If you are a farmer, in or around London or interested in farming issues relevant to this area, please contact rosie@sustainweb.org for more information.
October 2010
Best public sector caterers to be rewarded
Caterers at London’s hospitals, schools, universities and those in local government could scoop a prestigious Good Food on a Public Plate Award if they are using seasonal, fresh, local or organic produce. The Awards will be presented in November at London’s City Hall by London Food Board chair Rosie Boycott, the Mayor of London’s food adviser.
The Awards celebrate the way in which London’s public sector workers and institutions have boosted the amount of sustainable food served by London’s hospitals, schools, universities, local authorities and other government-run bodies.
The awards are run by Good Food on the Public Plate – a project led by Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.
Project officer Rosie Blackburn explains: “The Awards are open to all public sector organisations in London who can demonstrate they are increasing the sustainability of food served as part of an ongoing commitment. Last year’s winners showed how catering departments are imaginatively responding to tightening budgets and rising food prices, using sustainable, tasty food. We know there are more caterers across London that are either already doing this or working towards it. We want to highlight those caterers and also recognise the amazing individuals involved who are working so hard, but who generally don’t get any public acknowledgement for what they’re doing.”
London Food Board chair Rosie Boycott said: “This is a fantastically successful project and this year’s Awards are bound to inspire Londoners to make the food that they serve more sustainable. Winning an award gives a well-deserved reward to the people who are doing wonderful work already and show how even more can be done to serve seasonal, fresh, local or organic produce.”
The 2009 Award winners included the Metropolitan Police Service who switched to using only free-range eggs and several local authorities who ensured their menus made use of seasonal produce.
Entries that demonstrate public sector collaboration that increases the availability and use of sustainable food are especially welcome this year. Last year the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust won an Award for their joint efforts to buy bacon and sausages from British reared pigs. Rosie Blackburn adds: “By working together to create a larger contract, the two Trusts were able to purchase quality meat from British pig farmers who work to higher standards of animal welfare.”
Major game tasting event at Borough Market
A major opportunity to taste game in season is to be hosted at London’s Borough Market with BASC (British Association for Shooting and Conservation) next month.
The event will run from November 11/13 inclusive and forms part of BASC’s National Taste of Game Fortnight, which takes place from November 6/20.
Visitors to the Market will be able to sample a traditional taste of game, prepared by some of the world’s top chefs, along with a Tandoori take on game and game with a French flavour. There is also a chance to see restaurateur and broadcaster Mike Robinson demonstrating game preparation.
Sales of game continue to rise, with sales set to hit more than £84 million by 2011, says BASC.
Journalists are welcome during the morning of Thursday November 11 – please contact Debbie Collins for details on 01244 573052. To learn more about National Taste of Game Fortnight and find recipes online, log on to: http://www.gameson.org.uk/
University farmers' market unveiled
London Farmers’ Markets (LFM) were delighted to open a new market at Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road on September 23.
The market runs every Thursday 9am - 2pm at The Curve, Westfield Way, Mile End Road E1 4N. Some new faces have been making their London Farmers’ Markets debut including egg producer Oakley Farm who, in addition to selling free range eggs, has been bringing hand made scotch eggs in lots of different varieties, bread and butter pudding plus egg and bacon pie. Laycroft Farm brought free range poultry, pork and game. Hungry students and staff could also enjoy fresh fish from Lowestoft, juice and fruit from Drove Orchards and a full range of locally grown vegetables, hand-made pies, bread, cakes, pasta and hot food.
London gardeners can apply for £ to grow their own
Capital Growth is offering small grants to gardeners and groups of gardeners so they can grow their own food on some of the city’s unused land.
Grants of up to £1,000 are available to help convert unused land into productive plots and already 12 London boroughs have committed to identifying suitable areas. Applicants must apply by November 8, 2010 – see www.capitalgrowth.org/apply
London mayor Boris Johnson said: ”Capital Growth is giving green-fingered Londoners the chance to grow food to tremendous benefit. As well as helping people to save cash, it boosts community spirit and beautifies otherwise unloved and unused plots of land. For a limited period, people can apply for small grants to help kick-start their own plot, adding to the thriving oases that are cropping up all around the capital.”
Capital Growth aims to create 2,012 new growing food spaces by the end of 2012. There are already 576 plots and more than £200,000 in grants committed. The scheme was launched last November by London mayor Boris Johnson and London Food Link, helping to create more than 300 plots at the outset. London Food Link manages the project and access to training is offered.
Wool supporters flock to Savile Row
Agriculture Minister Jim Paice joined supporters of Wool Week in Savile Row as it is transformed into a sheep field with sheep from the West Country on October 11.
‘Savile Row Field Day’ showcased British wool in support of the Campaign for Wool. The Campaign has HRH the Prince of Wales as its patron and is a coalition of industry groups raising awareness about the benefits of wool.
Mr Paice said: “Wool is a high quality, sustainable and durable material with countless uses, some of which visitors will see here in Savile Row. This event is a great opportunity to remind people about the benefits of wool and allow Londoners to see some iconic sheep on show from the West Country.”
Mr Paice joined organisers of Savile Row Field Day – the Savile Row Bespoke Association, Woolmark International, West Country woollen mill Fox Brothers and Dormeuil.
Wool has many versatile uses in clothing, insulation, bedding, upholstery, construction materials, compost and carpets. UK sheep produce some of the best wool for carpets and rugs, with 70 per cent of the wool produced here used in carpets. Axminster Carpets, for example, are world-famous.
The UK sheep flock is the largest in the EU with 15 million breeding sheep and 52,000 producers. There are approximately 32 million sheep and lambs in the UK from 60 different breeds. The 35,000 – 40,000 tonnes of wool produced each year provide an additional income for farmers producing meat. Wool production has a long history in the UK. British wool was cherished during Roman times and the industry was one of England’s greatest national assets during the 12th century. British wool now makes up three per cent of world wool production, with Australia, New Zealand and China making up the bulk of production.
The sheep starring on the day came from Harry Parker who has an award-winning flock of Exmoor Horn in Wiltshire and Lesley Prior brought Bowmont sheep from her home in Devon. Read more on the Campaign for Wool online at http://www.campaignforwool.org/
London hospital catering manager takes centre stage
Experts from the world of food and nutrition gathered in Suffolk for a major conference that launched the Aldeburgh Food Festival on September 24.
Among those talking about sustainable sourcing policy was Mike Duckett, catering manager for the Royal Brompton Hospital. He explained the policy of paying ‘cash on delivery’ to independent suppliers. This enables him to source high quality produce direct from farmers and growers. For example, he has bought Kentish eggs, sourcing bacon from small producers in Essex and Hertfordshire. As a result of being served quality food, there is evidence that patients have more appetite, are more contented and recover more quickly. Staff have become more motivated and costs have gone down. The conference heard that the Brompton model could save the NHS an estimated £50 million per year by helping patients recover more quickly, by cutting waste and reducing staff turnover.
Tower Hamlets Healthy Borough programme
Health conscious café, restaurant and takeaway owners in Tower Hamlets have taken part in a healthier catering workshop.
The free workshop in September was organised by the Tower Hamlets Healthy Borough programme in a bid to tackle obesity as part of the Food for Health Awards. The local Award scheme acknowledges businesses that serve dishes with reduced sugar, fat and salt, promoting healthier diets at their eateries. For details of future workshops contact Altan Ahmet, Principal Environmental Health Officer, tel: 0207 364 6738 email: altan.ahmet@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Urban farm gold
Volunteers at an urban farm have won gold with perfect plants and top notch livestock.
Deen City Farm in Colliers Wood picked up top prize in a competition at the Festival of City Farming and Community Gardens in north London this autumn. The event, at Capel Manor College in Enfield, gave the city’s urban agriculture hotspots the chance to show off their animals, plants and vegetables. A dozen volunteers from the Deer Park Road farm helped it win first prize in six categories and pip Vauxhall City Farm to the title of overall champion.
Growing the market…
London Farmers’ Markets (LFM) are always delighted to hear from farmers looking to sell their own produce at one of the 20 markets that LFM operate in the capital. Currently organisers are especially eager to hear from dairy farmers producing cheese, cream and milk (cow and goat) - especially non-homogenized and raw milk; beef and lamb farmers who can cut meat to order on site; preserve and chutney makers; beekeepers; top fruit and soft fruit growers with good storage to offer fruit for an extended season.
If you are interested in selling at London Farmers’ Markets please contact Cheryl or Mark tel: 020 7833 0338 or email info@lfm.org.uk or find out more on the new-look website: http://www.lfm.org.uk/.
Producers of fruit and veg sought
Western International Market business development manager Peter Clarke has been able to help a lettuce grower and a herb grower pick up new business by supplying wholesalers at the Market. Demand from the catering and food service sector in the capital means that direct suppliers of English fruit and veg are being sought by wholesalers. For an initial discussion of the profitable opportunities that exist, contact Peter Clarke at Western International Market tel: 07947 764 995 or email: pclarkewim@aol.co.uk
Diary dates:
All dates are for events due to take place at London venues, unless otherwise stated.
Master Chef Live (BBC Good Food Show), Olympia, November 12/14, 2010 - http://www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com/
Own Label Show, Barbican, November 24/25, 2010 – http://www.ownlabelshow.co.uk/
Real Food Christmas Market, Southbank Centre Royal Festival Hall, December 3/5, 2010 – www.southbanklondon.com/whatson
July 2010
New line up of experts to boost London Food
Rosie Boycott, chair of London Food Board, announced a new line-up of food experts to assist the Board’s strategic initiatives. They will work to inform the development of programmes to improve Londoners’ access to healthy food, boost the economic vibrancy of the food sector and reduce the food system’s impact on the environment.
The new line-up represents the top echelons of food knowledge with a diverse range of private, public, charity and academic backgrounds. They include Tim Smith, Chief Executive of Food Standards Agency, Judith Batchelar, Director of Sainsbury’s brand and Tim Lang, Professor of food policy at City University. The newly formed London Food Board Executive group and a larger Food Board will advise on the development of a new food strategy implementation plan for the Greater London Authority due to be published later this year. For more information see http://www.london.gov.uk/media/
Red Tractor Week draws supply chain buffs together
London’s premier fruit and vegetable wholesale market, New Covent Garden Market, hosted a breakfast of assured regional produce to mark Red Tractor Week (June 14/20), celebrating ten years of this quality mark.
Twenty-one VIPs with an interest in London’s catering sector were treated to a five-course, silver service breakfast. The breakfast was sponsored by the NFU and cooked by Jane Alty of Tastebud, in the midst of New Covent Garden's famous Buyers’ Walk.
The menu featured delights such as cinnamon and poppy seed drop scones; black pudding with watercress veloute and poached quail eggs plus a streaky bacon and tomato jam sandwich. Produce for the whole meal was bought from New Covent Garden traders and sourced entirely from UK producers from sixteen different counties.
Among the guests were Cyrus Todiwala, Tom Aikens, Mark Peregrine head tutor at the Raymond Blanc Cookery School and Mathew Smith, executive chef at Orient Express. Joining them were representatives from the NFU, Red Tractor (www.redtractor.org.uk/), Covent Garden Market Authority and market traders.
At the height of the UK season, approximately 90% of produce at New Covent Garden Market is certified Farm Assured Produce. For more information, or to book a tour, please contact: ruth.holbrook@cgma.co.uk 07810 825 608 or zeenat@sustainweb.org
Islington voted best Farmers' Market
Islington farmers’ market has come out on top as London's best farmers’ market. London's longest-established farmers’ market, Islington, has earned its reputation over the past 10 years. It has been recognised by Time Out as the best in the city.
City farms draw the crowds
This year’s Camden Green Fair attracted some 25,000 visitors. London’s city farms and community gardens organised an area of the Fair. This proved a good opportunity for community projects to show off the enormous range of activities they carry out, bringing knowledge of animal husbandry and horticulture to city dwellers.
Bryony, the life-size replica dairy cow, attracted hundreds of children and adults who took the opportunity to milk her! She arrived courtesy of Vauxhall City Farm where she is kept. Crowds also flocked to a poultry and herb exhibit from Freightliners Farm, and blacksmiths with their cycle-powered forge from Surrey Docks Farm. Kentish Town City Farm provided plenty of children’s activities, and Hackney City Farm brought their donkey, sheep, goats, rabbits and chickens.
Other displays were mounted by the Phoenix School Farm, Culpeper Community Garden, Calthorpe Project, Hammersmith Community Gardens, Phoenix Garden and the Eco-Minds garden.
Food-related activities included advice on growing food in containers, cooking demonstrations, and pasta making, which was very popular with children, as was the “making animals from vegetables” activity. There were also tips on community food growing and how to make seed bombs.
For a free map of London’s community farms and gardens send a SAE to PO Box 25359, London NW5 4ZN, email London@farmgarden.org.uk or download from http://www.farmgarden.org.uk/farms-gardens
Local Loaves for Lammas
Last year the Real Bread Campaign launched Local Loaves for Lammas, encouraging consumers to celebrate this ancient harvest festival by baking or buying a local loaf. Its definition of basic Real Bread is bread containing only essential ingredients such as flour, water, yeast (optional), and salt (optional) – find out more at http://www.realbreadcampaign.org/
Campaigners hope to make the event (July 31/August 1) bigger and better this year, encouraging food and farming businesses, and like-minded organisations, to take part. Ideas for farms include:
- Working with a local mill to bag up your grain into a limited edition ‘local loaf’ bread flour
- Teaming up with a local baker to produce a Local Loaf for Lammas, using your grain
- Organising a Real Bread picnic for your local community with other independent producers
- Running a Real Bread making class, perhaps to teach a traditional local recipe
- Holding a Real Bread baking competition
- Selling locally baked Real Bread from your farm shop
To find out more, visit the events page of http://www.realbreadcampaign.org/ or contact Chris Young at Sustain, chris@sustainweb.org 0207 837 1228.
Brick Lane gets a Farmers' Market
London’s latest farmers' market opened in the East End’s Brick Lane in early June. Now every Sunday, from 10am, between 20 and 30 stalls will be at the new farmers' market offering a wide choice of free-range meats and traditionally-grown fruit and vegetables. For details see http://www.lfm.org.uk/markets/brick-lane/
London Food Hub
A project dedicated to the development of a London Food Hub, to boost regional food supply chains into the capital, has entered a new phase. This initiative is managed by the South East Food Group Partnership.
The project aims to establish whether a hub could be financially viable and help to increase the market share for regional food businesses. Its new business planning phase stems from a feasibility study carried out in 2009. This revealed a substantial demand for local and regional food, particularly in the food service sector. The main barriers to more local and regional food reaching the capital are a lack of links between buyers and suppliers, coupled with logistical complexities, and buyers not having the time to source regional food from countless selling desks.
A workshop for producers, ‘The London Food Hub vision & Could your business benefit from the London Food Hub?’, is taking place on September 21, 2010. It runs from 13.00hrs-16.00hrs at Fishmongers Hall, London Bridge.
It will take forward ideas from the feasibility report which recommended the development of an e-commerce market place coupled with a physical hub. A London Food Hub (http://twitter.com/londonfoodhub) would bring together existing supply chains with new suppliers, providing a sales function and a delivery solution. Buyers are keen to know where produce comes from and who the producer is, but dealing with countless suppliers individually is not an option. An online environment can provide ease of sourcing, without suppliers and buyers having to meet.
Henriette Reinders, MD of South East Food Group Partnership, says: “We envisage the London Food hub to have various functions, such as increasing the profile of regional supply chains into the capital, optimising delivery in order to reduce food miles and therefore product costs as well as providing the opportunity for producers and suppliers to enter the London market and/or extend their market share.
“We will liaise as much as possible with the supplier side as well as the buyers to make sure we get it right and meet their needs. We will also research various other online food hubs worldwide to learn from them.”
The business plan will be ready by the end of 2010. There are just 40 spaces for the workshop – book via www.southeastenglandfoodanddrink.co.uk/londonfoodhub
Only the best produce for London
Laleham Farm, on a former gravel pit site, is a 45 hectare LEAF Marque farm in Staines, Surrey, inside the M25. The farm is also Red Tractor assured. Here, directly under the Heathrow flight path, NFU members Clare Sussex and her brother, Charles Bransden, grow tasty crops such as cavolo nero, fennel, ruby chard and kohl rabi. All produce is branded ‘B.E Bransden & Sons’ and is packaged on the farm. It is either sold locally or via wholesalers within New Covent Garden Market, where it arrives less than 24 hours after harvesting.
The quality and freshness of B E Bransden & Sons’ produce is much in demand from retailers, chefs and catering distributors who buy at New Covent Garden. LEAF Marque farmers Clare and Charles take great care of the farmed environment, supporting a wealth of biodiversity. Seasonal cropping and management projects are documented on the farm’s website. Clare and Charles are always especially proud of their farmland birds – including nesting lapwing, little ringed plover, skylark and kingfisher. Their high standard of environmental management has been widely recognised, most recently in 2009 when the Mineral Products Association gave an award to Laleham Farm for outstanding restoration. Find out more online at http://www.lalehamfarm.co.uk/
If you would like to sell accredited produce through New Covent Garden Market, speak to Zeenat Anjari for advice and introductions to relevant wholesalers on: 07810 482 547 or email zeenat@sustainweb.org
Farmland at Hampton Court Flower Show
Look out for the ‘Home Grown’ zone within the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (July 6/11, 2010) which will celebrate different aspects of commercial agriculture and horticulture in the UK. It highlights the diversity of produce which can now be grown here and the merits of sourcing local produce from plot to plate.
The exhibit has been designed by dairy farmer Gillian van der Meer, of Ashburnham, near Battle, who is deputy chair of East Sussex NFU, with west-country designers Jon Wheatley and Mary Payne. The duo designed the Tudor Rose Award winning Growing Tastes Allotment at the 2009 show and Gillian herself was awarded a silver-gilt for her display of UK crops at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in 2008.
Visitors enter the 25 x 80m exhibit through fields of golden crops and a modern orchard - which contrasts dramatically with a market garden beyond. Gillian’s contribution is a snapshot of today’s agricultural landscape in rural England and it summarises valid reasons to source local food in an age of rising world population and climate change. Its crops are bounded by a species-rich hedgerow, with the odd semi-mature tree or shrub, with an under-storey of hedgerow flowers. A Sussex chestnut post and rail fence completes the boundary, beside an insect-friendly wildflower margin. These typical features demonstrate the farmer’s role as both primary food producer and custodian of the environment, providing wildlife with food and shelter.
A public footpath through the crops symbolises the amenity value of the countryside. The visitor can walk through crops of sunflower, wheat, barley, oats and maize to an area of commercial apple production. The apples are grown on a trellis system for maximum yield and ease of harvesting – pollen and nectar strips encourage insect pollination. An orchard tractor with apple-picking train symbolises quality food for the consumer, few food miles, employment and the economic importance of UK agriculture.
Within the market garden is a traditional orchard, complete with ‘live’ bee hives, a chicken run and a diverse collection of fruit, vegetables and cut flowers. With the exception of some of the ‘exotic’ varieties, most of the produce and nursery stock that will be on show can be produced in the UK. See http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/Hampton-Court-Palace-Flower-Show/2010
Western International Market
It is two years ago this month that Western International Market, off junction 3 of the M4 motorway, re-opened following redevelopment. Most traders are pleased with the improved hygiene standards and general operational efficiency that have resulted, allowing Western International to maintain its position as one of the premier wholesale markets in the country. Many wholesalers are looking for new UK supplies of products in particular:-
Runner beans
Peas in the pod
Cos and Iceburg lettuce, also prepared salads
Mushrooms
All UK fruit
Herbs
Tomatoes
Aubergines
Chillies
Peppers
Cucumbers
Celeriac
Leeks
Okra
Squash
To investigate opportunities further, please contact the market’s business development manager, Peter Clarke Tel: 07947 764 995 or email pclarkewim@aol.com
WFU London launches
The Women’s Food and Farming Union’s new London branch is working within the city to inspire people to understand where their food comes from, to adopt a sustainable life-style and to support farmers.
Farming issues campaigner Lady Sara Apsley became the honorary spokeswoman for the WFU’s London branch during a ceremony at the Farmers’ Club in Whitehall earlier this year. In addition, Rosie Boycott, chair of the London Food Board, is a WFU member and is a frequent speaker at WFU events.
The WFU’s UK-wide campaign challenging all UK consumers to “Look Local” and “Buy British” is focused on encouraging consumers to seek out farmers’ markets, co-ops and shops that source local, British produce. Lady Apsley hopes to make the “Red Tractor” logo an integral symbol of the campaign, in order to guide consumers toward recognising the mark and embracing the broader concept of “Buy British” that it represents.
In June, the People’s Supermarket, a revolutionary co-op for London consumers, opened its doors for business. It is spearheaded by Arthur Potts-Dawson, a celebrity chef entrepreneur. He has invited the WFU to use the People’s Supermarket as a meeting venue for the branch. See http://www.wfulondon.org.uk/ for more information.
Diary dates:
All dates are for events due to take place at London venues, unless otherwise stated.
- Taste of London restaurant event, Regents Park, June 17/20 - www.viewlondon.co.uk/restaurants/taste-of-london-feature-2187.html
- The Covent Garden Real Food Market Anniversary Weekend, June 18-20 - www.coventgardenlondonuk.com/eating-drinking/articles/the-covent-garden-real-food-market
- Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, Hampton Court, Surrey - July 6/11 - www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/
- Speciality and Fine Food Fair, Olympia, September 5/7 - http://www.specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk/
- Workshop for producers: The London Food Hub vision & Could your business benefit from the London Food Hub?’, September 21 – www.southeastenglandfoodanddrink.co.uk/londonfoodhub
- Master Chef Live (BBC Good Food Show), Olympia, November 12/14, 2010 - http://www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com/
More food and farming related events, including all London Farmers’ Markets 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 2010
Calling London farmers and growers – Open Farm Sunday
Time is ticking on towards Open Farm Sunday on June 13. So farmers and growers, if you have not yet registered your event, now is the time to do so! To help you arrange your Open Farm Sunday event, organiser LEAF will provide you with a resource pack to include posters, fliers, postcards, roadside banner and arrows, suggested activities, H&S guidance, polo shirts and lots more! To order a pack please visit http://www.farmsunday.org/ofs/open/register.eb The NFU is supporting this event. To register, or find out more, visit http://www.farmsunday.org/ofs/home.eb
Colne Valley Food
The beautiful Colne Valley, West London’s back garden, covers 43 square miles, has more than 50 miles of river and canal as well as lakes, woodland and farmland. Colne Valley Food has been formed to support the farmers and growers in this area and make it easier for local people to buy fresh, locally produced food. The Colne Valley Food stall will visit countryside attractions and events throughout the year selling a variety of products including meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables, bread and cakes. There will also be a box scheme to follow. The development of the stalls and box scheme are being supported by funding from the Making Local Food Work programme, a £10m Big Lottery programme aiming to reconnect consumers with their food.
For more information contact colnevalleyfood@groundwork.co.uk or 01895 839 859 or visit http://www.colnevalleypark.org.uk/
Children to experience growing food
The Children’s Food Campaign has launched a new campaign for every child to experience growing food while at school. The campaign will call for the Education Secretary Ed Balls and Shadow Education Secretaries to commit to ensuring children experience growing produce at school. www.sustainweb.org/childrensfoodcampaign/
Photographer seeks farms with EU workers
Photographer Simon James wishes to locate farms in the Greater London area employing people from the recent EU accession states in Eastern and Central Europe.
Mr James will be exhibiting a series of portraits of workers from EU accession countries and wants to show a broad range of roles including agricultural workers. For more information visit www.shotbyjam.com/AlienNation.html or phone: 07970 950 993.
New job for the man who transformed Borough Market
The Covent Garden Real Food Market has recruited Chris Denning, Borough Market Manager, to head up its Saturday fresh produce offering.
Mr Denning was pivotal in the transformation of Borough Market and is intent on continuing the growing success of the Covent Garden Real Food Market. He will also be charged with growing the offering of the world famous Apple Market, the West End craft hub best-known for handmade craft, design and antiques produced within the UK.
Chris Denning said: “The reason for my decision to move to Covent Garden was the overwhelming desire to ‘raise the bar’ of fresh produce available in the West End at the weekend, to attract the finest producers from the UK to trade in Covent Garden, and to work in one of London’s most famous public spaces.”
Covent Garden Brand Director Bev Churchill said: “Now in its fourth year, The Covent Garden Real Food Market has been a huge success. With Chris Denning joining as Market Manager we are continuing to demonstrate our commitment to quality and making the market the ultimate destination for fresh produce in Central London.”
Visitors to the Piazza are able to buy the best ingredients and fresh produce to cook at home, as well as sumptuous treats from choice traders such as The Great British Sausage, Sporeboys, the Ethiopian Coffee Company and Woodwards Farm, plus food blogger favourites including world-renowned Eat Like A Girl. For more details, visit http://www.coventgardenlondonuk.com/
Islington farmers’ market move
London's most established farmers’ market, Islington Farmers’ Market, has moved this month from William Tyndale School, owing to building works. This vibrant market, which was the capital’s first ever farmers’ market, is now taking place at Chapel Market, between Penton Street and Baron Street, N1 9PZ, every Sunday from 10am until 2pm. There is plenty of free on-street parking in the area.
Western International’s produce plea
Wholesalers at Western International fruit and vegetable market, near Heathrow Airport, would like to sell more British produce and are keen to hear from potential suppliers. About 60 independent wholesalers operate within the market and total turnover is around £400m per year.
They are also hoping to meet new customers who are keen to source produce to sell on through their own farm shops. Please contact the market’s business development manager Peter Clarke on: 07947 764995 email pclarkewim@aol.com if you think this market may be able to help your business.
East Sussex dairy farmer to create farmland at Hampton Court Flower Show
East Sussex dairy farmer Gillian van der Meer has won an RHS commission to create a farmland landscape at Hampton Court Flower Show (July 6/11, 2010).
Gillian, of Ashburnham, near Battle, who is deputy chair of East Sussex NFU, is working on the showground’s ‘Home Grown’ area with award-winning west-country designers Jon Wheatley and Mary Payne. The duo designed the Tudor Rose Award winning Growing Tastes Allotment at the 2009 show and Gillian herself was awarded a silver-gilt for her display of UK crops at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in 2008.
The ‘Home Grown’ zone celebrates different aspects of commercial agriculture and horticulture in the UK. It highlights the diversity of produce which can now be grown in the UK and the merits of sourcing local produce from plot to plate. Visitors enter the 25 x 80m exhibit through fields of golden crops and a modern orchard - which contrasts dramatically with a market garden beyond. The crops are being grown by Surrey farmers Laurence and Paula Matthews of Dorking (http://www.manorfarmsurrey.com/) and apple trees are being supplied by well-known commercial grower Blackmoor Estate near Selborne in Hampshire – http://www.blackmoor.co.uk/ Within the market garden is a traditional orchard, complete with ‘live’ bee hives, a chicken run and a diverse collection of fruit, vegetables and cut flowers. With the exception of some of the ‘exotic’ varieties, most of the produce and nursery stock that will be on show can be produced in the UK.
Gillian’s farmland exhibit is a snapshot of today’s agricultural landscape in rural England and it summarises valid reasons to source local food in an age of rising world population and climate change. Its crops are bounded by a species-rich hedgerow (comprised of species such as hazel, hornbeam, field maple, dogwood, spindle, blackthorn, honeysuckle, dog rose, field rose and wild clematis), punctuated by the occasional semi-mature tree or shrub, with an under-storey of hedgerow flowers. A Sussex chestnut post and rail fence completes the boundary, beside an insect-friendly wildflower margin. These typical features demonstrate the farmer’s role as both primary food producer and custodian of the environment, providing wildlife with food and shelter.
A public footpath through the crops symbolises the amenity value of the countryside. The visitor can walk through crops of sunflower and oilseed rape, wheat, barley, oats and maize to an area of commercial apple production. The apples are grown on a trellis system for maximum yield and ease of harvesting – pollen and nectar strips encourage insect pollination. An orchard tractor with apple-picking train symbolises quality food for the consumer, few food miles, employment and the economic importance of UK agriculture. A gate leads through to the market garden, designed by Jon Wheatley and Mary Payne. This initiative will undoubtedly further public understanding of agriculture and horticulture. Let’s hope it generates some positive debate and media coverage.
London's energy busting Low Carbon Zones go ‘live’
Ten energy-busting Low Carbon Zones across London have gone ‘live’ to help residents, schools and businesses to go green, to save money and create job opportunities at the same time. These Zones have each been awarded a share of £3m by the Mayor of London to cut carbon by 20.12 per cent by 2012.
Local councils and their partners are delivering the Zones. They are introducing a range of innovative ways to become energy efficient, in line with the Mayor's environmental priorities. There is a wide range of pioneering activity taking place, which is only the start for green projects in the 10 Zones.
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “London's 10 Low Carbon Zones are now officially 'live', championing the latest energy busting technologies, trialling innovative ways to go green and helping people save money. Not only will this have a hugely positive impact on our environment but it is stimulating new industries to create job opportunities. Everyone in these eco-areas now has the tools to achieve top energy saving status.”
For more information on the low carbon zones visit www.london.gov.uk/lowcarbonzones
London nursery children get a taste of the good life
The childcare charity and social enterprise, London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), has started work with Fresher by Miles, a Kent food hub and farm.
LEYF has always valued the role of nursery chefs in providing good and nutritious food for pre-school children. For many of these children, nursery often provides the main and most important meal of the day.
LEFY Chief Executive June O’Sullivan said: “We have been working closely with Sustain on our Glorious Food campaign. Our ultimate goal is to broaden the experience and learning around food for the children in our care. To support this we also have a specific ambition and commitment to raise the standards and training of nursery chefs across the sector, working with chef mentor Tom Guise.”
LEYF has recgnised the crucial role of chefs in promoting healthy food among under fives. This has now resulted a project to develop the National Vocational Qualifications for Early Years chefs, a specific and professional level 3 vocational qualification. LLEYF is working with partners including Sector Skills Council, Greenwich Food Development Trust, LDA (Good Food Training for London), Sustain and Local Authority nutritionists. For information email neil.hart@leyf.org.uk, call: 0207 592 3631 or visit http://www.leyf.org.uk/
Rosie Boycott joins WFU
Rosie Boycott has joined the Women's Food and Farming Union (WFU) London branch. As London Mayor Boris Johnson's official ‘Food Guru’, Rosie is the brains behind the city's Capital Growth project, which aims to create food-growing spaces in urban environments.
She told the WFU's London members: “There is a logical synergy between London's Capital Growth programme and the WFU's London branch and I'm eager to explore what we might achieve together. The WFU has always been a vital link between the British farmer and I'm thrilled that we can now draw upon each other's knowledge and support."
London WFU chair Sarah Chase stated: "Rosie Boycott understands both the magic and mystery behind the food industry. We are very fortunate to count her among our members, as she's the kind of woman who has dirt under her nails, literally. Rosie's Capital Growth project is an example of how our members can contribute to local, grow-your-own projects as we work to bridge the rural to urban divide and educate those in urban areas, especially children, about how their food is grown."
To launch the WFU’s "Look Local" campaign in London, Lady Sara Apsley and Jackie Llewelyn-Bowen will be "Cooking It Up for the Press" on May 18 at an invitation-only event. They will be bringing produce from the Cirencester Farmers’ Market to London, cooking a delicious feast for select media. There are a limited number of "meal tickets" available. For information, please e-mail: sarah@wfulondon.org.uk and see http://www.wfulondon.org.uk/
New look Venn Street Market
Venn Street Market, in the Clapham High Street area, now has a brighter future. Thanks to traders, the foundations of a new market have been established. Traders bravely took pitches at the new style pilot markets in the freezing conditions of November and December, to test the popularity of the new format.
There is still a lot of work to be done including promoting the market further to the local community, working with Lambeth Council to redesign the street and install market infrastructure. The Venn Street Market is a joint venture between founders Sourced Market and local residents Marcus Weedon and Kate Greening. Leafhouse Ltd is the dedicated company that has been set up to manage the market affairs. For more details visit http://www.sourcedmarket.com/news-events.php?id=1
Photographic student seeks dairy farm
A student studying photographic studies at the University of Westminster is looking for a dairy farm in the Greater London area. He is seeking to capture images of cows, and preferably of the cattle being milked, for a book project.
In return, the photographer is willing to take some photographs for the farmer of the farm and their family, if desired, free of charge. For further details email tam_hare@hotmail.com or phone Thomas Hare on: 07969 051422.
Diary dates:
- All dates are for events due to take place at London venues, unless otherwise stated.
- London farmers’ markets – see website for dates http://www.lfm.org.uk/
- Real Food Festival, Earls Court, May 7/10 - http://www.realfoodfestival.co.uk/
- Chelsea Flower Show, Chelsea, May 23/25 - www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/
- Taste of London restaurant event, Regents Park, June 17/20 - www.viewlondon.co.uk/restaurants/taste-of-london-feature-2187.html
- The Covent Garden Real Food Market Anniversary Weekend, June 18-20 - www.coventgardenlondonuk.com/eating-drinking/articles/the-covent-garden-real-food-market
- Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, Hampton Court, Surrey - July 6/11 - www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/
- Speciality and Fine Food Fair, Olympia, September 5/7 - http://www.specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk/
- Master Chef Live (BBC Good Food Show), Olympia, November 12/14, 2010 - http://www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com/
January 2010
Public sector caterers “good eggs” - Rosie Boycott
Public sector caterers from across London were congratulated at the inaugural Good Food on the Public Plate awards for choosing to buy sustainable food.
The awards were presented by Rosie Boycott, chair of London Food, during a ceremony at City Hall on November 16. Awards were given to 15 universities, hospitals and other public sector bodies who have taken great steps towards sustainability. They are all serving food that is local, seasonal, Fair Trade or assured by an animal welfare scheme.
Rosie Boycott said: “The winners’ decisions to buy good food are excellent news for their staff, for the environment and for the welfare of animals. What’s more, it’s very encouraging news for British farmers. The awards prove that public sector food buyers want to buy sustainable produce, but buyers need guarantees it’s grown or reared to high standards. Farms that are signed up to assurance schemes are at a distinct advantage when they tender for food contracts.”
She continued: “Public sector food can be delicious, healthy and good for the planet,” adding that these catering sector ‘food champions’ were a great example to others.
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) will now buy more than one million British free range eggs a year. Caroline Mortimer, Director of Catering for the MPS, said: "For the last year the MPS has been working closely with Sustain looking at how we source our produce. As a result of this successful partnership, the MPS has moved to using only free range eggs, increased its use of sustainable fish and has trained staff in seasonal menu planning.
The award reflects the excellent work of the team and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Sustain and passing on the benefits to our customers."
The public sector serves more than one billion meals a year to school children, hospital patients and the state’s most vulnerable citizens. The winners have all made one or more significant changes – some no longer buy bottled water. Others are now buying fish from certified sustainable sources or have committed to buying only British bacon, which is guaranteed to come from a source where welfare standards are better than those often found outside the UK.
Good Food on the Public Plate Project Officer Jon Walker affirmed: “London’s public sector institutions are leading the way in the procurement of sustainable food, both collaboratively and individually, proving it is possible to purchase sustainable food cost effectively”.
For more information on Good Food on the Public Plate, please contact Rosie Blackburn rosie@sustainweb.org or 020 7837 1228 or go to http://www.gfpp.org.uk/.
London 2012 Games must ‘go for gold’ with Olympic food standards
The Food Vision published by the London 2012 Olympic Games organising committee (LOCOG) reveals plans to offer a wide range of food for all customers. A total of 14 million meals will be served during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, across 40 locations, in what will be the largest peace-time catering operation in the world.
In line with London 2012’s sustainability commitments, the London 2012 Food Vision sets out benchmark and aspirational standards in how food should be sourced for the Games. It should also leave a positive legacy for the future, setting standards for catering at future public events.
LOCOG has set UK Red Tractor Assured as the benchmark standard which will be the most challenging ever set by a summer Games. In practice this means that all meat, dairy products, including traditionally British cheeses such as Cheddar, fruit and veg (where seasonally or realistically available), salads and cereal based products will be UK farmed and grown. They will be fully traceable and will have been produced to strict standards from farm to venue. Eggs must be British Lion mark and free range, say the organisers.
Any food that must be imported to meet demand will also be required to be traceable. In addition, products such as bananas, tea, coffee or sugar will be Fairtrade. All chocolate products will also be Fairtrade or ethically sourced. All fish will be sustainable, with the complete exclusion of species and stocks identified by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) as ‘fish to avoid’. All wild-caught fish must meet the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.
LOCOG will ask suppliers to consider how a proportion of food can meet the ‘aspirational standards’ for the Games. These include RSPCA Freedom Food or Free Range pork and chicken, Organic or LEAF Marque certified.
NFU President Peter Kendall said: “London 2012 is often described as ‘the largest peace-time catering operation in the world’ and I’m very pleased that LOCOG recognises the important role that UK farmers will play in providing 14 million high quality meals during this time.
'Committing to procure UK Red Tractor assured food, wherever seasonally possible, delivers on LOCOG’s promise to provide fresh, quality food for all at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012. Never before has such a large scale catering contract had such sustainable procurement standards and I hope that this can act as a blueprint for minimum catering standards in the future.”
However, campaigners for health and the environment have only ‘broadly welcomed’ the announcement.
They say that the Olympic organisers have gone for gold in some areas – promising to serve only sustainable fish, fairly traded food and drinks, and encouraging caterers to use local and seasonal food. They have also promised to require that catering staff are trained to meet the standards, and created some opportunities for smaller food businesses to take part. But, so far, animal welfare and environmental standards are expressed as ‘aspirational’ and would struggle to get onto the winner’s podium.
For example, there is as yet no percentage target for the proportion of high welfare Freedom Food accredited meat to be served, or for organic products. Campaigners say this compares unfavourably with the Danish Government’s approach to catering at last month’s UNCCC international climate change meeting in Copenhagen. It specified 65 per cent organic food, certain environmental and animal welfare standards, Fairtrade products, and tap water not bottled water.
This is the first time that a major international sporting event has addressed food sustainability issues in a catering policy. Kath Dalmeny, Policy Director for Sustain, said: “Back in 2005, the London 2012 bid made an ambitious commitment to a low carbon Games, which included sustainable food. We understand that sustainability commitments were among the main reasons London won the opportunity to host the Olympic Games. Some of the commitments in the London 2012 Food Vision launched today are admirable. But LOCOG and its caterers need to work hard to achieve all of their ethical and environmental promises when they negotiate catering contracts during 2010. Food has a massive part to play in keeping these promises. By doing so, LOCOG will create a world class food legacy for Britain to be proud of.”
See the full Olympic Food Vision document here http://www.london2012.com/documents/locog-publications/food-vision.pdf
Plans revealed for The Garden at New Covent Garden
The first plans for The Garden at New Covent Garden Market have been revealed by Covent Garden Market Authority (CGMA) covering their 57 acre site at Nine Elms, Vauxhall.
The plans for The Garden include a brand new fresh produce Market for CGMA’s 240 tenant businesses providing up to 540,000 sq ft of trading space including new buyers’ walks, cafés and office space. The new Market buildings will include flexible trading units ensuring that the Market can adapt to tenant requirements and customer demand. In addition, a brand new Flower Market will be housed within a purpose built building alongside the main Market.
The designs for the main site, drawn up by Neil Tomlinson Architects, also show for the first time The Garden Heart which will be a focus for food and flower related activities outside the Market. This Garden Heart could include space for businesses in start-up phase, and educational/food training spaces including demonstration kitchens for use by catering colleges and other education providers.
The Garden Heart is intended to link the Market with the other uses proposed for the Flower Market site. This means it is the ideal location for eateries and meeting spaces for food events, allowing the wider public greater access to the market.
The remaining space on the current Flower Market site will be redeveloped to finance the re-development. This site is located just 400m from Vauxhall Cross and identified in the Draft London Plan and the emerging Opportunity Area Framework as an area for major regeneration and suitable for tall buildings. The emerging plans include up 1,800 new homes with new shops and other commercial spaces and public open spaces.
New farmers’ market at Bermondsey
A new farmers’ market has opened on Bermondsey Square. The market takes place every Saturday between 10am and 2pm. Brixton farmers’ market has extended opening hours now, every Sunday from 10am until 3pm. For details of London farmers’ markets see http://www.lfm.org.uk/
‘Waste food’ feeds the 5000 …
Recent estimates show that in 10 per cent of the world’s richest countries’ greenhouse gas emissions come from food which is never eaten.
Speaking at the 'Feeding the 5000' event held on 16th December in Trafalgar Square, London, leading food waste campaigner Tristram Stuart teamed up with charities to highlight the global problems with food waste and demonstrate some practical ways to solve it.
“Food is a basic human need but one billion people in the world are malnourished,” he said.
“Even in the UK there are four million people unable to afford a healthy diet. There is plenty in the world, yet the amount of waste at every level of the system means many still go without. What we're showing here is that the easiest solution to this problem is quite simply to eat it. This isn't just about showing people how to save money, it’s about showing everyone how we can help protect the environment.”
The ingredients used in the feast were collected from local traders. Most was either excess stock or had been deemed not saleable owing to irregular shape or size. Volunteers worked with this food from early in the morning to provide enough free curries, fruit bags and smoothies for five thousand passers-by.The other food used was donated, having passed its sell-by dates.
Confusion over date labelling on food results in 400,000 tonnes of food being thrown into landfill each year. Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has called for supermarkets and food manufacturers to scrap the use of best-before and sell-by dates on food packaging.
Mr Stuart replied: “Politicians like Mr Benn have the right ideas on food waste, they just seem to lack the power to enforce them upon the supermarkets.”
For more information about Tristram Stuart and food waste see http://www.tristramstuart.co.uk/
Colne Valley Foods to help farmers
A new company will help farmers from Buckinghamshire, Slough, the London Borough of Hillingdon and north Surrey to market their products within their own communities.
Colne Valley Foods has now been registered as a social enterprise company and the company’s key objective will be to help farmers from the Colne Valley, west of London, to sell produce to local people. A manager, who has a background in the food industry, is due to take up the reins with the company in mid-January 2010.
During the initial phase, products will be marketed via a box scheme and a retail food stall that will visit regional food events and tourist attractions. So far 12 farmers are involved and more are welcome to explore the opportunities afforded by this project. Colne Valley Foods has received support from Making Local Food Work: Community Enterprise. This initiative is managed by the Plunkett Foundation and funded by the Big Lottery Fund to explore community enterprise approaches to connecting land and people through food. It aims to increase ‘access to fresh, healthy, local food with clear, traceable origins'.
If you farm within the Colne Valley Park area and wish to discuss the opportunities arising from this project, contact Peter Clarke on: 07947 764995. http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/ & www.colnevalleypark.org.uk/partnership
Putting sustainable food on the school menu
Food producers may be able to supply school caterers through the Food For Life Partnership.
The Food for Life Partnership (FFLP) is a five-year Big Lottery funded campaign with an ambitious aim to transform the food culture across schools in England. FFLP is led by the Soil Association and brings together the practical expertise of three other food-focused charities; Garden Organic, Health Education Trust and Focus on Food Campaign. The Soil Association is leading on the food quality provenance strand of the criteria, and has a dedicated food sourcing team, which supports caterers who want to be more climate-friendly, but need advice on where to buy produce and how to keep costs down. Suppliers, especially local and/or organic, are at the core of the programme.
There are new opportunities to supply directly into the school kitchen and caterers, and also to use the schools as a drop off point or hub for local and organic food.
FFLP is already working with more than 1,500 schools across the country. Some have in-house caterers, others are catered for by local authority caterers or by private companies. All work to achieve an award, where the ultimate goal is Gold, which means serving 75 per cent freshly-prepared dishes, 30 per cent organic or MSC fish and 50 per cent local (for London local means SE and East Anglia). However, this process is incremental and so at Bronze level, farm-assured meat is served. For Silver, Freedom Food poultry or outdoor-bred pork is the minimum. Many caterers simply want a local producer with some due diligence processes in place. In return there is a guaranteed market for the majority of the year and fast payments. Cost is an issue for procurers, but there are now many examples where sustainability has been improved without breaking the bank.
Local authority caterers such as Cater Link and Eden are serving only farm-assured meat in their London contracts and use free-range eggs. Ashlyns in Essex - a network of farmers, growers and suppliers – claim the FFL Partnership has helped them to strengthen relationships with schools. They supply schools and host children on farms to give them an understanding of exactly where their school meals come from, how they are produced, delivered and prepared.
If you are interested in any aspects of the project, and/or able to deliver to schools in London or the South East, contact Katrina Kollegaeva, FFLP Food Sourcing Coordinator in London/SE/East Anglia. Email: kkollegaeva@soilassociation.org See also http://www.foodforlife.org.uk/.
London food hub study demands one-stop shop
The South East of England and East Anglia could once again become ‘London’s larder’, enjoying a renaissance as major centres of food production for the capital.
A feasibility study into the potential for a food hub to serve London has found that there is sufficient demand for regionally produced food within the capital from caterers, the food service sector and ordinary consumers. The study, published in November by the South East Food Group Partnership and Bidwells Agribusiness, also identified barriers to market access and recommended a two pronged approach to tackling the issue. A virtual business-to-business marketplace has been proposed to support the food sectors in the regions around London, bringing suppliers and customers together in a one stop shop. The development of between 15 and 20 street markets would also deliver fresh regional produce to consumers in the capital, said the report.
The results of the study highlight the considerable demand for local and regional food – at the consumer level, this is estimated to be worth £9.3m per annum in London, with the fresh food categories offering the biggest opportunities.
Nearly all the businesses surveyed said they wanted greater links to producers, easier sourcing and a one-stop shop. Henriette Reinders of SEFGP said: “Being able to have a strong and interactive relationship with the producer is clearly critical, but being able to undertake the administrative transaction across a range of purchases in one place is of equal importance. The development of a hub is vital to link up this disjointed market place.”
The project has been steered by SEFGP, the development agencies in the South East and East of England, SEEDA and EEDA, the London Development Agency and the Greater London Authority. The steering group is now deciding how to take recommendations forward. http://www.sefgp.co.uk/ & www.bidwells.co.uk/agribusiness
Western International’s produce plea
Wholesalers at Western International fruit and vegetable market, which is located near Heathrow Airport, are planning ahead for 2010. Many of them would like to sell more British produce and are keen to hear from potential suppliers. They are also hoping to meet new customers who are keen to source produce to sell on through their own farm shops. Please contact Peter Clarke on: 07947 764995 if you think this market may be able to help you make 2010 profitable for your business.
Diary dates:
All dates are for events due to take place at London venues, unless otherwise stated.
London Seafood Expo, Earls Court, February 2/4 - http://www.londonseafoodexpo.com/
NFU Annual Conference and AGM, ‘Delivering Farming’s Future’, Birmingham, February 23/24 -www.nfuconference.com
Real Food Festival, Earls Court, May 7/10 - http://www.realfoodfestival.co.uk/
Chelsea Flower Show, Chelsea, May 23/25 - www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/
Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, Hampton Court, Surrey - July 6/11 - www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/
Speciality and Fine Food Fair, Olympia, September 5/7 - http://www.specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk/
Master Chef Live (BBC Good Food Show), Olympia, November 12/14, 2010 - http://www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com/
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