many families across Northern Ireland are struggling to access adequate, nutritious and quality food due to affordability.

“Without decisive action, food insecurity will deepen – we already see increasing demands on foodbanks here and pressures on farmers will intensify, and the long-term cost to our health service will keep rising. This is a public health, social and economic issue.

“We are calling for a legal right to food, to ensure a more resilient and joined up food system to tackle poverty, environmental degradation and supply issues and which would benefit households, farmers, local businesses and the environment here.”

You can read the full Seeds of Success paper here.