Moussa Amine Sylla from Haringey Community Food Network invites residents to get involved in the community-driven response to local food poverty

Haringey Community Food Network organiser Moussa Amine Sylla (credit Luchia Robinson)

Haringey Community Food Network (HCFN) was born out of a crisis.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, many families and individuals in Haringey found themselves facing severe food insecurity, unable to access healthy, affordable meals. In response, local food growers, suppliers, community kitchens, and food banks joined forces, creating HCFN to ensure that food was distributed fairly and no one was left behind.

As someone involved from the early days, I’ve seen how HCFN has evolved into more than just a crisis response network. Today, we are a formal organisation with a clear mission: to tackle food inequality, promote sustainable food systems, and address the root causes of
poverty and hunger.

While we continue to provide much-needed food support, we are also focused on building long-term solutions to the issue of food insecurity.

Our network includes organisations like Edible London, which grows and distributes fresh produce, and Bounds Green Foodbank, supporting families with groceries, household essentials and social advice.

We also work with Community Cook Up, which provides a warm and welcome space for homeless people and runs cooking sessions to teach residents how to prepare affordable, nutritious meals, or OK Foundation based in Broadwater Farm, which ensures food is distributed where it’s needed most. These collaborations are key to our holistic approach to food security.

With the rise of cost-of-living crisis our work has only grown in scope. Unfortunately, HCFN now relies heavily on donations and partnerships, following the withdrawal of funding from Haringey Council.

We are calling on local businesses, individuals, and organisations to join our cause—whether by donating, volunteering, or becoming a member.

As part of our efforts to raise awareness and push for broader change, HCFN, will be hosting Haringey Food Summit on Saturday, 23rd November. We will bring together community leaders, food growers, and residents to discuss how we can work together to create a borough where everyone has access to nutritious food and the support they need to thrive.

We see Haringey Food Summit as a key moment to rally the community and push forward on our vision of a food-secure Haringey. It’s not just about food aid—it’s about long-term, systemic change.

Become a HCFN member:
Visit docs.google.com/forms

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, or one-off donation.