Capital Eats: An analysis of London's food economy

The complexities and significance of the food sector in London is summarised in this report. Europe's biggest city contains a quarter of the UK population, half the nation's restaurants covering a huge range of national cuisines and around 60,000 registered food businesses. Some 10% of all jobs in London are linked to the food sector, and farming, while a tiny part of the capital's GDP, covers about 12,000 hectares of Greater London's land area. 'Capital Eats' offers statistics, analysis and policy options for making London's food system more sustainable and more diverse. Sectors include farming, retail, manufacturing, catering, wholesale and farmers' markets and social enterprises.

Report contents

Summary

Overview of London's food economy

Policy developments 2003/04

Introduction

• Changing eating and shopping habits
• The scope of the report
• Background and rationale

London’s food economy

• Social Food Projects
• Farmers’ Markets
• Wholesale Markets
• Restaurants and Catering
• Retailing
• Food manufacturing & processing
• Farming

Policy frameworks

• Local issues
• London-wide policy documents
• National policies

Conclusion and policy options

Appendicies

Methodology

London Food Link

References

Case studies

• Eostre Organic Farmer Co-op
• BME Manufacturer of Indian Ready Meals
• Wright’s Millers
• Fresh & Wild
• Asian Independent Retailer (member of Londis symbol group)
• Bartlett Mitchell
• Brown’s Hotel
• Hospital Haute Cuisine at the Royal Brompton
• Organic Lamb and Beef in Essex
• A Winter Life-Line for Dorset Fishermen

Note: ‘We would like to retract the statement on page VI, that 'at least 80% of the food we consume in London is imported from overseas'. This is taken from the report City Limits, by Best Foot Forward which, after  further investigation, does not appear to be correct.’