As the capital prepares to host the 2012 Games this summer, Londoners are being invited to get their hands on an Olympic-inspired cash giveaway by growing their own food.

The Capital Growth scheme, which aims to create 2,012 gorwing spaces in London by the end of 2012, is launching its biggest food-growing competition ever, Grow for Gold. If you get into the starting blocks now, with support and advice from the Capital Growth gardening experts, you can grow yourself a healthy salad by the time the world’s elite athletes begin their battle for medals.

The farming, food, and drink sector is an important part of our economy, responsible for over 3.5 million jobs and 7% of Gross Value Added. It has a key role in driving strong and sustainable growth, particularly through exploiting overseas markets. International trade is also important in terms of improving productive efficiency and enhancing global food security.

Exports in the agri-food sector have been growing steadily, with 2010 seeing the sixth consecutive year of growth in value to £16 billion.

Demand for sustainably sourced coffee, tea and cocoa continues to grow

UTZ CERTIFIED enjoys a sales boost in its third quarter sales. Compared to January - September 2010, certified sustainable coffee sales rose 23% in the same period this year, leading to a sale volume of 105,757 metric tons of coffee certified by UTZ in total. Tea sales also increased significantly by almost 74% for a total of 2,416 metric tons and sales of currently registered UTZ CERTIFIED cocoa have risen to 29,719 metric tons -- an impressive increase of 149% compared to the same period last year.

With the summer weather finally here keep hydrated, save money and reduce waste with the reusable lifebottle and tapwater.org’s network of free refilling stations.

With 51 million plastic bottles thrown away every day in the UK alone, now is the time to ditch those bottles and get back to the tap. The tapwater.org scheme makes tap water more accessible on the high street.