Good food economy

Good food can boost our economy, provide good jobs, enhance our society and countryside

Good food can help us connect with our fellow citizens and feel proud of where we live. Good food is healthy, fair, and sustainable.

In the context of Gateshead Food Partnership, this means people having access to a diverse mixture of food enterprises that vary in size and in the types of people who own and run them.

These enterprises are providing healthy, affordable food that reduce impact on climate and nature, celebrating local and cultural food choices, boosting our local economy.

Gateshead Food Partnership aims to support local food businesses and facilitate growth in this area of Gateshead’s economy.

It might be through local food markets and fairs, mapping and promoting buying local, or helping producers find new routes to market through procurement from public sector organisations.



This is a new area of work: please get in touch if you have ideas or would like to help develop projects like these. 

JR Holland

JR Holland Produce has an inspiring story that dates back to 1983 when it was founded by the passionate John Holland! This incredible family-owned business, proudly operating from the bustling Team Valley Trading Estate in Gateshead, has transformed from a humble fruit and vegetable wholesaler into the largest importer and distributor of fresh produce in the North of England! 

Every single day, JR Holland Produce brings the freshest fruits and vegetables to independent retailers, convenience stores, secondary wholesalers, and catering suppliers across the North of England! With a dynamic team of over 100 enthusiastic employees, they supply a whopping 5.2 million packages of fresh produce a year, reaching customers from the picturesque Scottish Borders all the way down to vibrant Leeds!

Gateshead Exchange 

Gateshead Exchange is designed to bring suppliers, schools, colleges, community groups and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) together to provide social value to the communities of Gateshead.



Local voluntary organisations, social enterprises, schools and community groups submit a 'Request support' form detailing their needs. 

Procurers and suppliers of Gateshead Council can view this list on the Gateshead Exchange and tailor their social-value offers to the needs of Gateshead. Organisations can also help by submitting an 'Offer Support' form.

By using Gateshead Exchange, we can identify the needs in Gateshead, enabling the offers of support to be focused on what is needed most to help Gateshead to thrive.

Gibside Community Farm 

Gibside Community Farm is a Community Supported Agriculture scheme based in Gateshead, established as a member co-operative Community Interest Company in 2013.



With a tenancy of a 14 acre (5.8ha) field from the National Trust, they operate a vegetable bag scheme, and stall at Gibside Estate, and wholesale to some local vegetable bag schemes

Certified as Organic through Soil Association, they only sell seasonal vegetables.



Gibside’s Work Share scheme and volunteers provide the majority of labour and they employ some casual paid workers.