Lambeth GP Food Co-op celebrates 10-year anniversary
04 April 2023 - The community-led initiative at King's helps reduce social isolation by bringing people together
Last week (Thursday 30 March) the Lambeth GP Food Co-op celebrated its 10-year anniversary, and seventh at Jennie Lee House at King’s College Hospital.
The Lambeth GP Food Co-op, which owns a vegetable garden at King’s, was set up in 2013 by local NHS doctors and nurses, and received funding from Lambeth Council and South East London CCG.
The garden at Jennie Lee House, which opened in 2016, is designed to support local patients with long-term health conditions, by teaching them how to grow food and, by doing so, improve their health and wellbeing.
Speaking about the anniversary, Ed Rosen (pictured), Director of the Lambeth Food Co-op, said: “We’re proud to have been based at King’s College Hospital for seven years.
“Throughout our time at Jennie Lee House we have provided access to green spaces for patients and staff, as well as contributing to the Trust’s Green Plan and supporting healthier communities.
“We look forward to more successful years at King’s.”
Lorcan Woods, Chief Financial Officer at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, added: “The Lambeth Food Co-op plays an important role in supporting the health and wellbeing of local people with long-term conditions across Lambeth.
“The Co-op have been supporters of our Green Plan since its launch in 2021 and have been sharing invaluable knowledge on sustainable practices with the community for many years before.
“Their commitment to making a positive difference to the people of Lambeth and to making a more sustainable NHS is great, and we are delighted to be able to share this important milestone with them.”
The team celebrated their anniversary at a community centre in Brixton, and were treated to a musical feast by the Brixton Chamber Orchestra.
As part of the celebrations, the Co-op announced that their monthly vegetable stall in the Golden Jubilee Wing at King’s College Hospital, supported by Medirest, will be restarting in April 2023.
More information about the Lambeth GP Food Co-op can be found on their website.