Southwark Council has been commended for its action on food poverty – including banning junk food ads and encouraging corner shops to stock healthy products.
Healthy food advocacy group London Food Link said Southwark was one of four London boroughs that “stand out as… leaders” in helping its residents to live healthier lives.
Cllr Evelyn Akoto, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We are proud to be recognised as leaders in promoting good food for all. This is especially urgent with more and more families going hungry as the cost of living soars and obesity rates increase.
“In Southwark, we are getting to the root of the problem while looking at all the ways we can help families access healthy food they can afford.”
Southwark’s work includes:
- Being one of four councils to ban junk food advertising across its advertising portfolio
- Encouraging 35 local shops to stock more healthy food products
- Being one of the first councils to invest in free, healthy school meals for all primary school children, guaranteeing children a hot, nutritious meal at lunchtime. This is set to extend to some secondary school pupils.
- Increasing the take up of Healthy Start cards so families with children under four and pregnant women can buy more healthy food
- Delivering an action plan that focuses on the root causes of food poverty to create a fairer food system for all
Kath Dalmeny, chief executive at Sustain, said: “London’s councils have a critically important role to play in ensuring that all Londoners can eat well.
“Where access to healthy and sustainable food is prioritised, our city is prosperous, green and thriving. Community gardens flourish, children and older people are well fed, and money flows to local food enterprises, building economic resilience.
“The Good Food for All Londoners report shows what can be achieved when we set our hearts, minds and policies to achieving a better food system.
“It is now our duty to make this work for everybody, not just for those in boroughs showing leadership.”