To ask the Minister for Communities how the Food Action Plan aims to address (i) social inclusion; and (ii) access to affordable, nutritious food for all communities.

The Department for Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs are the lead Department for the Executive’s Northern Ireland Food Strategy Framework Action Plan.

My Department is lead for one action within it under the Addressing Food Inequalities theme which commits to utilising the community-based interventions we support to promote healthy eating messaging, and awareness of how to store, prepare, cook food and minimise waste. To this end, my officials will be working with colleagues across Departments to identify opportunities to utilise our networks to promote and support this agenda. My Department will also collaborate with other action leads, where possible, to address social inclusion and access to food – particularly where there are opportunities to reduce poverty.