Zero Hunger city

The London Assembly is calling for more help to make the capital a "Zero Hunger" city.

A new report says thousands are still going hungry, despite London being one of the richest cities in the world.

Download and read the full report here

The report says in 2009 the largest chain of food banks ran just six in London; today there are 40 serving food to 34,000 people including many who, despite working, are still not earning enough to cover food and bills.

The report says food banks risk being overwhelmed in the near future as the economic downturn persists and living costs rise.

Recommendations:

• Working with partners to establish sustainable free breakfast clubs in schools

• Lobbying the government to agree eligibility for free healthy school meals for all families in receipt of Universal Credit, with the London Food Board asked to identify models for providing universal healthy free school meals for all children across the capital

• Monitoring risk factors for food poverty, including welfare reform

• Ensuring any response to food poverty helps all groups, including older people

• Food poverty action plans led by Borough Health and Wellbeing Boards and a link worker in all London boroughs

• Schools having a plan to identify and address hunger throughout the school day and to support families in food poverty