Jenny Jones, Green Party Member of the London Assembly and Deputy Mayor of London will be hosting this conference that will discuss how to bring affordable fresh food and vegetable to London’s housing estates.
Jenny explained, “We are bombarded with news stories about poor diets and obesity but hear very little about innovative ideas that tackle these problems.
I have had opportunity to visit pioneering projects like breakfast clubs in schools, healthy tuck shops, community food coops and mobile food stores, many of these initiatives are run entirely by volunteers and we need to hear to lot more about them.”
Jenny added, “It is tragic that many people in housing estates can’t get to shops selling fresh produce and instead have to rely on unhealthy, processed and snack foods. It is appalling that up to 30% of East End children do not eat breakfast.
Obesity and food related illnesses are rising up the political agenda and I will be urging politicians to support the initiatives that will come out of this conference.
As well as bringing fresh and healthy food, these initiatives will also to help regenerate deprived areas.”
The conference will discuss innovative ways in which residents, community workers, volunteers and housing associations have been working together on food access projects.
London Food Link, working with East Thames and Newlon Housing Groups have organised the conference. The ‘Food Access and Social Housing in London’ conference is taking place on Friday 8th March at City Hall.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Jenny Jones has visited a number of food access schemes across the capital including
· Star Primary School, a school based food co-op market
· Wolsely’s Junior School Breakfast Club
· Roger Ascham Primary School Healthy Tuck Shop
· A volunteer run food co-opertive, Ferrier Estate, Greenwich
Food access is defined as adequate physical and economic access to appropriate, affordable and fresh diet.
ENDS