October 16th, is World Food Day 2024 and it’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate the community food partners across the borough that give residents the opportunity to get involved in cookery, food growing, and providing vital food aid for people struggling to afford meals. You can find out who they are on the directories featured below and available via our website.
Lewisham's Silver Sustainable Award
In August we found out that Lewisham had been awarded a prestigious Sustainable Food Places Silver Award. Last month, to celebrate, we organised a Silver Award celebration event at The Albany to recognise all the amazing work of community groups and partners working to improve Lewisham's food system, including those that had paved the way such as GCDA who founded Good Food Lewisham, and Public Health Lewisham who fund the network.
Community champions and groups receiving their Good Food Lewisham Silver Award Recognition certificate at the Albany in September. Photo credit RMUK Wellbeing CIC
You can watch a video of our celebration event here.
If you were unable to attend the event and would like to receive a certificate, please email goodfood@lewishamlocal.com with this request.
Partners can download the Silver Award logo to link to your websites and socials here:
Photo left - Coco Collective receiving their Silver recognition award
Black History Month
This Sunday 20th of October, Coco Collective have a free Black History Harvest Family Day, funded by Lewisham Council with a range of activities from food growing, African drumming, spoken word and discussion circles. Gardening from 11am. Book your ticket here: Black History Harvest- family day Tickets, Sun, Oct 20, 2024 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite
Watch this short video below to find out more about the space, opportunities to hire and follow their Instagram for upcoming events.
Lewisham Council has a calendar of events for Black History Month on their website: Lewisham Council - Black History Month 2024
London Challenge Poverty Week
This week also mark's London Challenge Poverty Week, an opportunity to look at some of the root causes of poverty and how we can address these together. You may want to follow 4in10 charity on social media who are leading on the campaign. Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Do check out the week's programme of events on their webpage.
Upcoming Training and events
Lewisham Local is hosting a Business Networking at parlez, Brockley Tickets, Thu 17 Oct 2024 at 16:00 | Eventbrite. Read more Lewisham Local Business news here: Collaborate with businesses on your doorstep✨ (mailchi.mp)
Apple Day this Saturday 19th October Chinbrook Meadows park orchard! With an @theorchardproject recipe apple pie using Bountiful and Lemon Pippin apples from the orchard with fabulous @alittlecuptea teas to drink!
Healthy Start Training Monday 21st October 4pm
Learn more about the Healthy Start scheme which gives money for low-income families with children under 4 to spend on healthy food and milk. Free Training on the Healthy Start Scheme with Citizens Advice Tickets, Mon 21 Oct 2024 at 16:00 | Eventbrite
How to create a volunteering role, Tuesday 22nd October, 12pm
SPILL THE BEANS VOL3 Tickets, Wed 23 Oct 2024 at 18:00 | Eventbrite -UK's no 1 event for Black/ ethnic minority entrepreneurs to get their products in front of supermarket buyers.
National Energy Action (NEA) - the UK's leading fuel poverty charity National Energy Action through The Felix Project can come to community groups to speak to residents about saving money on their energy bills. Please see the link to the slides NEA presentation Sept 2024 (002).pdf. For referrals and advice please use this link Warm and Safe Homes Advice - National Energy Action (NEA)
Laura can be contacted at laura.north@nea.org.uk if you would like to arrange a session at your organisation . Please read through the slides before contacting Laura so you can check what information / advice they would be able to offer.
Thursday 21 November 2024 • 10:0012:00
First of three workshops as part of a new Sustain programme for the food and farming sector.
An Introduction to The Alliance for Dignified Food Support and their Dignity Toolkit with Feeding Britain 28th November 2024, 3.30-4.30pm - You can sign up to attend or receive a copy of the recording here.
Updated free and low-cost food list
We have updated our list of free and low-cost food provision to direct people to community food support such as community meals, food banks and social supermarkets.
If you are aware of any winter or Christmas projects in planning, let us know and we will include in our upcoming Christmas provision list.
You can find links to the following directories on our website:
Other updates
Food Giving Groups Network in person meeting
On October 10th, food giving groups (such as food banks, social supermarkets or community meals) came together at The Felix Project to discuss their needs, plans for winter and offer support and advice to one another. Eight food projects came attended and it was inspiring to hear all the great work that was happening. If you are part of a food giving group and would like to join future meetings, you can find meeting dates and sign up here on our Eventbrite page.
Helen leaves Good Food Lewisham
Helen Jackson, Lewisham Local's Food Partnership Coordinator is sadly leaving Lewisham Local this month to go travelling in South America and explore new food systems. Helen joined the team in April 2022, and has overseen the development of Good Food Lewisham's Steering Group, network meetings and activities since Lewisham Local started to host the network. Having helped to develop our new three-year action plan and the application for our Sustainable Silver Award, she has a lot to be proud of. We wish Helen to best of luck in the future.
While we are in the process of recruiting a new coordinator, you can keep in touch with us at goodfood@lewisham.org or call Lewisham Local's office: 0208 488 9224.
Helen and steering group member Andrea at People's Day 2022.
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