NEWS
Schools
- sustainable development and food
‘Sustainable Development – an action plan’ for
schools, colleges, universities from the DfES, aims 'to promote
greater consideration to the environment and society'.This includes
the promotion of local provision and fairly traded food on the
DfES estate, and embedding of the implications of plans for food
into the school curriculum.
Somerset Apples for
Somerset Schools
Somerset’s school children are to be provided with locally-grown
Somerset apples as part of their midday meal through an initiative
which aims to introduce more local produce into school catering
contracts.
01823480044 or mary.hughes@ukonline.co.uk
Source: Sustain
The
Green Canteen survey
The Green Canteen survey - Sustain has published a new short survey
card for use in public canteens such as schools, universities,
hospitals. It is available in hard copy or on the website.
School
meals: Government must do better
The Government is failing to ensure that children at primary schools
are given healthy food that meets its own nutritional standards
and more money is spent on prison food than primary school lunches
Government
commits to environmental purchasing
The government has made two announcements representing a major
shift in the way the public sector buys goods and services.
From 1 November, all central government departments must apply
the minimum environmental standards when buying certain types
of product. These standards include energy efficiency, recycled
content and biodegradability
Also see Defra's Sustainable
food procurement initiative
Why
fast food makes you get fat
The nutritional make up of fast food encourages people to gorge
on it unintentionally, increasing their risk of obesity, research
suggests.
Bringing
in the Harvest, Without a Farm in Sight
An update on CSAs in New York, where over 6,000 residents are
involved in buying shares in farm prodcution.
Insurance
cover refused to GM farms
Insurance companies are refusing cover for farmers intending to
grow genetically modified crops over fears that the potential
risks could lead to huge payouts in the future.
Retail
threat for African farmers
Small farmers in Africa risk being swept out of agriculture by
a wave of supermarket expansion, the UN's Food and Agriculture
Organization warned.
Sainsbury's
targets farmers' markets
Sainsbury's is trying to cash in on the growing popularity of
farmers' markets by introducing branches offering a wider range
of fresh and specialist foods. The stores are called Sainsbury's
Markets and offer delicatessen goods, cheeses, meat, fish and
breads, along with fresh take-away food.
Social
enterprise sector set to make big impact
THE UK's social enterprise sector will become "a force to
be reckoned" within the next two decades due to its contribution
to the economy and its impact on social well-being.
CAP
consultation extended
The government consultation on how best to implement reform of
the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) agreement has been extended
until 24 October. The consultation - originally ending on 10th
October - seeks views on a number of key issues following the
CAP reform agreement of 26 June.
Food
Fortnight
hailed a success
Media coverage of British Food Fortnight reached 70m people, according
to the organiser the Rural Regeneration Unit.The campaign was
supported by Farmers Weekly and 15,000 information packs were
sent to schools, shops, pubs and restaurants.
Monsanto
to quit Europe
Monsanto, the world's largest GM seed company, is pulling out
of the European cereal business in a surprise move that raised
hopes of victory among anti-GM campaigners.
Banning
GM crops not enough to save wildlife
Although these farm-scale evaluations are being portrayed as a
test of the environmental credentials of GM crops, it is really
the weedkillers to which they are resistant that are on trial.
If the aim of the exercise really is to save farmland wildlife,
banning any of the GM crops tested is unlikely to make much difference.
Farm-scale
evaluations of GM crops - results published
PUBLICATIONS / WEBSITES
Countryside
Exchange Reports
Over the years, more than 80 communities on three continents have
charted new directions through Countryside Exchange. The reports
from these Exchanges hold many ideas for others as well. See agri-tourism
Exchange in the Hudson River Valley.
Food
for Life school meals’ report
The Government is failing to ensure that children at primary schools
are given healthy food that meets its own nutritional standards
according to a new report from Food for Life and published by
the Soil Association.
The report 'Enterprise
for Communities: Proposals for a Community Interest Company -
Report on the public consultation and the government's intentions'
(URN 03/1344) is available to download in pdf format from www.dti.gov.uk/cics
EVENTS
Food Links UK Conference
Local Food Links – Ideas into Action – 27 Nov. 2003
A one-day conference in Yorkshire to highlight the new policy
agenda for food and farming and show how local projects can best
support health, regeneration and environmental objectives. Showing
how sustainable food and farming policy can be delivered on the
ground.
Key Note Speakers - Caroline Lucas MEP, Jeremy Pope, Baroness
Sue Miller
Chair of conference - Tim Lang
More
information and booking details.
For initial enquiries email conference@localfood.org.uk
Public Sector Sustainable Food Procurement
Conference And Exhibition
Novotel London Euston / Wednesday 26 November 2003
Organised by PMG on behalf of Defra
http://www.sustainablefoodprocurement.org/index.php
E-conference:
"Optimising agricultural land
use in the city area:
Access to land and water, adequate norms and regulations, integration
in
land use planning"
3-22 November 2003
www.ruaf.org/conference
Trace element loss
from our food.
The elements of health and disease in the soil.
Thursday November 20, at
The Medical Society of London, 11 Chandos Street, W1.
www.nutritionhealth.org
Apple
Day, 21 October
The annual celebration of apples, orchards, and local distinctiveness.
In 2003 Common Ground are again inviting organisers of Apple Day
to enter the Longest of the Longest Peel competition. The results
of local events are entered into the national championship and
this year’s winners will be announced at the end of October.
JOBS / TENDERS
Oxfordshire Food Group Project Manager
Seeking a good communicator, with project management,
marketing or
promotional skills and food retailing knowledge or experience.
Familiarity with the local food sector in Oxfordshire/Thames Valley
an
advantage. Initially 12 month contract, renewable for a further
two
years. Full time salary between £24,097 and £25,560.
Closing date 28
November 2003. Interviews in Oxford on 17 December 2003.
For an informal discussion, contact Susie Ohlenschlager, tel:
01865
810148. To request an application pack, see: www.brookes.ac.uk/vacancy
or tel: 01865 484537 (voicemail) quoting reference 098/14546/BC.
Expression of Interest - Calderdale &
Kirklees Food Futures
Calderdale & Kirklees Food Futures
Partnership welcomes Expressions of
Interest for an evaluation of the current phase (2000 - 2004)
of the Food
Futures local food project. It is envisaged that work will take
place over
10 -15 days during Autumn 2003, with a final report to be submitted
during
January 2004.
Deadline for Expressions of Interest: Friday 21st November.
Further details of the evaluation task to be undertaken will be
sent out
with the formal 'invitation to tender, which will be sent to short
listed
consultants.
Further information about the project and proposed evaluation
task can be
found at http://www.foodfutures.org.uk/
2 Sustainability posts at Devon CC
* Sustainable Farming and Food Co-ordinator
Seeking a dynamic, creative individual with proven project management
experience in the farming and food sector to join our award winning
team.
Closing Date: Wednesday 15th October 2003
* Sustainable Prosperity Project Worker
Seeking a creative, delivery focused individual with a good solutions
based background in sustainable development, together with project
development,management and funding experience.
This is initially a temporary post to March 2005, but with good
prospects for a longer term appointment.
Closing date: Wednesday 15th October
Application forms from 01392 383034 or
firststop@devon.gov.uk
Ian Hutchcroft
T 01392 382245
E ihutchcr@devon.gov.uk
Adverts cost £100 (circulation over 1000).
Please send copy to:mail@locafood.org.uk
