Food justice action plan
The plan
In the current cost of living crisis, food insecurity is one of the biggest challenges facing Lewisham residents. The number of people relying on foodbanks continues to rise, but emergency food providers are struggling to support some of the most vulnerable in the borough.
Our vision for Lewisham is that:
- all Lewisham residents can enjoy reliable and fair access to food that is sufficiently nutritious, sustainable, culturally appropriate and affordable
- all Lewisham residents have the knowledge, skills, resources and opportunity to grow, prepare, cook, eat and share food with their families and communities
- all Lewisham stakeholders support collective action to end chronic hunger, promote food resilience and reduce the need for emergency food aid
- all members of the Lewisham Food Justice Alliance and other key stakeholders have access to data to monitor the scale of the issue and to determine whether the actions taken are having a positive impact on residents
The food justice action plan identifies four priority areas where action will help achieve this vision:
- Take preventative action to reduce the risk of Lewisham residents experiencing food injustice.
- Ensure children and young people can access nutritious, sustainable and culturally appropriate food throughout the year.
- Co-ordinate resources, capacity and expertise to maximise the support available to those in crisis.
- Promote and develop “Money First” approaches, where appropriate, to crisis prevention and support.
You can read more about these priorities in the full food justice action plan.
Activity so far
In August 2023, we partnered with Lewisham Local to award nearly £90,000 to support community food projects in the borough.
Funded our Public Health team and funds raised through Lewisham Local’s Cost of Living Crisis Appeal, the grant addresses challenges facing food-giving projects such as:
- increased demand from residents experiencing food insecurity
- decreasing donations
- increasing food prices
One of the organisations that received funds was Feed the Hill, which is a food bank and social supermarket in New Cross.
Food Justice Alliance
In October 2023, to mark London Challenge Poverty Week, Public Health Lewisham and Lewisham Local launched a new Food Justice Alliance to collaboratively support the delivery of Lewisham’s Food Justice Action Plan.
You can read more about the event on our blog post Lewisham Council - Launch of the Lewisham Food Justice Alliance.
Get involved
Our food justice action plan is ambitious, which is why we want to work with organisations, community groups and anyone who has an interest in or can support this important work.
- if you are part of an organisation or service who is working to achieve food justice in Lewisham and would like to join an alliance of partners who are working together to help deliver actions from the plan, we would love to hear from you. Contact foodjusticeactionplan@lewisham.gov.uk to get in touch
- if you are a local resident passionate about food justice and transforming the world of food in Lewisham, join the Good Food Lewisham network
- if you would like to volunteer with a local food justice organisation, please see Lewisham Local’s directory: Volunteer with a local food bank or project
How you can support Lewisham’s Food Justice Action Plan
Everyone who lives, works or learns in Lewisham can commit to tackle food injustice in the borough.
Our food justice action plan is ambitious, which is why we want to work with organisations, community groups and anyone who has an interest in or can support this important work. See below for the many ways you can support the Food Justice Action Plan.
Residents and communities can:
- donate home- or allotment-grown fruit and vegetables to food aid organisations in the borough
- volunteer with a Lewisham food project
- visit Lewisham Local’s volunteering web pages for more details of how you can get involved
- share food for free or sign up to claim someone else’s unwanted food and stop surplus from going to waste using Olio
- become a member of the Good Food Lewisham network
- join the Lewisham Local card scheme
- raise awareness of what services and support are available for those experiencing or in danger of food insecurity
Businesses can:
- become a member of the Good Food Lewisham network
- become a London Living Wage employer and use contractors who pay the London Living Wage
- accept the Healthy Start Card which enables customers on a low income to buy a selection of healthy foods
- use an app or food rescue organisation, such as Olio, Food Cloud, Too Good To Go or Plan Zheroes to stop surplus food from going to waste
- achieve the Healthier Catering Commitment Award to increase the range of healthier options available
- sign up to the Good Food Lewisham Business Charter to demonstrate how your business is supporting good food in Lewisham
- sign up to the Breast Feeding Friendly Network
- use our Community Exchange to offer spaces within venues for meetings and food preparation as well as other resources
- help us make Lewisham a carbon neutral borough. Sign up to the climate emergency mailing list
- raise awareness of what services and support are available for those experiencing or in danger of food insecurity
Lewisham-based organisations including public sector, third sector and community organisations can:
- become a member of the Good Food Lewisham Network
- promote Lewisham’s Worrying About Money leaflet to people facing final difficulties in Lewisham
- join our Food Giving Network to work with other organisations across the borough to provide coordinated support to beneficiaries and reduce duplication of provision
- contact: goodfood@lewishamlocal.com
- use our Community Exchange to offer spaces within venues for meetings and food preparation as well as other resources
- commit to paying the London Living Wage and use contractors who pay the London Living Wage
- help us make Lewisham a carbon neutral borough. Sign up to the climate emergency mailing list
- give local businesses priority in bidding for certain contracts. Refer to Lewisham Council’s Sustainable procurement Strategy [PDF]
- raise awareness of what services and support are available for those experiencing or in danger of food insecurity
Schools and early years services can:
- become a member of the Good Food Lewisham network
- promote eligible pupils to take up free school meals https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/education/student-pupilsupport/free-school-meals-and-extra-support-for-your-child
- promote the Healthy Start Scheme and support families to apply for the benefit
- achieve Healthy Early Years London Award
- raise awareness of what services and support are available for those experiencing or in danger of food insecurity
- support provision of food outside of lunch at school, for example breakfast clubs (such as Magic Breakfast), hosting holiday time meals, family kitchen cooking clubs or family meal sharing opportunities
- consider allowing local projects to use school kitchens/rooms to produce community meals and store ingredients
Useful resources
If you or someone you know needs financial support and advice, please visit our cost of living webpage for more information.
Lewisham Local also has a specific community meals and food page.
Get in touch with our Food Justice Team using the email below.
Or you can contact Lewisham Local
Email: goodfood@lewishamlocal.com
Phone: 0208 488 9224