Sustain finds London councils taking strategic approach to improving food choices in the capital

An increasing number of councils in the city are supporting food partnerships and working collaboratively with their community, business and voluntary sectors to tackle complex, cross-sector food issues, according to this year’s Good Food Local: London report, coordinated by Sustain and supported by the Mayor of London. The report, which tracks council action on food, shows that there has been significant progress with 26 out of 33 councils now part of an active food partnership and 10 with bold, up to date food strategies, showing how councils are embedding long-term, strategic work on food.

Those involved in Good Food Local have also seen the importance of taking this benchmarking approach; almost three in four councils surveyed (25 councils in London) in a separate impact survey revealed the report itself has had a significant impact on them taking a joined-up approach to addressing food insecurity, health and sustainability simultaneously rather than in silos. 

Andy Gold, Head of Food Strategy, London Borough of Newham said:

Every year the Good Food London survey is an opportunity for us as a borough to understand where we are, set targets for what we could be doing next and, importantly, acknowledge and celebrate what we have achieved.  The report, and the brilliant team at Sustain behind it, have been with us every step of the way as we have taken forward a whole systems approach to food, bringing together boroughs facing similar challenges, driving the sharing of best practice and, however big the task or challenge has sometimes appeared, encouraging us to take a bite out of it and, keep going.

With people living in London continuing to feel the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, and with councils themselves facing huge challenges with funding and resource cuts and wider uncertainties, this joined-up, place based approach to food work is more than welcome. 

Sarah Williams, Programmes Director, Sustain said:

Having tracked council led action on food issues for several years, we are encouraged to see partnerships taking centre stage, recognising how they help places make good, joined up decisions, innovate solutions and take action where it matters.  Having come through challenges, and with more potential disruption to food supply, it’s critical London builds a diverse, resilient food system. We hope councils continue to value and invest in their enabling role and support food partnerships join the dots, build healthy food environments and be better prepared for future shocks through creating a resilient supply of good food.

Work to reduce food poverty has stepped up according to the report. Councils are dedicating time and resources to improving school meals, with 12 councils reported to be funding Universal Free School Meals (UFSM) beyond primary school aged children, and/or putting in place a proactive school food improvement programme in their boroughs so pupils can access healthy, nutritious and sustainable food. Others are demonstrating significant action to improve food access for people with no recourse to public funds, who are at high risk of experience food insecurity with minimal support options.

Taking meaningful action to address the climate and nature emergency is an area for councils to focus on in the future, and using their purchasing power to provide healthy, planet friendly and ethically sourced food is critical. Whilst less advancement is reported in these areas, Sustain celebrates the councils providing more opportunities for Londoners to grow their own food, with Southwark being the first council to adopt a Right to Grow motion.

Isabel Rice, London Food Poverty Campaign Co-ordinator, Sustain said:

We have so much to celebrate this year; despite difficult conditions we have seen most councils improving their scores overall, with increased efforts to support food insecure Londoners, which unfortunately is still greatly needed.  We are delighted that 31 of the 33 London councils are now engaging with us on this work, we welcome new councils, and commend those that continue to put good food for residents on their agenda.

Read the full report here and look out for news on Sustain’s national benchmarking tool, soon to be available to many more councils to help them make and measure impact across the food and farming system. Sign up to the Good Food Local newsletter to find out more.