Minutes of London Food Access Meeting
Islington Town Hall
6th July 2006
In attendance: Amber Bastian (Kensington and Chelsea PCT); Louise Beckingsdale (A Moveable Feast – Healthy Living Centre); Alexander Beckett (Ealing Council Environmental Health and Trading Standards); Aravinda Bergeen (Healthy Eating Programme); Catharine Courtauld (Sustain Food Poverty Project volunteer); Abigail Dunn (Sustain Food Poverty Project volunteer); Caroline Fernandez (Women’s Environmental Network); Janita Golding-Richards (Community Food); Claire Milne (Sustain Food Poverty Project); Claire Prichard (Greenwich Community Food Initiative); Ben Reynolds (Sustain London Food Link); Anna Russell (Fareshare); Laura Willoughby (The Food Chain) and Lisa Wilson (Sustain Food Poverty Project).
1) Greenwich community food initiative
Claire Prichard outlined the history, structure and achievements of the Greenwich community food initiative. The initiative was established in 2002 and is managed by Greenwich cooperative development agency and Greenwich PCT. The first year was spent out a community needs assessment. They decided to set up local fruit and vegetable co-op and market stall, which is open 2 days a week with a turnover of £500-600 per day. The main co-op is a single legal business which has helped establish other co-ops – there are now 15 co-ops all together. Project also works to influence policy and provides training for cookery club leaders based on the Luton course.
The group were interested to hear about how the project disposed of it’s biodegradable disposables. Sustain are putting together a list of suppliers of biodegradable materials.
Action: Lisa to circulate list to group when it is ready.
2) Local Area Agreements
Ben Reynolds presented a document showing how outcomes from the four local area agreements (children and young people, safer and stronger communities, healthier communities and older people and economic development and enterprise) can be achieved by addressing London food link priorities. The London Voluntary Service Council is offering training days on local area agreements – 12th and 21st July. Cost £50, bursaries for small orgs.
Action: Anyone who would like a copy of the document please email Ben ben@sustainweb.org
3) FPP Name and logo
Claire explained that we were considering whether to change the name of the project. The phrase “food poverty” is beginning to have acceptance in the media although is still not widely known, but gives the issue recognition separate from poverty. The meeting discussed whether to call it a project, movement or network. Movement was popular as it was felt that “project” could be finite. A questionnaire will be sent to all network members in the next newsletter to ask for their views. Claire is also working to create a “house style” for the project.
4) Retail planning
Should the project campaign about planning issues, e.g. guidance about new developments and food retail outlets? The meeting discussed how to engage with communities who may not understand the planning process or the impact of decisions and how to campaign on planning and impact of development. Section 106 (planning gain) is money allocated to the community to compensate for the build. Ryan Victor is a contact about these issues from planning at the Healthy Development Unit.
Action: Laura Willoughby and Alex Beckett to contact Claire and regarding this.
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