The Challenge to Food Security in London

OK, basically, the problem in London is that the majority of our food- as in most Western cities, I imagine- is imported. One of the big supermarkets here warned during the last fuel mini-crisis that within 3 days there would not be enough food in London to feed the population. So, the solution is to grow our own. Orchards, allotments, gardens, window-boxes- it all sounds very hippy-ish, but I've learned that due to the oil used to transport it to the UK, the average basket of fruit has the same carbon footprint as a household of 4 produces in 8 months of cooking. Shocking!

So we need a national and local governmental strategy to get people growing their own. It's not such a huge leap. Until a couple of hundred years ago, it would have been the norm. You can see how government initiatives such as the scheme to get more people cycling, or the scheme to get more people eating 5 portions of fruit and veg a day, have worked and had a big impact. I'm sure we could get quick progress on this one if we tried.

The main article that I learned about this from is here, so please read for more details:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/oct/01/food

A good example of the solution can be found in beautiful, decadent old Havana, Cuba, where I happened to go last year. Ironically, I stayed at the Hotel Nacional drinking mojitos containing locally and organically produced mint. Unbelievably, pretty much the entire city is fed by the citizens, and in a relatively small amount of space. Food for thought, if you'll pardon the pun.

Here's the link to the Cuban solution:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/the-good-life-in-h...

I'm loving how this game is getting me thinking about these things. I can see it's going to have a lasting impact on me. Hope you enjoy the post, and please get back with your own thoughts..

Chris