The Social Life of Food visits a number of grassroots initiatives that are involved in a range of areas of food production and distribution in London:
Sutton Community Farm works along agroecological principles, which include respect for the land and all its inhabitants, and concern for the social ecologies that the farm works within. The farm is operated as a community benefit society, funded by community shareholders who collectively own the farm.
Leytonstone Community Fridge distributes surplus food that would otherwise go to landfill to anyone who visits the fridge during its opening hours. The fridge is part of a countrywide network of similar initiatives, working to reduce food waste and filling a need coming from growing levels of food poverty.
The Gleaners is vegan, pay-what-you-can cafe and restaurant in Walthamstow that is run as a cooperative. Situated in the social ecology of The Hornbeam, a cooperatively run community hub, The Gleaners cook fresh meals from surplus food and are motivated by principles of mutual aid, care, intersectionality and economic justice.