City Hall conference tackles growing food issues

As part of this year’s London Festival of Architecture which kicks off in June, City Hall is hosting a conference – Growing Food for London – where international experts on urban agriculture will be discussing their work along with presentations on other topics such as edible roof gardens and use of the Green belt.

The event, jointly organised with the London Parks and Green Spaces Forum, will see over 500 events and activities focusing on the theme 'fresh'. The festival will also feature a range of food-related projects including 'Continuous Picnic' – supported by London Food Link, and an installation by What If? That fills derelict spaces in Eat London council estates with vegetable grow bags.

Ben Reynolds, from organisers London Food Link, believes the timing of the event is crucial: "Set against rising food prices and increasing pressures to tackle climate change, London seriously needs to consider putting aside more space for growing food."

Reynolds goes on to explain the benefits of this festival: "Not only will this help future-proof against food shortages and preserve the capital's open space, but it will also educate and improve the health of Londoners and reduce the distance that London's food has travelled."

Peter Murray, director of the London Festival of Agriculture, commented: "We are delighted that…planners and architects are realising that food can be an exciting part of urban design. The City Hall event will provide a lynchpin to the Festival's food activities, showing a real way forward for growing in London."

Words: Maria Bracken

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