Useful organisations and initiatives
Food for Life Catering Mark
Using a step-wise approach to promote healthy, sustainable, ethical and local food, the Food for Life Catering Mark provides an easy way for public and private bodies to procure food that create significant opportunities for businesses throughout the local food chain, including producers, processors and caterers.
Growing Communities
Growing Communities is a community-led box scheme and farmers market in London that provides sustainably produced food, supports local producers and creates jobs in the local community. Through its Start-Up Programme, Growing Communities is helping groups across the UK to set up similar schemes.
Making Local Food Work (MLFW)
The Making Local Food Work partnership promotes community food enterprises, including food coops, buying groups, farmers markets, community owned shops and community supported agriculture. MLFW has a Local Food Systems programme that helps local food enterprises work together for mutual benefit.
New Economics Foundation (NEF)
New Economics Foundation research shows that Local Authorities could multiply the amount of money circulating in the local food economy by 400% if they gave procurement contracts to local food businesses. NEF programmes such as BizFizz and Reimagine Your Highstreet support local economic revival.
Planning Advisory Notes
Brighton and Hove County Council have published a planning advisory note that urges developers to include food growing areas in new schemes. As well reducing food miles, benefits will include improved physical and mental health, increased biodiversity and a greener urban landscape.