The award honors communities that actively work to reduce food waste, combat food insecurity, and encourage healthy eating.

Community Efforts Drive Recognition

Laurissa Papprill, a volunteer at the town's Regeneration of Communities allotments, highlighted the impact of local food initiatives. She noted that for some residents, the fresh produce grown in community spaces may be the only healthy food they have access to. Any surplus from her allotment is donated to community shops or shared with those in need.

"Anyone who visits the allotment leaves with some food," Papprill said. "At least this way, they get fresh, chemical-free produce."

Tackling Waste and Food Poverty

Beyond community growing projects, initiatives like Connections Community Café on Linthorpe Road play a vital role in Middlesbrough's sustainability efforts. The café offers affordable meals and operates a shop stocked with surplus food recovered from supermarkets—items that would otherwise go to waste due to minor packaging errors or aesthetic imperfections.

Alex Young, from Middlesbrough Environment City, stressed the importance of reducing unnecessary food waste. "Most people don't care if a carrot isn't perfect, as long as it's good to eat," she explained.

A Model for Food Sustainability

Sustainable Food Places values collaboration between local organizations when awarding its top accolade, and Middlesbrough's efforts reflect a community-wide commitment to sustainable and accessible food. The town's achievement sets a new benchmark, proving that smaller communities can lead the way in creating fairer, more sustainable food systems.