Carlisle are on a journey to become a Food City and aim to be a beacon of good practice, nationally inspiring others particularly smaller towns, cities or counties. We believe in working with our food producers, suppliers, transporters and local food establishments to make Carlisle a recognised high quality food city.
We want to create a city where good food flourishes and where we work in partnership to empower change towards a vibrant and inclusive food culture. We want every setting: school, nursery, college, hospital, care home, cafe, restaurant and workplace to serve healthy, sustainable, delicious food. We want to start a local food revolution and share learning to assist other places to recognise the value of working in this way.
Carlisle were shortlisted and became a founding member of the Sustainable Food Cities Network. in August 2013. We have developed a Charter and an action plan to advance this work and projects throughout the city.
Food is central to our lives. With good local food we can achieve better health, reduce the impact of poverty and build a more sustainable local economy and society. The Carlisle Food Charter has been developed with our key partners, stakeholders and communities, and sets out what we want to achieve in Carlisle, so that everyone benefits from having “good local food for all”. We want as many people and organisations as possible to endorse the Charter and proactively work with us in making Carlisle a fantastic food city with a flourishing food culture.
If you're involved in a food related project around these aims within the Carlisle district and you're interested in working with us, please contact us.
This video gives a snapshot of the progress so far and some of the emerging projects and activities.
We began the “Food Carlisle” journey in late 2012, with an initial exploratory meeting with key partners.
Friday, 8 March 2013 - Carlisle Partnership, Carlisle College and Carlisle City Council held a free event to explore the ideas of developing Carlisle as a Sustainable Food City.
Friday, 10 May 2013 - Steering group established.
Tuesday, 6 August 2013 - Carlisle were shortlisted as a founding sustainable food city (top 13) from over 50 other cities.
18-21 August 2013 - Carlisle Pageant hosted a Best of Carlisle market and food fayre. (YouTube video)
Thursday, 24 July 2014 - The Food Carlisle Steering Group work was promoted at the Carlisle Partnership AGM. The Carlisle Food Charter ( and video) was officially launched.
17- 20 August 2014 Carlisle Pageant hosted a Best of Carlisle market supported by local food producers and businesses
August 2015 Carlisle Pageant repeated the Best of Carlisle market supported by local food producers and businesses
August 2015 Food research on the local food supply chain started
Jan 2016 Food map posted onto our website
June 2016 Carlisle Ambassadors celebrated 'give a day' with a giant free tea party in the centre of Carlisle
Oct 2016 Carlisle Foodie Fest was held in the town centre with chef demonstrations from Sean Wilson and Michael Caines and food demonstrations from several local producers
Nov 2016 Local producers set up food stalls in the city centre as part of the Christmas Lights switch on