How ethical is your chocolate?
Campaign group Trading Visions has assessed all the main chocolate companies in the UK market on their progress towards a more sustainable chocolate supply chain. The measures used by the scorecard focus on corporate citizenship, social justice and environmental impact. Divine Chocolate comes out top, whereas Mars and Hershey scored the worst. Check how your favourite measures up at www.tradingvisions.org/downloads/ChocolateScorecard2011.pdf
Online map of orchards in London
The Greater London Authority recently commissioned a report to identify orchards in London. Building on this, the Heritage Lottery Funded project ‘Rediscovering London's Lost Orchard Heritage’ is launching an online map on 1 September that volunteers will use to verify and update information used in the report. Users will be encouraged to visit the orchards identified, take pictures, comment on tree and fruit varieties and then upload them to the map. www.thelondonorchardproject.org
A future for eels
At the end of this year Londoners (and the rest of Britain) will be able to enjoy eels from sustainable sources through a new label. The first accreditation for our eponymous fish is from the Sustainable Eel group. Eel stocks have declined by 90 per cent over 30 years and are currently on the MCS ‘red list’ of fish to avoid eating. www.sustainableeelgroup.com
London's best coffee: the APP!
This new app, available on iPhone and Android, is a great way to find independent cafés and stalls selling locally-roasted coffee in London. The features include a map of cafés, stalls and roasteries, details on the machines and the beans each independent uses, the ability to rate the places you’ve visited and links to buy the roasts you like most. Download it here www.londonsbestcoffee.co.uk/#a22/custom_plain
Schools of sustainable fish
At the time of going to press over 188,000 students will be served sustainable fish, as thirteen leading London universities have now made the Sustainable Fish City pledge. Tim Lang, Professor of Food Policy at City University, one of the participating establishments, has said: “What better way to demonstrate to our policy-makers of the future that sustainable fish is delicious, achievable and affordable than to serve it in university canteens, and promote this to staff and students.” The universities taking part also include Imperial, Greenwich, The School of Oriental and African Studies, UCL, and the Institute of Education (see our article on some of Greenwich’s other catering triumphs at www.thejelliedeel.org). www.tinyurl.com/sfc188000
One good egg
100 per cent of the profits from sales of this new brand of organic, free range UK eggs are donated to fund community egg-farming projects in Malawi. Communities are provided with hens, equipment and training in hen husbandry, in order to provide nutritious food for families, and a sustainable source of income. Look out for One Good Egg in their eye-catching blue boxes. www.onedifference.org
Calling all community beehives
If you run an existing community apiary (of five or more people) Capital Bee (see article 177) may be able to help by sponsoring either an existing queen or a new queen up to spring 2012, and providing new hive tools. Email mikey@sustainweb.org or call 020 7837 1228 for more details. Successful applicants also receive great discounts from companies such as Organic Garden Catalogue, Duchy Originals, Dandy’s Topsoil, B&Q, and Rocket Gardens.
Real Food Safari
Real Food Safari is a new company offering food tours and 'experiences' which showcase Kent's local produce and countryside. Tours include wild mushroom foraging in the Ashdown forest, fishing in Ramsgate, and a Game Safari complete with butchery demonstration. www.realfoodsafari.co.uk
‘Show what you grow’ competition
Wine company Cono Sur is rewarding urban food growers with free wine! Simply photograph your home-grown produce and submit it for your chance to win. The best three photos each week will win a bottle of wine.
