The health consequences of household food insecurity are long term, severe and expensive.

We are looking to commission an organisation to analyse and measure food insecurity in West Lancashire so that we can be clear about who is affected and can target policy and resources on prevention.

The scope of the brief will be as follows; • To establish a better understanding of who is using food banks in the Borough and to provide insight into potential gaps in access to them or gaps in accessing sufficient welfare support. • To evaluate the socio demographic and household characteristics of households in the borough subject to food insecurity creating a clear understanding of the local picture. • To understand the severity and chronicity of household food insecurity and how often people are receiving assistance from food banks and other supporting agencies • To establish the economic status of those facing insecurity • Establish and asses the current support and provision already available in the Borough to address the issues. • To consider the health implications of those living with food insecurity.

In addition the following will need to be considered, • The steps the Borough can take to prevent food inequality. • How the Borough can make the best use of the services and approaches already available and respond more effectively.

This will include looking at a range of services in the local area. • Identify opportunities for communities across the borough to grow their own food, either through the Community Food Growing network, West Lancashire Allotment Federation, primary and secondary schools. • How community centres and voluntary organisations can support the local Birchwood Junk Food Cafe model and divert supermarket waste food from landfill. • How the Borough can invest in longer term sustainable solutions.

This will look at what more can be done to make people less reliant on food banks and alternatives. • Identify prevention opportunities through financial inclusion and other initiatives. • To identify long term sustainable models to prevent food insecurity.

The Council is looking for potential suppliers from to express their interest in the opportunity.

Following expressions of interest the Council may approach relevant providers to formalise a quote for the work required.

Consultants should able to provide the Council with the following; • Strong analytical skills and the ability to co-ordinate inputs from other consultants to inform the overall economic and financial impact. • Technical expertise and problem solving skills with the ability to identify practical, cost effective solutions and provide a clear explanation of any options. • Suitably qualified and able to use both quantative and qualative data.

As part of the process we anticipate the establishment of a series of stakeholder workshops with different stakeholder groups to develop an understanding and commence the check and challenge process and share emerging findin