Power battles

It’s been a short while since the final event of Food Justice Fortnight, and we look back longingly at the countless moments of empowerment and optimism that took place over two weeks connecting over the shared desire to make food equality a reality in our city. We needed a bit of time to sit with our reflections and re-galvanise that positive energy before talking about all the wonderful things that happened at over those two weeks, as the couple of months have been challenging…

We lost a good friend, Feeding Bristol Trustee, and trailblazing local food justice advocate, Sara Venn, whose family are still in our thoughts. Sara’s son Noah is continuing to build her legacy with Edible Bristol – you can keep up to date on what’s happening here.

The crisis in the Middle East has affected some of our team personally, and at times somewhat deflated our sense of purpose. How can we muse on the potential of food to bring about positive change in Bristol when it’s being used to inflict the most unimaginable horrors on people elsewhere? When feeling an overwhelming sense of powerlessness, it can be difficult to find the words to talk about just, peaceful and compassionate futures. 

But we know that this is what real defeat looks like – a loss of hope that anything can or ever will change. Progress is made up of infinite positive actions of both miniscule and enormous impact, and for any of this to happen we must believe a better future is possible, here in Bristol and beyond. This is what spurred us to coordinate the Food Justice in Palestine open letter from individuals and organisations working in food. While it hasn’t changed government policy or even been brought to the Prime Minister’s attention in parliament, over 200 people (and counting) have signed the letter, demonstrating their solidarity with the people of Palestine and with people in our sector who are affected. Collectively, we have the power to do something, however small it might be.  

This mentality is at the core of Food Justice Fortnight and is one of the main reasons why we bring together organisations, communities and individuals over the two-week period. We strongly believe that a sense of connection and collective purpose is the most potent ingredient to build community resilience and bring about sustainable, long-term food equality, and that there’s no better way to do this than through sharing ideas over food. 

Food and Power in Bristol

This year’s theme was Food and Power, which invited participants to think about the power of food to build community and resilience in a system where we often associate power with oppression and injustice. Below is a very brief overview of how those conversations and ideas manifested at just some of the events hosted or co-hosted by Feeding Bristol: 

At the launch event we explored the meaning of power and its typical good vs. evil binaries. We explored what fuels good power and how food can be a tool to harness or unlock its potential.

At the Food, Power and Carnival event we deep dived into discussion about the power of collective joy and connection to build community – and how food is a key ingredient to show our common humanity in the face of division and injustice. This is rooted in St Pauls Carnival’s history – which we all agreed is Bristol’s original Food Justice event!

Photo by Caspar Day

The Shift Bristol event focused on modelling the power of collaboration to cultivate community resilience.

The power of looking after ourselves so we can look after our communities was a compelling thread in the Southmead Supper event.

The power of food education and the importance of power-sharing with children and young people anchored the Family Food Takeover event with The Children’s Kitchen and 91 Ways.

At the Hospi-Charity Supper Club the joyous conversations and incredible buffet made it clear how important (and delicious!) partnership work between hospitality and charity was – the potential for this network of feeders is huge!


The Refugee Women of Bristol event which celebrated the collective effort of the organisation’s members and volunteers showed us just how powerful it is to offer support to a group or project. The community that’s been built over the years was evident from the warmth, infectious laughter and dance moves that lit up the room!

The Gathering Table Summit on racial justice in the food system talked about the power within our communities to imagine a different food system, one that opts for reciprocity, care and joy over exploitation and violence.

The importance of open, nature friendly spaces being accessible to everyone was a powerful closing reflection to the fortnight of events at the Heart of BS13 official closing celebration at Hartcliffe City Farm.

Food having the power to show allyship and break down harmful narratives was brought to light at Food Justice Fortnight’s final event: the Serving Bristol Supper Club supporting gender affirmative care.

Powering through

With almost 30 events taking place over the two weeks, it’s impossible to sum up all of the conversations and themes, but the resounding feeling at each event was that of possibility. The appetite to work together and empower one other within and between communities was seen everywhere. It reminded us that are so many people in Bristol that want to see positive change for their communities and are doing so in many ways, and if we continue to make connections and make friends, then so much is possible. The key is to keep doing something, however small that might feel.

Doing nothing is the thing that exacerbates the feeling of disempowerment the most. Sara Venn knew this. She knew that with each seed planted, each person that feels good about growing a plant or vegetable, every individual who realises they are entitled to food that makes them feel good, each child that learns how important the soil beneath us is, is a small but confident step in the right direction. And many small steps taken by lots of us will have a bigger, more permanent impact than one big leap made by a few. 

Be part of the collective power!

Here are just a few ideas of ways to get involved in positive action in Bristol.