THE rising number of food banks, poverty and unequal access to good food in Scotland and the rest of the Commonwealth is to be top of the agenda at a major food conference opening today.

Billed as the first conference of its kind in the UK, the two day event has attracted hundreds of delegates from all over the country and an impressive range of speakers, including farmers from Scotland, India, Malawi and Trinidad and Tobago, and experts on food banks, food poverty, and diverse aspects of public health, nutrition and food security. Oxfam Scotland, the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, the Scottish Human Rights Forum, the National Farmers Union Scotland, and the Scottish Government are also represented.

Glasgow City Council and housing group Wheatley will also be present at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall alongside guests at the "sharp end of food poverty".

Organiser Pete Ritchie, director of Nourish Scotland and a farmer in his own right, said: "There is enough food for everyone, but while more than a quarter of Scots are obese many others go hungry. At the same time, we're importing and eating huge volumes of processed food from other countries. The way we do food in Scotland has to change.

"With thousands of Scots using food banks and going without food while Scotland's food and drink exports are booming, questions have to asked, and solutions offered, as to how we resolve this problem.

"The referendum debate showed there's a huge desire to make Scotland a better place. The UK government might not be dealing with it, but it's a great opportunity for Scotland because it's a small country with a hugely strong civic infrastructure of credit unions, housing associations and development trusts."

Dee Flanigan of the Scottish Human Rights Commission will address the conference.

She said: "The human rights movement rests on the recognition that people are not merely recipients of welfare, charity and goodwill but holders of rights.

"Clearly, that includes freedom from hunger and access to sufficient nutritious food."