Over the last five years, communities in Tower Hamlets have come together through the Just FACT programme to build an alternative food system that is environmentally sustainable, socially just and community led.
Just FACT (Just Food and Climate Transition) is a partnership programme co-coordinated by Wen (Women’s Environmental Network) and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund’s Climate Action Fund.
The programme delivered 26 projects and supported community-led research and action to explore what a fairer food system could look like in an inner-city borough facing deep inequality and growing climate impacts.
What projects achieved through Just FACT
Through a network of Food Co-ops, projects growing culturally appropriate staple foods, and pilots reducing financial barriers to organic produce, communities increased access to healthy, sustainably produced, affordable food. Twenty-six grassroots organisations reached more than 20,000 people by meeting communities where they gather, building trust and ensuring inclusive participation.
Just FACT built knowledge, skills and employability through 1,292 workshops, practical training and formal accreditation. Volunteer energy was transformed into paid roles. A strong local movement developed through quarterly partner meetings, shared learning and active resourcing of grassroots action. Sixty groups and individuals joined the Just FACT network, alongside 280 members of the Tower Hamlets Food Partnership.
Projects also trialled ways to reduce the climate impact of the food system, including local food production, composting and food redistribution. The Plastic Free Markets project alone cut 364,000 plastic bags a year.
Crucially, the programme shifted power locally, enabling communities to co-design projects, establish self-governing structures and decide where funding should go. Wellbeing, health and reduced isolation were central to this work.
The learning is already shaping change
Tower Hamlets Council’s five-year Transforming Food Systems strategy was developed in response to Just FACT and continues to be shaped by community input.
Read the Just FACT final report.
