In this week’s column FoodFutures coordinator, Anna Clayton, shares reflections on 2026’s Spring Into Action programme of events.
Between 20 April – 2 May 2026 approximately 665 people attended 19 events coordinated by people across North Lancashire and the FoodFutures network.
Although I didn’t manage to attend all 19 Spring Into Action events (!), those I did join left me feeling inspired, well fed and having met some new people or having learnt something that will shape my approach to doing food going forwards.
I also came away with appreciation for Halton’s amazing skate park, a loaf of bread and a tarpaulin and some seeds to sow.
The fortnight involved many meetings and gatherings (often over food), to share skills, knowledge and ideas; or simply to just share food with friends and strangers and to plan how to do more of this!
For example: People met for a picnic at Claver Hill to start planning ‘Share the harvest’ activities in September e.g. apple picking and juicing.
Community meal organisers met to share food and to plan how to support one another to organise more community meals!
And a range of amazing individuals linked to a wider range of organisations, met to share food and think through how they can support each other’s work more during the current challenging times in order to help build a more regenerative local economy.
A small group gathered at Stanleys Community centre in Morecambe for a shared meal and to learn about their food club, allotment growing, compost demonstration site, cooking classes, community meals and wider activities.
The enthusiasm of the Stanley’s team was infectious!
People gathered in Halton to learn about edible plants along the river Lune and to share a community meal and try local cider.
Some attended a talk with the Lune Valley beekeepers to learn about Asian hornets and their potential impact on local pollinators and food growing; or joined a session to learn about how to get more involved with the FoodFutures partnership and network.
Some people also gathered on a sunny day at Halton community centre to share and map their stories, favourite places or dreams for Halton.
Composters at Cork Road allotments shared their approach to turning Eggcup’s organic food waste into compost that then goes back to soils to grow more food.
Friends of Uggle lane offered a guided walk around their beautiful green space before a well attended Green Spaces Forum where Summerhouse Community Farm introduced itself for the first time.
And the quarterly FoodFutures partnership meeting ofefred much food for thought following a discussion on ethical fundraising.
If you joined any of the 2026 Spring Into Action activities, we would love to hear your feedback.
What did you enjoy and what could be improved next year?
You can share your feedback via email to foodfutures@lessuk.org or via this google form.
