Council is backing motion proposing right to food district

Council is backing motion proposing right to food district

15 May 2024

NEWRY, Mourne and Down Council has backed a proposal calling for the local area to be designated a so-called “right to food district”.

There was unanimous support for the proposal tabled at last week’s mostly meeting of the local authority by Downpatrick councillor Conor Galbraith.

He believes that poverty isn’t inevitable but, rather, a political choice.

Cllr Galbraith said he tabled the motion to recognise that access to food should be a basic human right for everyone across the district and that the local authority must continue striving to respond to the hunger that exists in communities, while calling on the government to tackle the issue head on. 

He explained the “right to food” campaign believes this is achievable by formulating policies and implementing measures such as universal free school meals, support for community kitchens and calling on the government to enshrine the right to food in legislation.  

Cllr Galbraith said that in 2024, no child should be going hungry and no family forced to rely on foodbanks to feed themselves and their children. 

“Yet many more are and many more sadly will,” he continued.

“I have talked to organisations such as The Fountain Foodbank in Downpatrick which has described some of the issues that individuals and families face right now and it is unacceptable that one in five children are experiencing poverty.”

Cllr Galbraith said it is unacceptable that a large percentage of households are unable to afford the basic items. 

“Enough is enough,” he declared. 

“Newry, Mourne and Down Council has a responsibility to tackle poverty and to also hold the NI Executive to account for failing to implement an anti-poverty strategy that would pull so many out of hardship, ensuring the right to food as a priority for all.”

Cllr Galbraith has also welcomed confirmation that new Eurospar in Downpatrick is going to sponsor a school poster competition to help launch the right to food campaign.