London Mayor Boris Johnson’s chief food adviser Rosie Boycott worked a night shift at New Covent Garden Market last week to gain an insight into the trade.
Boycott mucked in as she toured the market last Thursday shadowing wholesale and foodservice businesses, talking to traders and liaising with key figures on the market.
It is hoped the visit will help Boycott give feedback to policy-makers and help with the Local Food Infrastructure Project, managed by Mark Ainsbury of the Greater London Authority.
The important links from wholesale to street markets and independent food retail that supports food access across the capital was emphasised on the tour.
Boycott was also given an insight into the added value given by catering distributors through reduction in road miles; supplying just the amount needed and reducing waste through semi-prepped vegetables and recycling.
Zeenat Anjari, business development manager at NCGM, told freshinfo: “Rosie was amazing, with unflagging curiosity about where produce comes from, how it is bought and the consequences of weather on availability and price. She loved getting her hands into the produce and was amazed by the quality and range on display.
“She watched as orders were picked for London's kitchens, each vegetable skillfully hand-trimmed to maximise chef's yield and presentation.
“Rosie was really interested to learn first-hand how lack of support for greengrocers and street markets has affected wholesalers and is keen for the Mayor's London Food Board to address this.”
The tour comes just weeks after Boycott chaired a conference hosted by the Association of London Markets and pledged to put further governing influence behind the markets sector.
