Co-operative spirit in the air at Greenbelt Festival
![Co-operative spirit in the air at Greenbelt Festival](/content/images/size/w2000/2019/08/ACJMEDIA240819049.jpg)
We were proud to link-up with the Co-op Party to talk about the issue of food justice as part of the annual Greenbelt Festival.
![](https://www.membershipmatters.coop/content/images/2019/08/ACJMEDIA240819014.jpg)
Thousands of people from across the country descended on Broughton House, in Northamptonshire, for four days of arts, faith and justice related activities.
![](https://www.membershipmatters.coop/content/images/2019/08/ACJMEDIA240819001.jpg)
Central England Co-op took up residence in The Exchange and wowed the crowds with a series of talks about everything from the history of co-ops to an in-depth look at the future of the high street.
Among the people who took to the stage were:
· CEC CR Manager Hannah Gallimore and Simone Connolly, from FareShare East Midlands, discussed the pioneering link-up between both organisations to tackle the issue of food waste and support those in need at the same time
![](https://www.membershipmatters.coop/content/images/2019/08/ACJMEDIA240819015.jpg)
· Richard Bickle, CEC Board Director, looked at the impact co-ops have on the British economy and what make them unique and effective
![](https://www.membershipmatters.coop/content/images/2019/08/ACJMEDIA240819028.jpg)
· Debbie Robinson, Central England Co-op Chief Executive, took to the stage to talk about what it means for a retailer to have a positive ethos and why it is working with the Co-op Party on this important campaign
![](https://www.membershipmatters.coop/content/images/2019/08/ACJMEDIA240819042.jpg)
Volunteers were also on hand to encourage visitors to the festival to support the Co-op Party's food justice campaign - based around highlighting the issues of poverty across the UK and tackling hunger at home through the launch of a Food Bill in England and in Scotland - by signing a petition over the weekend.
We can reveal that over 800 people signed the petition over the weekend!
![](https://www.membershipmatters.coop/content/images/2019/08/ACJMEDIA240819049-1.jpg)
Everyone at Central England Co-op would like to say a big thank you to anyone who came along and supported us at Greenbelt and helped further our efforts, and the efforts of the Co-op Party, to take on the issue of food justice.
Anyone who would like to find our more about the food justice campaign can do so via this link: https://party.coop/campaign/food-justice/