February 15, 2008

A day-long meeting in London, January 21, 2008 marked the launch of Mensa Civica, the European Alliance for Sustainable Public Food Systems. The meeting was hosted by AlimenTerra with support from the Charles Leopold Mayer Foundation.

The attached action plan that resulted includes plans and timelines for establishing a common charter, a clear statement of objectives, membership criteria and fees, developing a website and newsletter, project areas and working groups.

The next meeting is planed for May/June, 2008

The common charter will focus on three key areas

• climate change and energy use
• individual and societal health and ‘food rights’ , (in particular relating to children)
• biodiversity and the diversity of food culture

The project areas being discussed are

• Creating a DVD or television programme
• Working with the private sector
• Creating a school meals event with the public sector
• Pulling together models and guides for the policy and practice of the localization of the public food system
• Doing trainings for school administrators, educators, students and cooks and
• Establishing Mensa Civica as an expert group on sustainable public food systems