Report gives Hackney Council food for thought

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Hackney has scored 27th out of 33 boroughs in this year’s Good Food for London report. It languishes at the bottom, scoring only two out of a possible six-and-a-half points.

The borough was commended for its achievements in the areas of food growing and Fairtrade but fell down on food in schools, sustainable fish, animal welfare, healthy catering and bees.

Islington topped the league table for the second year running and Hackney’s other neighbours, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest, were also at the upper end of the table.

The Good Food for London 2012 report, produced by London Food Link, provides a league table of local authorities on their support for key good food initiatives, such as community food growing, high quality school food, helping local food outlets serve healthier food, and buying ethical food in schools and local authority canteens – including Fairtrade products, cage-free eggs and sustainable fish.

Responding to report, Cllr Sophie Linden said: “It is disappointing to be so low down the league table as we are very committed to many of the elements that make up this report.

“We have been A Fairtrade borough since 2008, and we actively support businesses  and communities.

“Our parks and open spaces have many gardens growing food and we are working with residents on estates to encourage food growing.  The number of food gardens has increased since 2010.”

Top scorer Islington (6 points) was followed closely by Merton (5.5), Camden (4.5), Enfield (4.5), Greenwich (4.5), Havering (4.5), Richmond-upon Thames (5), Sutton (4.5), Tower Hamlets (5) and Waltham Forest (4.5).

For the full report go to London Food Link.