A new group aims to end the isolation of food poverty by creating warm, inclusive spaces, where everyone has a seat at the table. Launched in early February, the new Dublin 10 Food Alliance describes itself as “a coalition dedicated to transforming the local food landscape”. It is a response to research that revealed that 40% of the community in Ballyfermot faces food poverty.

The Alliance brings together key stakeholders “to combat systemic food insecurity by creating a vibrant and sustainable food system in the area”.

The cross-sector partnership includes formidable partners – Liffey Partnership, Dublin City Council, the HSE, the Department of Social Protection, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, FamiliBase, Ballyfermot Family Resource Centre and local councillors, Ray Cunningham and Daithi Doolan.

Drawing inspiration from progressive Scandinavian and European models, the alliance is launching several initiatives designed to empower the community.

These include:
• Collective Advocacy: Using local data to drive change in national health and social welfare policy.

• An Open Community Kitchen: A hub for cooking clubs and community dinners to foster shared connection through food.

• Not-for-Profit Meal Kits: Helping people with access issues to cook fresh, varied dinners at home.

• Co-ordinating Local Services: Bolstering local services and installing new free fridges, freezers and dry pantries to make healthy food more accessible.

• A Co-operative Community Shop: An affordable, community-owned grocery shop with high-quality produce.

As Lauren Corbet said after the launch, “You can’t make good choices without good options.”

Lauren is employed as community food and nutrition worker by Liffey Partnership and she believes that it is “fundamentally wrong” that fresh, nutritious food is often considered a privilege in Ireland. “We believe in the power of food to bring people together, so our mission is to fight for income equality, build a healthful, dignified food environment, and end the isolation of food poverty by creating warm, inclusive spaces, where everyone has a seat at the table,” she said.

This new initiative does not yet have an online presence and can easily be confused with another “Food Alliance” also based in Dublin but operated by a private company to reward customer loyalty.

For more information email Lauren directly at: lcorbet@liffeypartnership.ie