• Newham wins recognition for promoting healthy and sustainable food initiatives
Newham Council is proud to announce it’s been recognised for its work to promote good and sustainable food environments, in the recently published Good Food Local: The London Report 2025.
The award, presented by Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming, highlights the Council's unwavering dedication to promoting healthy and sustainable food initiatives throughout the borough.
Councillor Neil Wilson, Cabinet Member for Health and Adults Social Care at Newham Council, said:
"I am delighted we have been awarded the highest score among the councils for showing leadership on a whole-system approach to food, including governance, food growing, community food action, addressing food poverty, and ethnic and cultural diversity in the food system”.
The comprehensive report evaluates London boroughs across multiple areas, including food governance and strategy, community food growing, tackling food poverty, healthier food environments, sustainable food economy, catering and procurement and food for the planet. Newham Council's holistic and integrated approach to food has been highlighted as exemplary, reflecting its commitment to enhancing the well-being of its residents.
Key Achievements of Newham Council:
- Established a comprehensive food strategy aligned with the Sustainable Food Places’ six key themes to ensure a co-ordinated approach to food-related challenges.
- Actively supports community food- growing initiatives, empowering residents to engage in sustainable agriculture while fostering community cohesion and education around healthy eating.
- Implemented measures to address food insecurity in response to the cost-of-living crisis, including support for food partnerships and collaboration with local organisations to improve access to affordable, nutritious food.
- Promotes healthier food environments by encouraging nutritious food choices and implementing policies that increase the availability of healthy options in local establishments.
- Invests in programmes that provide healthy meals in schools and early years’ settings to improve health outcomes and instil lifelong healthy eating habits.
Newham Council is grateful to all partners, community groups, and residents who have contributed to these initiatives. This collective effort exemplifies the borough's commitment to building a healthier and more sustainable future.
For more information on Newham Council's food initiatives and to access the full Good Food Local: The London Report 2025, please visit the Sustain website.
