26th Dec 2007 - 00:00
Abstract
London restaurateurs and businesses that make an effort to buy local organic products will get a chance for support from a new fund set up to promote sustainable food events in the capital.
The £70,000 small grant scheme by the London Development Agency and London Food Link will provide an essential boost for organisations to help them increase public awareness of sustainable food.
The fund will help deliver Mayor Ken Livingstone's Food Strategy Plan, published in September aiming to create a world class, sustainable food system for Londoners across the food chain from production to retail.
Grants from £500 to £5000 are available for a wide range of sustainable food events from helping restaurateurs to buy produce to showcasing sustainable food at community events.
London Food chairman Jenny Jones said: "Peope are increaasingly concerned about issues surrounding the environmental and social effects of food and are ready to do something about it
"The grants will encourage businesses and consumers to buy fresher, healthier and more affordable food while reducing the environmental impact of London'scurrent food supply."
Ben Reynolds of London Food Link added: "This is a great chance for community groups and small food businesses to ut on events that really connect local people with where their food comes from, how it is grown and the people that work to make it fres and affordable."