If you are a farmer, in or around London or interested in farming issues relevant to this area, please contact jeanette@sustainweb.org for more information.
October 2011
Cucumber festival a first
Thousands of people flocked to the first ever Great British Cucumber Festival held at Waltham Abbey, in Essex, last month.
The NFU supported Lea Valley Growers’ Association at the event celebrating the ‘Great British Cucumber’ on September 17. The Festival aimed to position home-grown cucumbers as tasty, safe and healthy, while boosting visitor numbers and increasing pride in horticulture within the area.
The event involved a number of different-themed areas covering topics such as food, health and beauty, crafts and even music. Visitors could sample drinks made from fruit and vegetables, visit the salad bar, enjoy the fun fair and find out about the centenary of the Lea Valley Growers’ Association.
Lee Stiles, group secretary of the Lee Valley Growers’ Association, said: "The Lea Valley produces over 75% of the UK`s cucumbers and is now becoming an important producer of peppers as well.
"The festival was all about reminding people about the importance of horticulture in this area and celebrating this success story."
Growers from the Lea Valley produce 1.2million cucumbers every week. The Lea Valley Growers’ Association has also applied to Europe for Protected Geographical Indication status for the Lea Valley Cucumber. To find out more about the festival go to www.cuefest.co.uk To view photos of the event click here
2012 Games are starting gun for better food standards
The Mayor of London is calling on the capital's restaurants, hotels and caterers to produce healthier meals from sustainable and British ingredients, as part of a new drive to help revitalise London's food sector. One in four London businesses sells food and the Mayor wants to use the higher food standards put in place for the 2012 Games to create a lasting legacy for this vital industry.
A total of 14 million meals will be served during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, across 40 locations, most of which are in London. The London 2012 food standards commit its caterers to use British, seasonal and farm assured foods, sustainably sourced fish and food produced to higher animal welfare standards. In addition, bananas, tea, coffee, chocolate and sugar will be Fairtrade and traditional cheese such as Cheddar must be British. Healthier cooking methods, such as grilling and steaming, will be used, and healthier meal options will be available for everyone.
The initiative involves a wide range of organisations including Defra, the London 2012 Games organisers, the London Food Board, NHS London, and food and farming bodies such as the NFU, Sustain, and Fairtrade London. It aims to use the 2012 Olympic food standards as a springboard for a permanent change in the UK catering industry. This will then benefit the food and farming industries and consumers, in the capital and further afield. The initiative will help match producer businesses that meet these higher food standards, with those wishing to source local, sustainable and good quality food.
Stimulating the demand for better food made locally, and helping existing businesses raise standards whilst still remaining profitable, will help this sector keep up with growing consumer demand for healthier and more sustainable food. First up to the starting line, signing up to a Food Legacy pledge to serve healthier and more sustainable food are caterers for the London 2012 Games, leading universities and several London restaurants.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: ‘Catering for the 2012 Games is a mammoth operation and a lot of hard work has gone into raising the standard of the meals that athletes, workers and spectators will consume. We want this to generate a step change in the commercial food sector, providing a boost for our food industry in terms of investment and jobs.'
Rosie Boycott is chair of the London Food Board that helps to implement the London Food Strategy. She said: ‘The London 2012 Games represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to inspire change through the adoption of good food standards for the ultimate benefit of Londoners and all those visiting our city to enjoy food. This work will create an important legacy which will stimulate the market for better quality food.'
The Food Legacy programme www.foodlegacy.org is inspired by the London 2012 Food Vision standards, the healthy and sustainable food standards adopted for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It has been set up by members of the London Food Board and is supported by national food and farming organisations, including the NFU and Sustain. The programme will work across the capital and nationwide, encouraging firms to 'go for gold' in food sourcing, preparation and staff training. It is aimed at businesses and organisations of all sizes and will provide support such as links to free, online services to help caterers find food suppliers that meet London 2012 food standards. The Food Legacy website will detail opportunities that food businesses can benefit from in the lead-up to the Games such as festivals, events training and ‘meet the buyer’ events.
Read about standards online at http://www.sustainweb.org/foodlegacy/london_2012_food_vision/ The full list of Food Legacy programme steering group members, partners and supporters is at: http://www.sustainweb.org/foodlegacy/whos_working_on_it/ Examples of caterers supporting the programme are at: http://www.sustainweb.org/foodlegacy/for_caterers/ The Mayor has already committed City Hall to adopting the London 2012 Food Vision standards, as have the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade and Transport for London. The London 2012 commitments show that good food can be achieved while still maintaining profit margins.
NFU presents case for Groceries Code Adjudicator to MPs
NFU President Peter Kendall joined industry representatives in giving evidence to a House of Commons committee on how a new Groceries Code Adjudicator would help put an end to unfair supply chain practices among the big supermarkets.
Mr Kendall spoke to the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee, which is scrutinising the government’s draft Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill, earlier this summer.
He was joined by Terry Jones, Director of Communications for the Food and Drink Federation, as well as Stewart Houston, Chairman of the National Pig Association.
Peter Kendall said: “We have campaigned for more than a decade on this issue and this meeting provided another opportunity for the NFU to emphasise how important it is that the Adjudicator is fit for purpose, helping to create a fairer functioning grocery supply chain.”
He told the committee that there was still considerable room for improvement in the draft Bill. In particular, he stressed the need for the Adjudicator to be given the power to take credible evidence from a wider range of sources, including representative bodies like the NFU, when deciding to launch an investigation into supermarket practices, and it should be able to impose fines on retailers found to be in breach of the code.
The Efra Select Committee recommended that the Adjudicator be given broader powers than those found in the draft Bill, such as allowing third parties like the NFU to make complaints on behalf of their members. The NFU has continued its lobbying on this matter this autumn.
Dropped B&Q suppliers get access to London markets
The NFU secured exclusive access to the capital’s biggest wholesale markets for growers affected by B&Q’s move to axe several suppliers at short notice.
Growers were given the opportunity through an extension of the Business Development Manager (BDM) programme, funded by the Greater London Authority and managed by the NFU.
The programme aims to increase the supply of local, regional and sustainable food by working with market traders and businesses within the supply chain. But it will now also cover British ornamentals in an attempt to assist those dropped by B&Q suppliers.
NFU chief horticulture and potatoes adviser Hayley Campbell-Gibbons said: ““The way that B&Q has treated these growers is disgraceful. Growers of ornamentals were dropped half way through the season, with little or no notice, having supplied the retail chain for many years, in some cases. This sort of treatment offers growers no confidence or stability to make reinvestments in their businesses for the longer term.”
A number of growers were understood to have been left with thousands of pounds worth of stock on their hands as a result of B&Q’s actions and were seeking alternative markets for their produce. As a result of this extension of the Business Development Manager programme, these affected growers were given the chance to access London’s biggest wholesale markets.
“Given that the Groceries Supply Code of Practice and, ultimately, its adjudicator won’t apply to the ornamentals sector, it raises the question of the need for a voluntary code of good trading practice for flowers and plants, which the NFU will actively pursue,” added Ms Campbell Gibbons.
Growers are urged to take advantage of the expertise of the business development managers at London’s three wholesale markets.
- New Spitalfields: Tim Williams: 07950 411513, timwilliams4@btconnect.com
- New Covent Garden Market: Zeenat Anjari, 07810 482547, zeenat@sustainweb.org
- Western International Market: Peter Clarke, 07947 764995, pclarkewim@aol.com
Three new farmers’ markets for London
Three new farmers’ markets opened in the capital last month, helping Londoners to buy fresh food direct from farmers and producers. There are now more than 20 weekly certified farmers’ markets in London.
The new markets are:
Balham Farmers’ Market – every Saturday 9am until 2pm at Chestnut Grove School, Chestnut Grove: http://www.lfm.org.uk/markets/balham/
Parson’s Green Farmers’ Market – every Sunday 10am until 2pm at New Kings School, New Kings Road: http://www.lfm.org.uk/markets/parsons-green/
Bloomsbury Farmers’ Market – every Thursday 9am until 2pm at Torrington Square / Byng Place, near the University of London Union: http://www.lfm.org.uk/markets/bloomsbury/
Queen Mary University students can shop at a seasonal farmers’ market in Mile End every Thursday, from 9am until 2pm, during University term time. Anyone who lives and works in the area is welcome, not just University staff and students. Follow this link: http://www.lfm.org.uk/markets/queen-mary/
For north Londoners, the newest market is in St Johns Wood - see http://www.lfm.org.uk/markets/st-johns-wood/
You can stay up to date by joining each market’s mailing list and Facebook page through the relevant links on www.lfm.org.uk and sign up for Twitter feeds. For further information on London farmers’ markets, email info@lfm.org.uk or ring: 0207 833 0338 and ask for Arthur, Cheryl or Mark.
SALSA - the certification scheme of choice
SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval scheme) has been confirmed as the most relevant food safety standard for micro and small food businesses in the UK.
An independent study, commissioned by SALSA, looked at the different food safety approval options available to fledgling and developing food businesses in the UK. It found that SALSA offered a structured approach to mentoring and an array of support tools before and after certification. These provided supplier and buyer businesses with sustainable food safety improvements.
The study also compared the content of standards, the costs of certification and the scope and scale of the requirements appropriate for different levels of product or consumer risk. In each area, SALSA was found to meet the needs of buyers, enforcement authorities and the producers themselves.
Some of the report’s key findings included:
- SALSA entirely appropriate as a ‘due-diligence’ defence for both supplier and buyer
- Auditors and mentors accredited to SALSA and registered with the IFST Professional Food Auditors & Mentors scheme
- Focus on improving standards of compliance as well as an understanding of the requirements for producing safe food
Ruth Mason, food chain adviser at the NFU, said: “It’s pleasing to see that SALSA has naturally become the certification scheme of choice for many national and regional buyers. It’s now recognised by the likes of Waitrose, leading contract caterer Elior, wholesale food supplier 3663, and Center Parcs which is fully supporting and using the scheme.
The SALSA scheme, launched in 2007, is an independent guarantee for buyers that the producers have met industry approved standards of food safety, legality and quality. SALSA is a non-profit making joint venture between the four main trade associations representing the UK Food Chain - from farm to fork – NFU, The Food and Drink Federation, The British Hospitality Association and The British Retail Consortium. Details on SALSA can be found at www.salsafood.co.uk
Lea Valley history project
Harris Digital Productions is working on a project to chart the history of growing in the Lea Valley. This work coincides with the centenary of the Lea Valley Growers’ Association, a specialist branch of the NFU. The area is renowned for its nursery industry and boasts a fascinating history. Horticulture has thrived here owing to the need for fresh produce in London and the area is conveniently located for New Covent Garden Market. Log on to www.leevalley.co.uk (note spelling of Lee) where you can find out more about commercial cucumber production, the growth of the clay flower pot industry, and horticulture during the Second World War. There is even a section on the pineapple – so many of these exotic fruits were grown here that the pineapple became the emblem of New Covent Garden Market! You can also read all about the great plant hunter Joseph Banks. Do help this project by offering to contribute old photos and film material via its website.
South East Food Group Partnership on the move
The South East Food Group Partnership has moved from its base at Havant in Hampshire to a new office in a more rural location in the county’s Meon valley. Its website address and email address remain the same – a new landline number will be allocated soon and this will be advised online at www.southeastenglandfoodanddrink.co.uk in due course.
The Garden at New Covent Garden
For details of the redevelopment of this historic London market, log on to www.newcoventgardenmarket.com You will also find some interesting blogs about Market life.
The Taste Space opens at Slow Food UK HQ
Slow Food UK has opened its first ever Slow Food shop – The Taste Space at its Neal’s Yard headquarters in the West End.
Filling the shelves are exceptional artisan products including Halen Mon Sea Salt from Anglesey, Kentish Cobnut Oil, Jersey Black Butter and many others including UK Ark of Taste products (see www.slowfoodfoundation.org) There are also international products from diverse and small-scale artisan producers, such as Guatemalan cardamom and Madagascan vanilla.
Look out for Slow Food UK branded merchandise, cookbooks and publications available for purchase and reference. The Taste Space will also act as a focal point, engagement space and meeting venue, with events such as tastings, book signings, chef presentations and talks by producers. All Slow Food UK members will receive a 15% discount. The Taste Space at 6 Neal’s Yard, London WC2H 9DP is open Monday to Friday from 10am until 5.30pm and on Saturdays, from 10am until 7pm.
Diary dates:
All dates are for events due to take place at London venues, unless otherwise stated.
Borough market, SE1 1TL - Thursdays 11am - 5pm, Fridays 12pm - 6pm and Saturdays 8am - 5pm. Apart from the week before Christmas, Borough Market is not open on Sundays. www.boroughmarket.org.uk
London farmers’ markets – see website for dates www.lfm.org.uk
Real Food Christmas Market, December 2/4 & December 16/18, 2011, South Bank Centre www.realfoodfestival.co.uk
Speciality and Fine Food Fair, September 2/4, 2012, Olympia (trade only) www.specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk/
More food and farming related events are listed on London Food Links events calendar http://www.sustainweb.org/londonfoodlink/events_calendar/ - upload details of your events here.
If you wish to be removed from this mailing list or would like to add another name/address to our contacts list, please contact London Food Link at Sustain - Jeanette Longfield jeanette@sustainweb.org tel: 0207 837 1228 or Isobel Bretherton at NFU SE isobel.bretherton@nfu.org.uk tel: 01730 711956.
July 2011
Food and Spatial Planning conference takes centre stage
Spatial planning in our towns, cities and countryside shapes the food system. Decisions on land use, about where food is grown and distributed, ultimately influence our food shopping and eating habits. This conference, Food and Spatial Planning, in the Pearson Building Lecture Theatre, at University College, London WC1E 6BT takes place on July 15 from 10am until 3.30pm. It is being hosted by Local Action on Food and the Royal Town Planning Institute. It will explore how planners, food and community organisations can use planning policy to help create a more sustainable food system. Themes will include retail diversity and supermarkets; healthy food environments; land use for urban and commercial food production. Speakers include representatives of Capital Growth, Local Action on Food and the NFU. Booking inquiries to Sustain suzanne@sustainweb.org or polly@sustainweb.org or ring: 0207 837 1228.
Lambeth Country Show
More than 180,000 Londoners will descend on Brockwell Park, Herne Hill, for the Lambeth Country Show this month (July 16/17). The NFU exhibit will be manned by friendly farmers who will be helping people to understand more about the origins of their food. Our exhibit will be situated near Brockwell Hall in the family farm zone. Visitors can expect to see a New Holland tractor, a display of laying hens, a crops display and the NFU South East exhibition unit, complete with a model dairy cow. We shall be giving away stickers and quiz books for youngsters - there is also a competition for kids to win Britains’ farm models. Adults can pick up a wealth of literature including Red Tractor recipe books (www.myredtractor.co.uk) and farm holiday brochures from Farmstay UK (www.farmstay.co.uk)
Growers – consider how you can supply wholesale markets
Growers are urged to take advantage of the expertise of the business development managers at London’s three wholesale markets. These three people are actively building relationships between market traders and growers, boosting the supply of local, regional and sustainable food into the capital. They are funded by the Greater London Authority until March 2012.
The plum season is nearly upon us and the season is likely to be a little earlier this year given the warm weather. Traders at Western International Market are already seeking English plums from Early Rivers to Victoria and Marjorie’s Seedling.
If you are interested in supplying wholesale markets, use these contacts below.
New Spitalfields – Tim Williams: 07950 411513, timwilliams4@btconnect.com
New Covent Garden Market: Zeenat Anjari, 07810 482547, zeenat@sustainweb.org
Western International Market: Peter Clarke, 07947 764995, pclarkewim@aol.com
Pickles unveils food hub
Essex MP Eric Pickles had an unusual ribbon to cut when he opened the new food hub at Ashlyns in High Laver near Ongar in Essex. Mr Pickles, Brentwood and Ongar MP, was asked to cut a ribbon made of fresh fruit and vegetables to mark the next stage in Ashlyns’ development, six years after Jamie Oliver opened its training kitchen.
Mr Pickles said: “I am so proud to have such an innovative and successful community based initiative within my constituency. I am sure, with the new facilities, this project will go from strength to strength.”
Ashlyns provides consultancy advice and catering partnerships to schools, hospitals, funded projects and private sector organisations. It currently feeds staff, patients and visitors from its cafes at St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping and the new Braintree Community Hospital.
Ashlyns also runs its ‘Can Cook Will Cook’ project, from the training kitchen. It works with children and their carers from disadvantaged backgrounds throughout Essex and North London, aiming to develop their skills in cookery, nutrition, numeracy and literacy.
Projects director Gary Stokes, said: “We remain committed to supplying local produce to schools from our suppliers based throughout Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk and the new food hub will help fulfil that commitment.” www.ashlyns.co.uk
Best of British display scores golden hat-trick
An innovative Best of British display of fresh flowers, plants and produce has scooped a hat-trick of gold medals at major flower shows this summer.
The display, Waitrose and NFU: Championing British exhibit, secured its third major honour of the summer at the world’s largest flower show - the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (July 5/10). This follows gold medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and BBC Gardeners’ World Live.
For each show, award-winning designer Penny Riley from East Sussex has re-created the stunning display, a partnership between the NFU and Waitrose. It is made up of a series of pavilions with a kitchen at its heart. An area of wild plants symbolises care of the environment by commercial growers. There are also beehives, a watercress-filled water feature and a patio area signifying outdoor eating.
NFU horticulture adviser Dr Chris Hartfield said: “To win one gold medal is an honour, to win two is a tremendous achievement but we’re all absolutely thrilled to win a third. The success is down to the high quality, seasonal produce British growers’ supply on a daily basis. It’s also testament to the hard work that Penny and her talented team have put in over the past few months.”
He added: “Our partnership with Waitrose has been a great success and the stand that has been on display has provided a fantastic opportunity to highlight to visitors the huge range and quality of British flowers, plants and produce that is available all year round.” Sue Steptoe, Waitrose Buying Manager Horticulture, said: “We are proud of our British growers and have been delighted to be able to showcase their wonderful produce at the RHS shows, winning three gold medals is the icing on the cake.”
Britain’s horticulture sector contributes £3 billion to the economy every year. The sector employs 57,000 workers.For more than 60 years, the NFU has provided a display of British-grown fruit, vegetables, flowers and plants at Royal Horticultural Society flower shows. http://www.rhs.org.uk/WhatsOn/Events/
Chichester lettuce farm to help McDonald’s with London 2012 Olympic challenge
Media and dignitaries have toured a West Sussex farm to discover how British and Irish produce will be on the menu during the London 2012 Olympics.
Guests including British Equestrian Champion and Olympic Silver Medallist, Pippa Funnell, members of the public, and local dignitaries, were given rare behind-the-scenes access to Langmead Farms. The farm supplies to Nature’s Way Foods, a world class salad and fruit supplier with headquarters near Chichester, which prepares and packages salads for McDonald’s restaurants nationwide.
The Chichester farm is one of the 17,500 British and Irish farms that supply food for the McDonald’s menu and which will provide meals for what will be the world’s largest peacetime catering operation in just over one year’s time.
Rural development in the Colne valley
Regular updates on action to support farming and food in the Colne Valley can be found online at www.colnevalleypark.org.uk
Lords debate food security
The House of Lords discussed the contribution British agriculture can make to the future of global food security during a debate in May. They discussed topics including:
• food research and development, including agronomy and GM crops, soil sciences and animal husbandry
• trade and export of food
• sustainable intensification
• supermarkets and fair trade in the UK and overseas
• food assistance to development countries
This month, the House of Lords also announced its findings following a year-long investigation into innovation into EU agriculture. They concluded that agricultural innovation must be at the heart of both Europe and the UK’s policy-making, in an effort to respond to a rising global population, to the challenges of climate change and to food price volatility. The House of Lords Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment EU Sub-Committee is strongly urging the EU to consider in an increase in investment in scientific research in agriculture. Lord Carter of Coles, Chair of the Committee, will be speaking about this report on July 12 at the Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum Keynote Seminar: UK food security and innovation in the food chain. For details contact Lizzie Sayer lizzie.sayer@westminsterforumprojects.co.uk or tel: 01344 864796.
The Garden at New Covent Garden
For details of the redevelopment of this historic London market, log on to www.newcoventgardenmarket.com You will also find some interesting blogs about Market life.
Bee movies urge Londoners to help urban bees
Londoners are being asked to come to the rescue of urban bees, in a major new Capital Growth campaign, backed by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. This includes Tube adverts and viral 'bee-movies' created by a premier, world-class advertising agency free of charge.
London Food chair Rosie Boycott donned a bee-keeping suit to inspect an urban bee hive and its residents, while unveiling the innovative campaign visuals in East London. She was joined by the hive's beekeeper, Gustavo Montes De Oca of the Golden Company, and winners of Capital Growth's community bee competition. Capital Growth has provided 50 London communities with bee hives and training, highlighting how important bees are to urban food growing.
Bees and bee hives are good for London's quality of life in a number of ways. Bees visit the flowers in our gardens, allotments, and parks, ensuring green city spaces thrive through pollination. This helps create a beautiful and productive capital city. Therefore, it is a natural extension of the existing Capital Growth project to champion food growing and beekeeping to improve quality of life in London. There are also enterprise opportunities that arise from beekeeping.
This summer the Capital Growth campaign has also celebrated the opening of its 1000th food growing plot on the roof of a supermarket in Crouch End. This inspirational community food garden is teeming with fresh produce and is located on the roof of a Budgens store. Budgens staff volunteer in the garden.
Diary dates:
All dates are for events due to take place at London venues, unless otherwise stated.
Local Loaves for Lammas - on and around 1st August
Do you supply grain to a local mill for bread making flour? If so, it's time to let the Real Bread Campaign help you to let the people know about your Local Loaves for Lammas. This is the Campaign's major annual drive to encourage everyone in Britain to buy a locally-produced additive-free loaf, or to bake one at home. Post your details for free on the events calendar on www.realbreadcampaign.org
Speciality and Fine Food Fair, Olympia – September 4/6, 2011 www.specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk
London farmers’ markets – see website for dates www.lfm.org.uk
More food and farming related events are listed on London Food Links events calendar http://www.sustainweb.org/londonfoodlink/events_calendar/ - you can also upload details of your event there.
April 2011
Boost for scheme that helps growers supply wholesale markets
A scheme that helps and encourages growers to supply London's wholesale markets has been guaranteed funding for another year. The scheme, the Business Development Managers (BDM) programme, works by employing business development managers at the wholesale markets to build relationships between market traders and growers. It aims to increase the supply of local, regional and sustainable food into the capital.
But earlier this year, the future of the programme - launched in 2007 as part of the London mayor's food strategy - was hanging in the balance.This is because the Greater London Authority (GLA) had only guaranteed funding for three years. However, the GLA, despite being under pressure to cut costs, has agreed to fund the £220,000-a-year programme until March 2012. Meanwhile, Defra has also made the future of the scheme look promising by agreeing to fund a six-month feasibility study into the future of the programme.
It is assessing how the scheme could be rolled out nationwide following a recommendation made last year by its Fruit and Vegetable Task Force. The scheme currently operates out of New Covent Garden Market, Western International Market and New Spitalfields Market. It is also set to operate from Billingsgate market after receiving funding from the European Fisheries Fund.Other potential sources of funding are being explored in order to help the programme continue beyond March 2012.
Rosie Boycott, chair of the London Food Board, which advises the mayor, said: "Until this scheme was put in place many smaller producers had been steadily squeezed out of wholesale markets - it was just not worth their while to get small quantities of stuff out to places like this. But we have been able to develop the programme because of the momentum we have developed across all of the markets. We always have had this vision, but it's taken some time to become a reality."
Last year, the project supported 184 fresh producers and wholesalers, created additional private sector jobs and produced an increased net turnover of £10m. The average increase in business turnover is £110,000.
If you are interested in supplying wholesale markets, use these contacts below.
New Spitalfields – Tim Williams: 07950 411513, timwilliams4@btconnect.com
New Covent Garden Market: Zeenat Anjari, 07810 482547, zeenat@sustainweb.org
Western International Market: Peter Clarke, 07947 764995, pclarkewim@aol.com
Western International’s ‘wanted list’
Wholesalers at Western International Market, near Heathrow, have put together a ‘wanted list’ of seasonal UK produce. They are seeking to build links with growers of the following:
Dessert apples
Chillies
Courgettes
Cucumbers
Eggs
LEAF certified produce
Pears
Peas in the pod
Plums
Pre-packed organic goods
Potatoes for peeling
Runner beans
Strawberries
Tomatoes
To investigate opportunities further, please contact the market’s business development manager, Peter Clarke Tel: 07947 764 995 or email pclarkewim@aol.com
Sustainable Restaurant Association
Last month, 15 farmers, growers and food producers attended a seminar in Surrey hosted by the South East Food Group Partnership and the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) http://thesra.org/ The SRA accredits restaurants that source sustainable products and operate in a sustainable way. Most of their affiliated businesses are based in London. The debate mainly centred on the definition of ‘sustainable food’ and how to get it into London restaurants. The SRA is going to progress its definition of a sustainable food producer and consider how to promote its new business contacts to its accredited restaurants. The SRA has also expressed an interest in working with the proposed London Food Hub. If you would like to get involved or receive more information, contact the South East Food Group Partnership on tel: 02392 452288 or via www.sefgp.co.uk
Rural development in the Colne valley
Regular updates on action to support farming and food in the Colne Valley can be found online at www.colnevalleypark.org.uk
London Food Hub - latest
Support among food producers for a proposed London Food Hub is overwhelming.The South East Food Group Partnership is managing this project proposal and has been canvassing food producers for their views, as part of its business planning phase.
Producers envisage that a hub would provide a coordinated sales and distribution service for food destined for London. More than nine out of ten producers (99%) who responded to a survey said that they wanted to tap into new markets in London, but claimed they need support to do so.Keep up to date online at: www.londonfoodhub.co.uk
The Garden at New Covent Garden
Good progress is being made towards the redevelopment of New Covent Garden Market, to create ‘The Garden’.
This new modern fresh produce and flower market will also provide educational and community facilities. Covent Garden Market Authority (CGMA) is responsible for the ownership and operation of New Covent Garden Market and is accountable to Defra. There is strong support at all levels for this redevelopment, including backing from Agriculture Minister Jim Paice. CGMA will fund the creation of the new market through the development of areas not needed for market use, including the northern site where the current flower market is located.
For details log on to www.newcoventgardenmarket.com
Farm Resource Improvement Programme (South East & London)
The South East England Development Agency is running a Farm Resource Improvement Programme (FRIP). It has been developed to help farmers and horticultural businesses in the South East of England and London to:
* Reduce energy usage
* Improve the management of manures/farm nutrients
* Improve animal health and welfare
* Improve water resource management
FRIP is a sub-programme of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). Round 4 of this programme closed at the end of January, but there may be future rounds. For more information: http://www.seeda.co.uk/what-we-do/european-investment/farm-resource-improvement-programme
RDPE Network News
Operation of the rural development programme (except for agri environment schemes) will transfer into Defra following the abolition of the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs). Until these changes are implemented, the RDAs will continue to be the first point of contact for stakeholders. As more information becomes available it will be added to the website.
Following the RDPE Network's transfer into Defra there is a new e-mail address: rdpenetwork@defra.gsi.gov.uk. Please update your records - the old address will be turned off soon!
Network Action Plan 2011-12. The RDPE wants to hear from you! Shortly they will be planning activities for the year ahead. Please get in touch if you have any specific ideas for ways they can help you make the most of RDPE. You can get in touch via e-mail, phone or Twitter
Farm Business regional workshops The Farm Business Survey (FBS) units around the country are holding a series of one-day workshops in Spring 2011 to publicise the use, extent and availability of FBS data.
Government Buying Standards
Next month, Government is expected to publish ‘Government Buying Standards’ that will set out compulsory standards for food purchased by public sector institutions controlled by Whitehall. (This includes around one third of all public sector institutions in England). As a first step, the standards will mean that all meat, dairy and vegetables have to meet the ‘farm assured’ standard of production. To keep up to date with developments follow the Good Food for Our Money campaign http://www.sustainweb.org/goodfoodforourmoney/ and look out for articles on the food chain section of NFU online www.nfuonline.com
Chelsea Flower Show partnership announced by NFU and Waitrose
The NFU and Waitrose are proud to announce they’re joining forces for displays at three Royal Horticulture Society shows this summer. This includes an appearance at Chelsea Flower Show (May 24/28), where the NFU has previously won 14 RHS Gold medals. The stand, “Waitrose and the NFU: Championing British” – will be using the best home-grown produce, flowers and plants. After Chelsea, East Sussex-based designer Penny Riley will go on to recreate the display at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (June 15-19) in the midlands and Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (July 5-10).
This year’s stand will highlight the huge diversity of seasonal produce from growers across the UK and is likely to range from exotic orchids to oriental mushrooms, and includes all the favourites you'd expect to see - like piles of fresh sweet-smelling strawberries. Last year’s award-winning display was arranged in a series of pyramids set in hexagonal islands depicting a number of different horticulture micro-climates.
For more than 60 years, the NFU has provided a display of British-grown fruit, vegetables, flowers and plants at Royal Horticultural Society flower shows. http://www.rhs.org.uk/WhatsOn/Events/
Local Food Finder re-launch - free listings for ethical producers and suppliers
London Food Link's Local Food Finder provides online information for restaurants and caterers to help them find great small-scale, local, ethical suppliers. It is due to be re-launched in the summer, and will be promoted to network of over 1000 restaurants and caterers in the capital with an interest in sustainability. Growers, producers and suppliers can be listed on the Local Food Finder for FREE by visiting http://www.sustainweb.org/londonfoodlink/lff_updates/ - click on ‘Option 3’. Contact Emily Crawley on: 0207 837 1228 or localfood@sustainweb.org for more information.
Bramley feast ideas
Why not celebrate the historic occasion of Kate and Will’s wedding with a Bramley feast fit for a prince? The king of cooking apples is a quintessentially British product with a unique tangy flavour and light airy texture; the perfect ingredient for a Royal feast. Follow this link for recipes www.bramleyapples.co.uk
Diary dates:
All dates are for events due to take place at London venues, unless otherwise stated.
London farmers’ markets – see website for dates www.lfm.org.uk
More food and farming related events are listed on London Food Links events calendar http://www.sustainweb.org/londonfoodlink/events_calendar/ - you can also upload details of your event there.
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