Today, the London Assembly’s Environment Committee released the findings of a recent investigation into food growing in the capital which makes strong recommendations in support of the Right to Grow.
The report – London: A Growing City? – which outlines the key barriers to food growing in London, and what the Mayor can do to increase community food growing was launched in recognition of the increasing threats of food system instability, and the impact it will have on London’s food system. These threats are captured in a recent report by Professor Tim Lang for the National Preparedness Commission, which also recommends the Right to Grow.
In order to rise up to the challenges we face in the future, the London Assembly points out that community food growers need support from authorities; “The Mayor of London has an important strategic role to play to support food policy across the capital, providing strategic planning guidance, and supporting London-wide networks and training. As a strategic authority, the Greater London Authority (GLA) can help support local food growing through ensuring it is integrated in regional planning frameworks, including the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), London Green Infrastructure Framework (LGIF) and the upcoming revision of the London Plan.”
The report makes several key recommendations including important topics such as improving funding, ensuring responsible roles within councils, and reducing barriers for ethnic minorities. It also strongly supports the adoption of Right to Grow policies at local authority level, and encouragement to do so from the Mayor. This includes building support for the Right to Grow into the Mayor’s plans for a resilient food system, and to encourage London boroughs to work with communities to support a right to grow through amendments to the London Plan.
“It’s great to see the Right to Grow recommended by the London Assembly, particularly in connection to its role as a tool to support us adapting to an uncertain future. What’s important is that local authorities recognise the Right to Grow as an opportunity to enhance the relationship between citizen and state. It’s a chance to show that we, the people, will play a crucial role in adaptation, and that through collaboration between citizen and state we can bring about the systemic change which is essential in building a sustainable future.” – Pru Elliott, Incredible Edible.
Tori Sherwin from Incredible Edible Lambeth, Sarah Williams from Sustain and Ruth Arnott from Southwark Council (which recently adopted a Right to Grow) all spoke in strong support of the Right to Grow during the investigation.
