Islington is celebrating its first ever Food Week, which will aim to reshape the future of food in the borough, according to a local group.
Islington Food Partnership is hosting 20 events from 6 March to 12 March to raise awareness about a wide range of issues, including food waste, food insecurity and climate impacts.
Residents can attend a range of free events.
Today (8 March) from midday, locals will be able to attend a seed sowing session at Octopus Plant Nursery to learn how to plant and grow their own vegetables.
Also on Wednesday is the week’s highlight, The Union Chapel Big Debate: How can We Reclaim our Food.
The event will feature a panel including food injustice campaigner Christina Adan, Chair of London Food Board, Clair Pritchard, and Director of Hanley Crouch Community Association, Colin Adams MBE.
Tomorrow (9 March), the partnership is hosting The Big Islington Food Visit where residents can join local volunteers to visit Islington restaurants, shops and markets to better understand how to support their local food economy.
The week is being launched in partnership with the Council to promote Islington’s new food strategy, which is to be implemented between 2023 and 2028.
Almost half of the children who live in the borough are living in poverty, and over 19,000 people experience moderate or high levels of food insecurity, according to a recent report from the council.
“We’re working towards making sure everyone has access to healthy, affordable food – we’re supporting a sustainable local food economy for local businesses to thrive, we’re bringing about people-powered change and we’re also doing what we can to tackle the climate and nature emergency head on,” said Alex Britten, Chair of Islington Food Partnership, which launched in 2019.
“With the current cost of living crisis, our work is more important than ever. We’re determined to make a real difference to the lives, and plates, of every single person in Islington,” Britten continued.
