Tag Archives: Streetcube

News

Shortlist Nominees for the CWT Food Hero of the Year 2020 award

The Caroline Walker Trust (CWT) is delighted to announce the shortlist for the CWT Awards 2020 Food Hero of the Year.  The award celebrates individuals who work to campaign to improve public health through good food.

“Caroline Walker Trust awards are intended to highlight distinctive and outstanding work in promoting public health by maintaining and advancing standards of food and nutrition.  This year we acknowledge those who are striving to make a difference when times are tough, and there are so many changes to our daily lives” said Kathy Lewis, Interim Chair of the CWT

“The calibre of nominees for the Food Hero of the Year 2020 was extremely high, especially in the face of such unprecedented adversity.  Those shortlisted have shown their passion and resilience by adapting their work to meet the needs of other members in our society.” Kathy Lewis.

The official shortlist of the CWT 2020 Annual Awards showcases the high calibre of individuals working in a variety of settings to provide and improve the quality of our food and the nation’s diet.  The final shortlisted nominees for Food Hero of the Year comprised Ms Suzanne Fletcher (Founding Director of Nutrition Scotland), Ms Andrea Zick (Oxo Tower Restaurant), Pascal Gerrard (Founder, StreetCube) and Haleh Moravej (Founder, MetMUnch)

“This year, the Judging Panels have witnessed some extraordinary efforts to campaign for good quality food over the past year, which includes both before and during Covid-19 lockdowns.  Learning about the lengths individuals have gone to provide good quality food fills us with the hope that we can collectively support each other’s health and wellbeing ” explained Kathy Lewis.

“The aim of these awards is to highlight the great work of others and to support those who are continuing to make a difference while inspiring a new generation of food heroes to do likewise,” said Kathy Lewis, Interim Chair of The Caroline Walker Trust.

CWT would like to congratulate all the shortlisted nominees and everyone who submitted nominations.  CWT would also like to thank the Judges for their hard work in judging the nominees from an impressive range of submissions.

For further information on the awards nominations: https://bit.ly/3jTIf2f

Contact Kathy Lewis [email protected] 07961 317 621

–ends—

Notes to the Editor

  1. For information on the background to the awards and how the result was arrived see: https://www.cwt.org.uk/the-caroline-walker-trust-awards-2020/
  2. The Caroline Walker Trust was founded in 1989 after the death of the distinguished nutritionist, writer and campaigner Caroline Walker. Established to continue her work and in her spirit, the CWT works tirelessly to promote the improvement of public health through good food. The work of CWT is particularly targeted towards vulnerable groups and people who need special help.
  3. This year the theme for the Awards is ‘To Triumph Through Adversity’. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, the Reception and Awards Celebrations will now be held in 2021.
  4. The Caroline Walker Trust Logo:
  5. Suzanne Fletcher, Founding Director, Nutrition Scotland, said “It feels great to be nominated in two categories for the Food Hero of the Year. This year has been difficult for everyone but particularly so for our most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities. Being recognised in this way is a wonderful and welcome gesture of support.”
  6. Nutrition Scotland is a Social Enterprise in development; their aim is to improve health and wellbeing through improved access to a variety of nutritional services and information. Their services are designed and delivered by public health nutritionists and dietitians who believe in equal access to healthy food and reducing health inequalities. http://www.nutritionscotland.org/
  7. Andrea Zick, Oxo Tower Restaurant stated “This year has been very difficult for lots of people including myself, so to keep me grounded during these uncertain times I helped set up the community kitchen projects as a way of giving back to the community and bringing people together, which gave me a purpose during these uncertain times.
  8. OXO Community Kitchen was born out of the passion for reducing food waste, need to fight food poverty and Covid-19. OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar and Brasserie had been supporting StreetSmart for over 20 years.  Add to that a passion for reducing food waste, two professional kitchens not being used and a team of staff on furlough expressing an urge to volunteer and help fight food poverty. Mix them together, and in a flash, the OXO Community Kitchen was born.  With a desire to help, the OXO Tower Restaurant reached out to several great London charities in need of a kitchen.
  9. Continuing their relationship with StreetSmart and now newly partnered with FoodCycle, Streets Kitchen, Feast With Us and Coin Street, the OXO Tower Restaurant have become part of a naturally formed alliance.  The OXO Tower’s furloughed team of 22 from all areas of the restaurant volunteered their time to cook the meals.  Starting small in the first week with 30 meals, OXO Community Kitchen ended week four by preparing over 1,400 meals.
  10. Pascal Gerrard, FRSA, Founder, StreetCube commented “We are incredibly proud and honoured to be nominated for the 2nd year running for The Caroline Walker Trust Food Hero of the Year Award.  It is a tremendous honour to be considered again this year on the shortlist, especially at this time when we enter yet another lockdown.  It is an extremely worrying time for so many, and StreetCube will remain open to provide healthy, nutritious, sustainable food for the community of Wandsworth.”
  11. StreetCube opened in May 2019 in Wandsworth SW London with the help of MasterChef Raymond Blanc. Every day, they serve hundreds of people with sustainable food, and also give out information about climate change and the effects of our food system on the environment. They are supported by a host of world-rebounded trusted advocates – people who are experts in sustainable food, climate change, nutrition, farming, organic food, chef training.
  12. The StreetCube project is a winning concept which aims to help transform food systems in every city to help cut CO2 and help reverse the effects of climate change effects from our food systems. By placing a cluster of StreetCube kitchens, the project can engage whole communities with a more sustainable food ethos.
  13. Haleh Moravej, Senior Lecturer, Nutritional Sciences, Founder, MetMUnch remarked:  “It is such an honour for our motivated and diverse community of MetMUnch students to be shortlisted as Food Hero of The Year 2020.  We would like to congratulate the other shortlisted nominees. We are very proud to be in the same category with such inspirational individuals.”   
  14. Over the past year, MetMUnch has worked with many students building their confidence and employability skills through the medium of healthy and sustainable food. Inspired by the pioneering work of Caroline Walker, we sent up our meat-free GROW Café in collaboration with our Catering Team. We served students and staff affordable, delicious, nutritious and sustainable food. We increased sales by 237%, but the real impact was a genuine change in attitudes and provision of healthy and nutritious food on campus.
  15. We have been supporting our students in lockdown with daily cooklongs, nutritional workshops and multicultural blogs. ‘Food Therapy’ became our way of dealing with uncertainty. There was even a collaborative budget cookbook created by students for students to combat food insecurity at University. Our MetMUnch students are always encouraged to find creative solutions to nutritional challenges, climate change and social problems, whilst developing leadership, collaboration, resilience, commitment, determination and perseverance. metmunch.com
News

StreetCube Steps Up To ‘The Social Distancing Sustainable Organic Market’ Plate

The StreetCube Great Organic Sustainable Market opens to the public on Friday, July 3rd at 10 am and is located on The Piazza, at SouthSide, Wandsworth High Street. SW18 4TQ.

StreetCube is the sustainable Street gastronomy project launched by MasterChef Raymond Blanc in SW London last year and CWT short-listed award finalists.  It is advancing its quest to help change the future of food, nutrition and community empowerment by bringing the first and the biggest outdoor organic, sustainable food market to London.

On the familiar site where the project was first launched, at The Piazza, at SouthSide, Wandsworth High Street, the Streetcube team have had support and approval by their forward-thinking landlords LandSec to invite some of the Nations most ethical farmers and organic food producers to join them.

“We want to show London that in order to preserve and sustain the health of people and planet, we must fundamentally change our food systems from a global, broken industrial one, to a more organic, more local and more seasonal food system,” explains Pascal Gerrard, Founder of Streetcube.  “Our supermarkets and City Centre eateries have been largely reliant on a chemical farming system, plastic-wrapped food and junk food chains that import unsustainable ingredients from around the globe, none of which are paying any attention to good health or to the environment.”

“It’s time for a change!” exclaims Pascal.  “We need to move to a more regenerative, nutritious, sustainable food system with chefs and farmers guiding the way to using more local, seasonal, organic produce” explains Pascal.  “Our soil is one of the most critically important elements in the overall health of us all and it is by far one of the biggest carbon sinks we have.  Whatsmore, our farmers need help and support to grow better, more nutritious food and to work with our chefs to help reduce our impact on the planet”

The StreetCube project has received much positive attention and wide acclaim since its launch a year ago, including nominations for innovation and being short-listed for the ‘Food Hero of the Year’ award from The Caroline Walker Trust.

“We continue to refer to the advocates for support and expert advice and guidance. We get a lot of fact-based science data from our world-renowned experts for climate change, sustainability and nutrition, we publish it all on our website.”

“I don’t profess to know everything there is to know about sustainability, in fact, most of us are still getting to grips with it, but given that the Covid-19 pandemic could potentially be a result of our poor hygiene standards, lack of consideration for nature, and the rising risks of zoonotic diseases, we absolutely must radically change our food systems,” suggests Pascal

“The Great Sustainable Organic Market is being billed as London’s most significant in terms of its carbon negative impact and its focus on planetary and public health and we are inviting the UK’s finest organic growers, from across the entire U.K. – farmers, producers and even local volunteers.  We want StreetCube to play a significant part in leading the way towards sustainable food – many local communities need to help drive community food growing and to form partnerships with land-owners to grow more food so that our chefs can translate the local nutrition into delicious sustainable Street Gastronomy – but our farmers and our organic growers play a very important part in the overall system. Without good, healthy soil, we just can’t nourish our children.”

“Research shows that more than 35% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from our industrial global food system, with deforestation due to beef production being the worst culprits. Transporting out of season food thousands of miles around the globe is also very heavy on CO2 and lower rates of nutrition as often food is picked before its ripe, and then it is force-ripened using chemicals and gas. The result is of much poorer quality food.”

Streetcube in Wandsworth

The new outdoor market will feature farmers bringing organic, seasonal produce grown from within 100 miles of the StreetCube installation, which do not use plastic wrapping, and which contain higher nutrients due to less storage, with no risk to ingesting the cocktail of chemicals found on most fruit and veg. “Traditionally, we produce and consume less than 2% organic food in the U.K., and studies show that most of the food we import is coated with at least a dozen different chemicals. Whilst individual chemicals like Glyphosate are banned across Europe, the U.K. still allows the use of it. Manufacturers of these insect-killing chemicals are tested individually and deemed ‘safe’ for humans, but many law-suits in the US have swayed on the sides of farmers who have contracted cancer and other related illnesses.” states Pascal.

“We also need to be very aware of the kinds of ‘deals’ our government are negotiating with US produce. The United States has much lower food standards than we do here in the U.K. we must all be very aware of what our government are trying to push through Parliament without us realising. Chlorinated chicken, hormone-injected beef, genetically modified organisms are all part of an extremely detrimental industrial food system, and we all need to be very aware of what is around the corner in terms of climate change”, warns Pascal.

‘We are over-subscribed at the Wandsworth Sustainable Organic Market, a combination of pent-up demand and people longing to have access to better quality food, but we need more organic growers from the local area to apply and join us as we will soon be opening every day” states Pascal

StreetCube is all about giving everyone access to a more sustainable source of nutritious food, that everyone can afford – whilst caring for the health of people and planet. As we say at StreetCube;

“Good Food Doesn’t Have To Cost The Earth.”

The StreetCube Great Organic Sustainable Market opens to the public on Friday, July 3rd at 10 am,

and is located on The Piazza, at SouthSide, Wandsworth High Street. SW18 4TQ

News

CWT announced shortlist for Food Hero of the Year Award

The Caroline Walker Trust (CWT) is delighted to announce the shortlist for CWT Awards 2019 Food Hero of the Year.  The award celebrates individuals who work to campaign to improve public health through good food.

The awards ceremony will be held on 12 November 2019 at the RSM Chandos House.  Professor Tim Lang, President of the CWT, will be presenting the award to the winner of each category.  Traditionally the Caroline Walker Trust has offered several awards.  This year, the Trust has introduced the award for Food Hero of the Year.

“Caroline Walker Trust awards are intended to highlight distinctive and outstanding work in promoting public health by maintaining and advancing standards of food and nutrition.  Traditionally the Caroline Walker only offered four awards; however, over the years, these have changed to reflect the dynamic environment in which the Trust operates,” remarked Anka Johnston, Chair of the CWT.

“This year, the Trust has offered six awards, which also includes a Lifetime Achievement award, Charity Food Campaigner of the Year, Media Food Campaigner of the Year, Nutritionist of the Year and Freelance Nutritionist of the Year.”

The official shortlist of the CWT 30th Anniversary Awards showcases the high calibre of individuals working in a variety of areas to improve the quality of our food and the nation’s diet.  The final shortlisted nominees for Food Hero of the Year comprised of Jason O’Rourke (Washingborough Academy), Suzanne Fletcher (Nutrition Scotland), Pascal Gerrard and Olivier Blanc (StreetCube), Lyndsey Withers (Plymouth Soup Run), and Stephen Colyer (The Fruit and Veg Kids).

“The aim is to highlight the great work of individuals, to support those who are continuing to make a difference while inspiring a new generation of food campaigners to do likewise,” said Anka Johnston, Chair of the CWT.

 “We’re delighted to be shortlisted for the CWT ‘Food Hero’ Award.  Food poverty and poor diet have serious long-term physical and psychological consequences for some families. By connecting evidence-based nutritional practice directly with those most in need, we can provide reliable, practical support that goes well beyond dietary guidelines” commented Suzanne Fletcher, RNutr and Founder of Nutrition Scotland.

 “If anyone deserves recognition for the (very often hidden) food, nutrition and health volunteering they tirelessly do to support vulnerable individuals, then it is Lyndsey – I am thrilled to see her being shortlisted for this award. Her efforts go beyond the call of duty, and she is an extraordinary human being who gives” states Dr Clare Pettinger, Lecturer Public Health Dietetics, University of Plymouth.

“Good food doesn’t have to cost the earth. StreetCube was opened by MasterChef Raymond Blanc and developed by sustainable chef Pascal Gerrard and Olivier Blanc to be 100% sustainable from the ground up; by up-cycling 10ft shipping containers converting them into professional, sustainable, semi-permanent, zero-emissions Street kitchens – where independent chefs can operate their own start-up sustainable food business,” commented Pascal Gerrard, Founder, StreetCube.

I feel very honoured to be nominated for CWT Award in the category “Food Hero”. It is great recognition of all the incredible work that goes on at Washingborough Academy to support Food Education, and also at an international level with the sensory food education carried out by the TastEd charity’ remarked Jason O’Rourke, Headteacher, Washingborough Academy.

“The Fruit and Veg Kids” have been created to greatly assist in addressing the ever-spiralling global Childhood Obesity epidemic via ‘Education through Entertainment – with Laughter not Lecture’. Our Campaign includes Songs, Music, Books, Animation, Stage Shows and Personal appearances to ensure maximum promotional opportunities that convey vital messages on Health”, commented Stephen Colyer, Founder of The Fruit and Veg Kids

CWT would like to congratulate all the shortlisted nominees and everyone who submitted nominations.  CWT would also like to thank the Judges for their hard work in drawing up the shortlist from a very impressive list of nominations.

–ends—

Notes to the Editor

  1. For information on the background to the awards and how the result was arrived see: https://www.cwt.org.uk/cwt-announce-awards-short-list/
  1. The Caroline Walker Trust was founded in 1989 after the death of the distinguished nutritionist, writer and campaigner Caroline Walker. Established to continue her work and in her spirit, the CWT works tirelessly to promote the improvement of public health through good food. The work of CWT is particularly targeted towards vulnerable groups and people who need special help.
  1. This year is the 30th anniversary of the Trust and the theme for the evening is Affordable food: Affordable health. The speakers included Felicity Lawrence, Guardian Journalist; Peter Stefanovic, Social Injustice Campaigner and distinguished Lawyer; and Dan Crossley, Executive Director at the Food Ethics Council.
  1. The Caroline Walker Trust Logo:
  1. Nutrition Scotland is a Social Enterprise in development, their aim is to improve health and wellbeing through improved access to a variety of nutritional services and information. Their services are designed and delivered by public health nutritionists and dietitians who believe in equal access to healthy food and reducing health inequalities. http://www.nutritionscotland.org/
  1. Jason O’Rourke is the Headteacher at Washingborough Academy, Lincolnshire and the Founder of TastEd. Jason’s work with Washingborough Academy featured extensively in the Government’s 2016 Childhood Obesity Strategy and Plan for Action as best practice in food education and changing food cultures.  Jason’s school has also become the first in the country to receive the Gold Award from the Soil Association’s ‘Food for Life Served Here’ programme.  The School won the School Food Plan Award 2016.  It also was a finalist in the Times Education Supplement Healthy School of the Year award in 2016 and 2017. Jason is also the winner of the Educatering School food Plan Awards in 2016 and was invited to be a Headteacher advisor to the Government Department of Health and Social Care. washingboroughacademy.org and www.tasteeducation.com 
  1. The Fruit and Veg Kids have been created to initially capture the imagination of children through entertainment, to then progressively engage them into the pattern of a healthy lifestyle with regular healthy eating and physical activities through the inspiration of these entertaining and colourful characters in a very simplistic approach. thefruitandvegkids.com @FruitAndVegKids
  2. Lyndsey Withers is a volunteer at the Plymouth Soup Run, the Shekinah homeless drop-in centre and drives homeless clients to the Plymouth Dental school and University Hospitals. She is also the past winner of the Salvation Army award for exceptional contributions to homeless services in 2015.  Her work is invaluable and makes a real difference to the lives of service users at Plymouth Soup Run, which connects with people who are impacted by food poverty and poverty of healthy social connections, information and access to services.
  1. StreetCube opened in May 2019 in Wandsworth SW London with the help of MasterChef Raymond Blanc. Every day, they serve hundreds of people with sustainable food, and also give out information about climate change and the effects of our food system on the environment. They are supported by a host of world-rebounded trusted advocates – people who are experts in sustainable food, climate change, nutrition, farming, organic food, chef training.
  1. The StreetCube project is a winning concept which aims to help transform food systems in every city to help cut CO2 and help reverse the effects of climate change effects from our food systems. By placing a cluster of StreetCube kitchens, the project can engage whole communities with more sustainable food ethos.
  1. Currently, our global, industrial food systems contribute more than 35% of all greenhouse gas emissions. The biggest driver of climate change is deforestation, the biggest driver of deforestation is the beef/burger industry. By empowering young chefs to take up a position as sustainable food champions, and by giving them a bright and beautiful sustainable Street kitchen from which to perform, we believe we really can change the world. One bite at a time.
  1. Zero emissions, zero-carbon professional, sustainable Street kitchens that allow passionate chefs to engage people with a more ‘sustainable’ form of Street food – has the potential to seriously change entire food systems. Engaging everyone with food that is better for people and the planet. Organic, local, nutritious, seasonal food which is cooked with passion and pride. StreetCube makes it all possible by providing professional semi-permanent Street kitchens that are affordable for young chefs to operate – whilst adhering to a set of principles that ultimately are more sustainable and beneficial for people and planet.