London Food Commission Launched at London Conference
A new London Food Commission is to be launched this weekend at the Mayor's London Conference. Deputy Mayor and Green Assembly Member, Jenny Jones will be joined at the launch by Mayor Ken Livingstone and Honor Chapman, Chair of the London Development Agency, which is funding the Commission.
A new London Food Commission is to be launched this weekend at the Mayor's London Conference. Deputy Mayor and Green Assembly Member, Jenny Jones will be joined at the launch by Mayor Ken Livingstone and Honor Chapman, Chair of the London Development Agency, which is funding the Commission.
The Mayor will announce he is appointing Jenny Jones as Chair of the Commission. The launch will take place at 12.30pm, Saturday 29th November in the Elizabeth Windsor Room, QEII centre. The Commission is being established to investigate food issues in the capital. London has lacked a strategic overview since the former London Food Commission was replaced by the national Food Commission.
Jenny Jones, Deputy Mayor and Chair of London Food Commission said:
"London's food industry is immense, serving over 7 million people a day. London has the most diverse multicultural population in the world, which enriches our food culture. The choices we make as consumers of food have huge environmental, social and economic implications. We need a sustainable food policy for London that is good for the environment, good for business and ensures access to fresh healthy food for all Londoners"
Honor Chapman, Chair, London Development Agency added: "I am delighted that we are launching this Commission as the London food industry is one of the largest sectors within the capital's economy, accounting for around 12% of London jobs. The LDA is currently undertaking research to look at all aspects of food production, food manufacturing in London and a range of connected issues."
"There are also over 12,000 hectares or nearly 30,000 acres of farmland in Greater London, representing nearly 8% of the capital's land. There are also over 400 farmers in London who are struggling to cope with problems such as low market prices, poor infrastructure and weak links to the consumer. These are small and medium sized companies whose interests need to be considered in any discussions about the future of London's economy."
Mayor Ken Livingstone said, "I am delighted to be resurrecting the London Food Commission - a body I was proud to first establish when leader of GLC in the 1980s. Awareness of the problems caused by food poverty, poor diet and lack of access to good local retail food outlets is growing. The new Food Commission will provide a strategic focus across London to address these and other issues."
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The Mayor will announce he is appointing Jenny Jones as Chair of the Commission. The launch will take place at 12.30pm, Saturday 29th November in the Elizabeth Windsor Room, QEII centre. The Commission is being established to investigate food issues in the capital. London has lacked a strategic overview since the former London Food Commission was replaced by the national Food Commission.
Jenny Jones, Deputy Mayor and Chair of London Food Commission said:
"London's food industry is immense, serving over 7 million people a day. London has the most diverse multicultural population in the world, which enriches our food culture. The choices we make as consumers of food have huge environmental, social and economic implications. We need a sustainable food policy for London that is good for the environment, good for business and ensures access to fresh healthy food for all Londoners"
Honor Chapman, Chair, London Development Agency added: "I am delighted that we are launching this Commission as the London food industry is one of the largest sectors within the capital's economy, accounting for around 12% of London jobs. The LDA is currently undertaking research to look at all aspects of food production, food manufacturing in London and a range of connected issues."
"There are also over 12,000 hectares or nearly 30,000 acres of farmland in Greater London, representing nearly 8% of the capital's land. There are also over 400 farmers in London who are struggling to cope with problems such as low market prices, poor infrastructure and weak links to the consumer. These are small and medium sized companies whose interests need to be considered in any discussions about the future of London's economy."
Mayor Ken Livingstone said, "I am delighted to be resurrecting the London Food Commission - a body I was proud to first establish when leader of GLC in the 1980s. Awareness of the problems caused by food poverty, poor diet and lack of access to good local retail food outlets is growing. The new Food Commission will provide a strategic focus across London to address these and other issues."
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Published Friday 28 November 2003
London Food Link: London Food Link brings together community food enterprises and projects that are working to make good food accessible to everyone in London to help create a healthy, sustainable and ethical food system for all.
