Community Food Enterprise Limited (CFE) is an award winning social enterprise food business which is rooted in East London and was founded in 2002 by members of the community.

Our Aim

Our aim is to develop a viable and sustainable food business that will provide training, capacity building and employment opportunities for members of the community.

Our Mission

Our mission is to work in partnership with the diverse communities of London, and nationally with those of similar needs, to safeguard and sustain the right of our community in all its diversity to access the right food at an affordable price as a fundamental condition for individual and community health and well-being.

Our Vision and Values

At CFE, we believe that everyone in the community has the right not just to food, but to the right food - access to food is a right, not a privilege. The food and drink we consume should be safe, nutritious, affordable, accessible and culturally acceptable.

Our values, which flow from our vision, are:

• the right to the right food must be balanced by individual and community responsibility, both to our food supply and to our eating habits
• awareness, education and social engagement are the keys to responsible behaviour: enablement and empowerment reduce the risks of exclusion and of dependency.  We are committed to creating a resource that compliments and enables market-based food access solutions. In consequence, we have developed a “community enterprise” business model, which we believe can be taught and replicated outside London
• “reconnection” – knowing and safeguarding where food comes from, how it is produced and the role it plays in our diverse diets and cultures
• Improved dietary understanding and nutritional practices are the foundation stones for achieving better health for all.

Recognition/Achievements

The entrepreneurship, innovation and achievements of CFE, its staff, partners and volunteers are recognised nationwide and by the number of awards they have received. These include:

• 2003 BBC Radio 4’s ‘The Food Programme’ Best Food Campaigner/Educator
• 2004 New Deal for Communities Personal Achievement Award
• 2005 Food & Drinks Federation Community Partnership Awards (Highly Commended)
• 2005 New Statesman Upstart Award (Finalist)
• 2005 Dragon Awards (Finalist)
• 2007 Business in the Community Jubilee Award (Winner)
• 2008 Schwab Foundation UK Social Entrepreneur of the Year (Finalist)