In February 2023, Lewisham Local in partnership with Public Health Lewisham launched the Community Food Justice Grants Programme.
An overview of the programme
The fund was aimed at voluntary, community and faith organisations based in Lewisham that were delivering projects that tackle food insecurity and are experiencing increased demand and/or reduced capacity due to the cost-of-living crisis.
The food justice community grants programme ran from April 2023-March 2025. The total amount of funding awarded was £135,009.
This final impact report builds on the end of project monitoring report written in May 2024 and includes impact monitoring and learning from the additional two extension programmes alongside the original impact reporting.
Aims and Objectives
The Community Food Justice Grants programme (or “the fund”) was intended to provide resources to address the multiple challenges facing food giving projects in Lewisham such as increasing demand from residents experiencing food insecurity, decreasing donations, and increasing food prices.
The fund was also intended to support the aims and vision of Lewisham’s Food Justice Action Plan.
Key figures
The funding was distributed to 19 projects who supported over 20,000 people during the programme’s lifespan.
- 1 project was funded to deliver cookery classes
- 5 projects provided meals
- 2 projects incorporated cash-first offers
- 12 projects purchased culturally appropriate food with the funding
- 12 project provided fresh food with the funding
- 13 projects purchased ambient food with the funding
- 1 project provided cooking appliances with the funding
Key findings
- A greater understanding of the needs, identities and preferences of those accessing the service
- Greater variety and quality of food provided
- Improved referral pathways to support
- Fostering increase dignity and inclusion of those accessing the service
- Improved and diversified procurement
- Boosting project capacity and team morale
The impact on funded projects
Projects reported that the funding had a significant impact in the following areas:
- Improved health and wellbeing of those accessing services
- Alleviating poverty
- Increased sense of place in the community
- Supporting the organisation to become resourceful and resilient
To read the full report including findings, learning, key recommendations and next steps, click this link.
