The sector champion scheme 2009/10 asks growers to explore issues facing the industry and report back with their conclusions after a year.

The Local to London champion will develop a supply of farm produce into London and share their experiences with interested parties. 

The Hoticultural Workforce Champion will research and develop best practice in recruitment and management of their workforce, with an emphasis on increased employment of those seeking work locally.

Independent chairman of Defra's SE Region's Sustainable Farming & Food Board Shaun Leavey said: "The money is to reimburse them for the time they take away from their businesses. The criteria are intentionally left open so people can explore the issues as they see fit. The Local to London champion may wish to establish relationships with farm shops on the edges of London to try and get people to come out for their produce. They may look at partnerships with restaurants and delicatessens or they may wish to look at the wholesale market."

Applicants need to note the priorities identified in the London Food Strategy and seek to reflect them in the project. 

The horticulture workforce champion will target the issue of a declining migrant workforce and a growing number of job seekers.

Leavey said: "This is specifically about providing local jobs. There are issues with the unemployed which may need an entirely new approach to management. Businesses managed to adapt to having Eastern European workforces so we hope they can find ways around the problems associated with getting job seekers back to work."

The sector champions have come as a direct response to the fact that horticultural acreage has experienced a dramatic decline in the region.

Between 1990 and 2006 the region's land area under horticultural production reduced by 34%.

This was a significantly greater decline than occurred nationally and coincides with a period when the importance of fresh fruit and vegetable production was increasingly a major national issue.

Previous sector champions in horticulture include Bill Godfrey (Hardy Ornamental Nursery Stock), Ian Mitchell (Top fruit into London Wholesale Markets) and William Wolmer (climate change mitigation in the top fruit sector).

For further details or to apply contact Shaun Leavey at battlegreen@waitrose.com.

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