Despite London being one of the richest cities in the world, thousands of people in the capital – including school children and older people – are going hungry. Our Health and Environment Committee report warns the problem is set to escalate over the coming months and sets out its recommendations.

1. MARCH 2013
Zero Hunger City
Tackling food poverty in London

2. 1 The London Assembly’s Health and Environment Committee has
been investigating the issue of food poverty in London.
We met with a wide range of organisations, including
London boroughs and food aid charities. We also
visited a school breakfast club, a food bank, charity
Kids Company and a food aid project in Bristol.

3. 2 Thousands of Londoners are at risk of food poverty – children,
working age adults and older people.
Evidence gathered during our investigation showed that
low income, welfare reform, rising prices and food
deserts all play a part in driving food poverty. Food
poverty is likely to increase in London.

4. 3 There is a powerful response to hunger in our communities but
there is a lack of strategic oversight and coordination across
London.
Our report says that the London Food Board should
take on strategic responsibility for addressing food
poverty in London – aiming for a Zero Hunger City.

5. 4 The Mayor should play a key role in London becoming a
Zero Hunger City.
We recommend that the Mayor take an active role in
supporting healthy school meals by calling on the
Government to expand access to free school meals and
provide funding for free meals for all children.

6. 5 Our investigation looked at how some London boroughs are
responding to food poverty in their areas.
We recommend that Health and Wellbeing Boards in all
London boroughs lead a food poverty action plan and
designate a food poverty link worker.

7. 6 The scale of hunger among school children is of serious concern.
Our survey of London teachers found that more than 95% of
teachers reported children in their class arriving at school hungry.
We recommend that all schools identify and address
hunger throughout the school day and support families
who experience food poverty.

8. 7 Food banks and other forms of emergency food aid provision play a
part in meeting immediate needs but the underlying causes of food
poverty should be addressed.
We recommend that emergency food aid organisations
identify ways to systematically make sure people have
access to the advice and support to which they are entitled.

9. To read the report & find out
more about the investigation,
please visit:
www.london.gov.uk/zero-hunger
Click on report to visit investigation
page

10. To read the report & find out
more about the investigation,
please visit:
www.london.gov.uk/zero-hunger
Click on report to visit investigation
page