Good Food for London 2013

London Food Link has taken a look at how London Boroughs compare on their support for six key good food initiatives.

We present our findings in London Borough maps and have compiled this information to create a Good Food for London league table. The league table provides a strong indication of each borough’s commitment to supporting good food.

Download a PDF version of the full report
Links to download each of the six individual maps, and the Good Food for London 2013 Borough League Table, are provided below

Why are we asking London councils to support good food?

The food we eat, and our relationship to it, affects not only our own wellbeing, but also our ability to build strong, vibrant communities and ensure a healthy planet. But the capital’s food system has many problems. Well over half of adults in London are overweight or obese, with more than a fifth of 10-11 year olds at risk of being obese, above the national average. London’s food system is also directly responsible for nearly 19 million tonnes of London’s annual greenhouse gas emissions, a figure that must be curbed if we are to take seriously our commitments to reduce our contribution to climate change.

London's local authorities feed millions of people every day – including the most vulnerable, such as young children, older people and those with health problems or disabilities. Good food is also vitally important to achieving many of the wider objectives with which councils are charged. Boroughs are therefore well placed to play a positive role in helping to transform our food system for the better.

What are we asking for?

We are calling on London Boroughs to sign up to six key good food initiatives. Each initiative represents a significant action to support good food and is led by an expert organisation able to support London Boroughs to make the required changes.

There is a big difference in how the best and worst boroughs perform. View our Good Food for London 2013 league table to see how your borough performs or select an issue from the list  below to view a London map representing the uptake across the capital. The measures are:

Are our demands realistic?

Yes, these measures aren’t new! All six initiatives we’re asking London boroughs to sign up to are already being demonstrated across the capital and each is supported by an expert organisation to support boroughs to make the change. In fact, the top four boroughs in the league table - Islington, Merton, Camden and Tower Hamlets – are participating in all six initiatives.   

Can London Boroughs be doing more?

Absolutely, the measures chosen are just the start. If we’re to create a healthy, ethical and sustainable food system that benefits all Londoners, Boroughs need to prioritise good food and recognise its importance in achieving many of the objectives with which they are charged. For example, new Borough responsibilities for public health present a great opportunity to put good food at heart of efforts to achieve health and wellbeing objectives.