July Network Meeting - Tour of Frendsbury Gardens. Credit: Josey Crane-Burrows
We won the Sustainable Food Places Silver Award!
Thanks to everyone’s hard work building food justice, local food growing, local good food businesses, awareness of Healthy Start and all the other great things you all work on in your jobs, as volunteers, parents, residents etc. The combination of everyone’s efforts means Lewisham got the award. More detail in our blog post here:
We’ll be celebrating with a special network meeting on Wednesday 18th September 4-7pm at The Albany. There’ll be food, drinks, speakers on our work and fair trade food, projects showcased, activities and networking in the Albany’s cafe space and big garden. We would love to see you there.
Please sign up on Eventbrite here so we can for numbers for food, drinks and activities:
Sustainable Food Places / Sustain Statement Against Hate and Racist Violence + How we can be more actively anti-racist
In response to the racist and Islamophobic riots that have taken place across the UK, Sustain responds and reflects on how as a Good Food Movement we can be more actively anti-racist. Here’s their statement published on 13th August:
Please see the ‘resources’ section for resources around recent events and anti-racism.
July ‘Food for the Planet’ Network Meeting
Network Meeting at Honor Oak Community Centre. Credit: Laura Tilbury.
Thanks to all who attended and helped with our July network meeting and Action Plan launch. Honor Oak Community Centre hosted the meeting, people brought food to share in a ‘bring and share’, volunteers at Frendsbury Gardens gave us a fascinating tour (in the rain!), and we heard from lots of local and green organisations, including:
AFRIL Allotment
Climate Cafe
Energy Garden
Frendsbury Gardens
Grow London Local
Holistic Well Women
Honor Oak Community Centre + groups that use it e.g. Help in Hand community group/meal
LWCC Food Service
Right to Grow
South East London Community Energy
Other groups who supported or sent us information about their group/business included:
Amrutha Lounge
Buckthorne Cutting Nature Reserve
Climate Action Lewisham
Lewisham Homes Social Value Team
Phuong’s solar energy project
The Field community centre
There were contributions from many more people too – local residents, volunteers, students etc.
An outcome of this meeting is that we’ll he holding a Lewisham Green Network Meeting on Thursday 3rd October 6 - 8pm. Venue and details TBC. It would be great to see you there.
Our GFL Coordinator is leaving
Helen Jackson joined Lewisham Local / Good Food Lewisham in April 2022 as the Food Partnership Coordinator and will be leaving in October.
She’s enjoyed her role, especially meeting all the inspiring community activists and projects.
She hopes her work on the three year action plan, food growing network, as well as other projects, will be useful going forward.
FOOD JUSTICE UPDATES
Healthy Start Update
Lewisham has some incredible food pantries and social supermarkets supporting communities in times of need. We are happy to announce that they all now accept the Healthy Start card to help parents get more nutritional foods for their weekly allowance. If you are pregnant or have young children under four and are on Universal Credit you may be eligible for a Healthy Start card. This could help you pay for your basket of groceries from your local community project.
The new government has launched a consultation to expand the Healthy Start scheme to people with no recourse to public funds.
Information on Healthy Start: https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/
See events section for two trainings coming up.
Photo collage: Laura Tilbury - Showing projects offering Healthy Start vouchers
Holiday Hunger Resources
Lewisham Council have a factsheet with a list of resources and support available to families who are struggling with the cost of food, particularly during the school holidays. Please share as needed.
A reminder that Good Food Lewisham has a list of printable free and low-cost food provision on our website
FOOD GROWING UPDATES
Does your Community Garden want a Visit + Write up?
Our great GFL volunteer Josey who’s been visiting community gardens, doing interviews and blog posts like this one on Hilly Fields Orchard has now left. However, we’re still doing garden visits and blog posts in the summer and autumn so let us know if you’d like a visit and a write up.
Local Growers Collecting Seeds for Spring Seed Day: Please Help
People are starting to collect seeds for a seed scattering day they're hoping to run next spring. They’d be really grateful if you could collect as many seeds as possible over the coming months (food seeds especially) that can then be handed out at this event. Chard and nasturtiums are prolific seed makers and easy to grow.
Call out to Community Gardens to get involved with Lewisham Local’s World Food Day Campaign
Lewisham Local would like to showcase community food growing projects this coming World Food Day - 16th October. If you would like your group to be featured, send a video (recorded horizontally) of between 30 - 60 seconds from your growing space telling people why community food growing is important to you and how people can get involved with your project.
Please send videos to simone@lewishamlocal.com or WhatsApp 07544996722 by 30th September. Videos will be published on World Food Day on Good Food Lewisham and Lewisham Local’s social media channels.
Lewisham Homes Quarterly Gardens Meeting
There’s a quarterly meeting for people interested in doing community gardening on their housing estates in Lewisham – Lewisham Gardening Forum – organised by Lewisham Homes. The next one will be in the autumn. Please contact Farrah if you’re interested: Farrah.Wright-Codlin@lewisham.gov.uk
Sayes Court Garden Network Project: Greening Toolkit + Community Representative Role
The Sayes Court Garden Network project is one of the projects included within the Greening Evelyn Toolkit. Over the last couple of years a 'Greenspace Toolkit' for Evelyn Ward has been developed. The plan looks at how green spaces can be created, enhanced and managed with communities, for communities.
Find out more about Greening Evelyn with this short film: Greening Evelyn vision
The Sayes Court Garden Network Project is growing. As part of their ongoing work to make green spaces in Sayes Court estate more accessible and beneficial to the community who live there, we are recruiting for a Community Representative to join our Project Team (deadline 4th September). The role will ensure that the voice of the community remains central to our project as we move forward with the development of designs for three of the green spaces in Sayes Court. Contact london@nationaltrust.org.uk. For further information about the Sayes Court Garden Network Project, please visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/london/sayes-court-garden-network-project.
Seen events section for their upcoming events.
GOOD FOOD EVENTS HAPPENING SOON
Therapeutic Gardening for Wellbeing at Honor Oak Community Centre
Sayes Court: Free Family Events and Activities
The Horniman Museum, in collaboration with the Sayes Court Garden Network Project, are delivering an exciting series of free family-friendly nature themed workshops on Wednesday 21st & 28th August and Wednesday 4th & 11th September at the Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network Garden from 3-5pm. Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network garden, 341 Evelyn Street, SE8 5QX. No booking is required.
These events will focus on a range of wildlife-themed activities and include an opportunity for free tickets to the Horniman Museums ‘Dinosaur rEVOLUTION’ exhibition for those attending.
Healthy Start Trainings
On 27th August and 17th September. Learn more about Healthy Start, a government scheme that helps families with young children on a low-income buy healthy foods.
Citizens Advice, funded by the Greater London Authority (GLA) for the Food Roots Programme, are able to provide free training on the Healthy Start Scheme, a government scheme that helps families with young children on a low-income buy healthy foods and milk. The session will cover entitlement, application, usage and problems as well as other local support and any questions you may have around the Healthy Start Scheme.
Please select one of the two available dates when you register and you will then receive the joining link.
Debt Free Bus in Lewisham
The Debt Free Bus is out on Lewisham High Street on 29th and 30th August with qualified debt advisors offering free advice to residents. Please share in your networks.
Capital Growth Monthly Member Drop Ins + Training Sessions
New monthly member drop ins - next ones on 4th September and 4th October. More details of these as well as courses, trainings etc.: https://www.capitalgrowth.org/whats-on/
Food Giving Monthly Zooms
The next one is on Thursday 5th September. We may discuss the joint NCIL bid in this session.
The October session will be a bit different – an in person round table on the morning of 10th October at The Felix Project site looking at procurement and surplus food. More details to follow. Sign up via Eventbrite here.
Wild Cat Wilderness Ten Year Anniversary Weekend
Saturday 14th September 10am - 4.30pm.
Ten nature based workshops for adults / young people aged 16+ to celebrate ten years of the Wild Cat Wilderness community greenspace in Catford.
All workshops have a suggested minimum donation to cover costs and help fundraise for our charity project or pay what you can afford. Sessions include: Wildlife gardening and growing in a changing climate, Hatha Yoga, Natural Dyeing, Whittling / Green woodworking, Nature photography, A summer forage, Cynotype workshop, Reiki tasters sessions, Seasonal pickling / preserving. Book sessions via their Eventbrite page. On Sunday 15th September they have a family friendly celebration day. For more info see their website here: wildcatwilderness.org/whats-on
Wild Cat Wilderness in September 2024, Credit: Jermaine Bennet from Lewisham Local
RHS Threads of Nature Exhibition
Join us for an exciting and immersive exhibition featuring vibrant artworks by creative Alice Burnhope and talented local co-creators (Rosemin, Juliet, Emily, Sue, Judy, Theresa, Chia) from community gardens across Lewisham. Inspired by the rich collections of the RHS, explore the healing benefits of gardens through stunning drawings, textiles, prints, and installations, in this ‘modern day herbal’.
Come and join this celebration of creativity, nature, and community!
The exhibition will be on 13th – 15th September, 11:00 – 15:00, with free workshops throughout.
Location: Hartslane, 17 Harts Lane, London, UK SE14 5UP
GFL Network Meeting + Silver Award Celebration 18th September
As above, please sign up on Eventbrite: https://www.goodfoodlewisham.org/post/special-silver-award-celebration-network-meeting-18th-september
Business Breakfast with Mayor Brenda Dacres
Join for the Lewisham Business Breakfast at Lewisham College to hear Mayor Brenda Dacres share her vision for the future and share a full English breakfast.
Free for all, register now: https://ow.ly/y0zV50SXr22
Community Food Growers Network (London) and Landworkers’ Alliance (South East) Gathering Saturday 21st September
We are delighted to invite you to our next gathering at Kingsley Hall on Saturday 21st September 11am - 10pm, where we will be exploring possibilities for local, regional and global solidarity and resource sharing.
Lots more information and ticket booking can be found on their Eventbrite event and website: https://www.cfgn.org.uk/
New Parent and Child Cooking Classes (Age 7+ Years) in September
FREE two-week TASTER course with Adult Education Lewisham, where you and your children will have fun as you learn about the joys of cooking. This is immediately followed by an 8-week course where you can continue to build on what you have learned! All ingredients, and an apron for parents and children, will be provided. TASTER seasonal family meals on budget (age 7+ years) Thursdays 26th September – 3rd October 2024 16:00 – 18:00 and Thursdays 10th October – 5th December 16:00–18:00 £16. For detailed information and to enrol online visit : www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/education/adult/find-a-course/family-learning-courses Or call 020 8314 3300.
Pathways to Land project explores how to secure land for BPOC producers
Pathways to Land explores financial pathways to securing land appropriate to the needs of BPOC producers (Black and people of colour), who often face barriers to accessing finance based on their identity. Blog post, research and two events on 28th September and 7th October:
Join us for the first Lewisham Green Networking Evening
Come along to hear about the different initiatives in the borough, share what you’re up to and find the potential for collaboration to coalition build for a greener future for all.
On 3rd October 6 - 8pm. Location TBD.
For more info see Eventbrite.
Hosted by Lewisham Local and South East London Community Energy
LOCAL GOOD FOOD BUSINESSES
More businesses are joining our business network
The latest businesses to sign up are:
Hajia 1 - A brand new Ghanaian / West African restaurant on Lewisham High Street.
Antonio’s Deli, now offering 10% off shopping over £30 with a Lewisham Local Card.
Anamore Turkish Restaurant - 10% off Mondays to Thursdays.
Vegan Patty Lady
They had a great first year celebration party recently and things are going
well. You can order and find out
more here:
https://theveganpattylady.co.uk/how- to-order/
Lewisham Business Awards
Look out for public voting between 2nd September and 7th October. The in-person celebration will be held on Tuesday 19th November. There are now more categories relating to good food: https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/business/business-awards
Grow London Local
At Grow London Local, there is now one place to access all the free support needed to help grow businesses in Lewisham. If you own a food business or are a small business owner in Lewisham, Grow London Local provides you with access to expert business support. It's specifically designed for micro and small businesses. Simply book a session to discuss the right support needed to grow your business.
Please contact the designated Business Support Manager of Grow London Local for Lewisham, Winnie Cheng on wcheng@londonandpartners.com (or scan the QRcode below) to explore how personalised support can benefit your business.
Lewisham Local Business Newsletter
Don't forget we also have a business newsletter (which covers all local businesses not just food), which you can sign up to via our website here: https://www.lewishamlocal.com/sign-up-to-our-newsletter/
CAMPAIGNS
Right to Grow Project Update
The Lewisham Right to Grow group is moving forwards. There’s information on Grow Lewisham’s website about the project and how you can get involved, such as helping to map the borough for potential growing sites:
Information about the Right to Grow bill: https://www.incredibleediblelambeth.org/right-to-grow-bill/
There are a number of Right to Grow events coming up too from the Right to Grow Learning Network:
It would be great to have more people involved in the campaign – do get in touch if you’re interested. The plan is to have a meeting in September to discuss next steps once people are back from holidays.
Fairtrade Fortnight
Takes place from Monday 9 September – Sunday 22 September. This year, join us in urging everyone to Be the Change, by picking up Fairtrade products and speaking up for fairer trade. Check out our Fairtrade Fortnight 2024 digital campaign pack for tools to support you in getting involved, and read on for all the details of this year’s Fairtrade festivities.
Capital Growth Urban Harvest Month
Between 1 - 29 September, Capital Growth is inviting gardens across London to open their doors to volunteers and members of the public for their 15th annual Urban Harvest.
REQUESTS
CoCo Collective are looking for a Marketing and Outreach volunteer
“We run an Afro-diaspora led community garden in Bellingham, open to all, where we hold food growing workshops, wellbeing sessions and discussion groups. Our Ital Community Garden is 3 years old and in order to grow into an excellent future we’re seeking extra support in outreach. The Marketing and Outreach volunteer will help us to raise awareness about our project, promote our services in the local community and foster partnership with organisations and residents.”
If you’re interested in applying for the role or would like to have a chat for further information, please contact: Valerie Goode, Founding Director: cococollective.org@gmail.com
Volunteer Roles available related to Good Food
See Lewisham Local’s volunteer role listings here. There are usually at least some relating to Good Food e.g. at the moment there are roles at Kids Kitchen, Gardeners etc.
TRAINING + RESOURCES
This is Rubbish report on Food Justice
GFL organised a workshop to understand ‘what is food justice?’ with the organisation This is Rubbish. Their report Plenty to Share, which shares the learning and recommendations from the workshop series, has now been published.
Resources around recent events
Many organisations are writing statements and sharing resources around recent racist events. Here are some that may be useful.
The Women’s Environment Network have a list of resources:
Sustain’s statement:
The National Association for Voluntary and Community Action have a lot of resources: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navca/
Sustain resources around the new government’s food agenda
Sustain look at what the new Labour Government’s agenda is on food issues, including a new taskforce on child poverty, and have proposed Sustain's blueprint is for their first 100 days.
Certificate in Community Orcharding (CICO)
Great course with The Orchard Project: https://www.theorchardproject.org.uk/events/cico14/
FUNDING
Funding for Fruit Trees
The International Tree Foundation are offering funding of up to £6,000 for local community tree and hedging projects. Deadline in December. Please see their five page brochure here.
Please contact Lucy and Sam if you have any questions:
NCIL (Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy)
Are any food growing groups applying for NCIL funding? (Deadline 23rd Sept) We're keen to see how we can support applications and feed in learning from the last year to move the growing movement forward. It would be great if people can link to the Food Justice Action Plan and Good Food Lewisham Three Year Action Plan as there's food growing strategic stuff in both of these. Feel free to direct message or email - helen@lewishamlocal.com.
OTHER
Focus Group on Domestic Abuse 5th September
CVS partners are invited to join a focus group to explore how serious harm from Domestic Abuse is managed across London, on 5th September at 11:30: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/voluntary-community-sector-professional-insights-tickets-967767808567
Lewisham Pensioner’s Forum Annual Event 2nd October
AFRIL Allotment of Refuge Job Vacancy
Booking Sydenham Garden for events
Sydenham Gardens hire out their lovely space out at a reasonable rate.
Here you can find further information regarding hiring their Resource Centre and gardens – including T&Cs and booking form.
Wellbeing Community Space at Honor Oak Community Centre
Get Featured in this Newsletter
Reminder that you can have your good food business, project or event featured in this newsletter so do get in touch if you want something included. We're doing them a bit less often now, closer to every six weeks than monthly, so the next one's due out in early October. If you have ideas to improve the newsletter or want to get involved with it please get in touch too: goodfood@lewishamlocal.com.
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