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“We welcome the commitment of local authorities to help Britain’s farmers flourish. There are so many simple ways that this can be done, and many of London’s Boroughs are already working on them. Each and every action makes a real difference to good livelihoods in farming.” Lee Woodger, Head of Food Chain for the National Farmers’ Union, and member of the London Food Board |
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Many actions outlined on this website will help to secure a better livelihood for the farmers and food producers on whom we all depend. London Boroughs can help to improve the prospects for farmers and food producers by, for example:
- Supporting Capital Growth, and integrating food growing into your local planning policies. This will create food growing spaces for community food growing, and also support larger plots for commercial food production. Many London Boroughs also look after Green Belt land, so boroughs can help farming businesses to thrive by protecting that land for food growing and allowing sensible infrastructure development to support farm viability.
- Adopting Food for Life standards for school meals. At a Bronze level award this means you will be serving Red Tractor farm assured food, with increasing support for local, seasonal and sustainably produced food as you work up towards a Silver or Gold award.
- Buying food produced to higher standards of animal welfare. This supports those farmers who comply with higher standards and have made the extra effort to produce more ethical food.
- Diverting at least some food waste to animal feed (where possible). As well as helping British producers reduce the rising costs of raising livestock, this will also reduce waste and cut down on environmentally damaging animal feed imports.
- Promoting markets and farmers’ markets. This creates opportunities for food producers to connect directly with their urban customers, leading to greater appreciation of where food comes from and more loyal support for sustainably produced food. And by buying food for local authority catering with the support of a Business Development Manager at a London wholesale market, you will be helping to secure reliable markets for more local and sustainably produced food. You can also commit to making prompt payments, which will help farmers remain viable.
- Making a Food Legacy commitment, inspired by the London 2012 Food Vision. You will be making a public statement of support for producers of good food, and inspiring others to join in.
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“There is huge potential for local communities to help create a better food system, by trading in sustainable food. Local enterprises are particularly well placed to provide the enthusiastic community-based marketing to build loyal support for vegetable box schemes, horticultural enterprises and farmers' markets, providing long-term support for farmers and for sustainable farming practices. Local authorities can help community trading enterprises succeed by making land and premises available, and at an affordable price. They can also help by prioritising such enterprises in local retail, health and planning policies, and through an explicitly supportive approach to practical issues such as trading standards, environmental health, trading licences, leases, signage and promotion to local residents.” Julie Brown, Growing Communities, which runs a successful community-led food trading enterprise in Hackney, and supports other communities to start their own, also a member of the London Food Board |
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