Efforts to raise food access and quality in Lewisham is recognised in award

Lewisham has won a silver Sustainable Food Places award, which recognises the borough’s work to promote healthy, sustainable and local food.

The award also celebrates Lewisham’s commitment to addressing critical food-related social challenges, such as food poverty, diet-related health issues and the decline of independent food retailers.

Recent improvements in the borough have been driven by Lewisham’s food partnership, Good Food Lewisham – a network of people working together to promote healthy, sustainable and affordable food that is grown, produced and prepared locally.

Over the past two years the partnership has focused on ensuring greater access to good food for everyone, increasing food production in the borough and increasing uptake of the Healthy Start initiative – a national scheme that provides money for families with young children on a low income to buy healthy foods such as milk, fruit and vegetables.

Councillor Paul Bell, cabinet member for public health and adult social care, said: “Food is a human right. Far too many of our fellow residents go without food far too often.

“I’m delighted that Lewisham has won this award. The partnership is a cause not just a job. Well done to all the members of the partnership for everything they do.”

Pictured top: Volunteers at the Evelyn Community Store promoting the Healthy Start scheme (Picture: Lewisham council)