Item 4
26th April 2019
Xxxx 2018
Glasgow City Council
North East Area Partnership
Date: 26th April 2019
Report by Stevie Scott, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability
Contact: Stevie Scott Ext: 0141- 278 - 8292
Glasgow Food Growing Strategy
Purpose of Report:
To provide members with: 1. feedback from the North East and Springburn/Robroyston wards stakeholder engagement event held in relation to development of a Food Growing Strategy for Glasgow and 2. advise of next stages.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that Area Partnership note this report and considers further opportunities for food growing in the North East Area Partnership area.
1. Introduction
1.1 A report was brought to the Environment, Sustainability and Carbon Reduction City Policy Committee on 12th June, 2018, advising of:
Progress on Glasgow’s Allotment Strategy and its links with the statutory duty, under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 to undertake a Food Growing Strategy (FGS) for the city The details of what a FGS for Glasgow should contain The FGS linkages to broader City strategic objectives Previous stakeholder engagement events undertaken in relation to the FGS and plans for future events
1.2 The report summarised the key actions that would be taken forward in the immediate two years as:
holding a series of community consultations focussing on specific area partnerships to ascertain existing and potential growing sites; aligning the sites identified to the Glasgow Open Space Strategy process; developing an online or publicly accessible map outlining potential growing sites; carrying out an Equality Impact Assessment; developing options and funding bids in support of any actions recommended to increase the provision by Glasgow City Council of allotments, or other areas of land for use by a community for the cultivation of vegetables, fruit, herbs or flowers within the life of the Strategy; and signpost communities to resources which may support them in bringing forward their own food growing proposals.
2.0 The Barmulloch Community Centre and Library Engagement Event
2.1 To deliver on the first action noted in 1.2 above, an engagement event was held at The Barmulloch Community Centre and Library on 14/03/19. It was facilitated by Greenspace Scotland supported by Neighbourhoods and Sustainability (NS) Parks Development. The engagement process consisted of the following actions:
Outlining the background to the development of a FGS, its relationship to the Open Space Strategy, and the various types of growing that would be considered; Asking attendees to identify existing growing sites within the area; Asking attendees to identify potential growing sites in the area; and Asking attendees for their views on growing opportunities within the area.
2.2 In addition, following the event, potential sites were assessed for suitability for growing by using an assessment matrix developed by Greenspace Scotland. This matrix considered issues such as current ownership, environmental designations, other potential uses for the site, ground conditions, shading and
plot size. It should be noted that, at this stage, no discussions with landowners have taken place.
2.3 All sites, nominated by the public, are listed in Annex 1 including existing sites and those assessed as being potentially suitable for community food growing.
2.4 In addition, Greenspace Scotland also provided a summary report of the event outlining attendee numbers and topics of interest. The report is attached in Annex 2.
3.0 The Next Steps
3.1 Development and Regeneration Services will be advised of the proposed sites and their suitability for food growing will be assessed through the ongoing process of Local Context Analysis (being developed as part of the Glasgow Open Space Strategy), which will examine opportunities for food growing alongside: the other functions that the City’s open space need to provide (e.g. space for sport, recreation, play or nature conservation) and other demands on land (e.g. land for housing).
3.2 Further work will be undertaken, throughout the life of the Food Growing Strategy, to support local groups who may wish to bring forward specific proposals for any of the identified sites, subject to local agreement, and any statutory approvals.
3.3 To support the above, the planning process will be used to: inform the level of developer contributions to be taken for the provision of new allotments/ growing spaces; protect, as open space, sites agreed as being suitable and available for growing; and ensure that opportunities for informal food growing are incorporated into new residential developments, over 50 units in size.
3.4 Finally, the feedback from the events will contribute to the development of a draft Food Growing Strategy that will be available in the autumn of 2019.
4.0 Policy and Resource Implications
Resource Implications:
Financial: None at this stage
Legal: Statutory Duty to deliver under the Community Empowerment Act (Scotland) 2015: Section 9.
Personnel: None
Procurement: None at this stage
Council Strategic Plan: The Strategic Plan sets out a vision for Glasgow . becoming the most sustainable city in Europe, and a resilient city. The implementation of a Food Growing Strategy will contribute to this.
Equality Impacts:
EQIA carried out: a screening will be carried out on the draft Food Growing Strategy once developed
Outcome: -
Sustainability Impacts:
Environmental: The implementation of the Food Growing Strategy will have a positive effect on the environment.
Social: Social benefits around identifying opportunities for communities to work collectively on developing and maintaining community growing spaces
Economic: The FGS will contribute to the Circular Economy
Recommendations
It is recommended that committee note this report and considers further opportunities for food growing within the North East Area Partnership Area.
Annex 1
Food Growing Strategy – The Barmulloch Community Centre and Library Consultation Event,
Sites Nominated By The Public
GCC Sites Suitable for Growing Broomfield Park (Ward 17) Stanburn Rd verge (at Aldi) (Ward 17) Springburn Rd at Millarbank St (Ward 17)
GCC Sites Not Suitable for Growing Robroyston “loads of land” (Ward 17) Eastfield Park (Ward 17) Cardowan Moss (Ward 21)
Non GCC Sites Balornock Rd at Cairn Bar (Ward 17) Stobhill Hospital Grounds (Ward 17) Red Rd (former centre grounds) (Ward 17) Former Janitor’s House area (Ward 21) Porchester St (Ward 21) Former site of St Benedicts school (Ward 21)
Existing Sites (noted at event) Bellrock St (Ward 18) Tollcross Allotments (Ward 19) Springburn Park at former depot (Ward 17)
Nominated sites - other wards Orchard Park at Clydeside Walkaway (Ward 19) Old Riddrie Allotments (Ward 18) Grampian Place (Ward 19) Almond St (Ward 18) Former Deaf School site (Ward 16) Front of Rosemount Business Park, (Ward 22) Broomfield Rd at Royston Rd (Ward 22)
Annex 2
Note of the Workshop Glasgow Food Growing Strategy Workshop Springburn/Robroyston + North East wards 6-8pm, 14 March 2019, Barmulloch Community Centre and Library, Glasgow
1. Introduction Greenspace Scotland, on behalf of Glasgow City Council, hosted an informal workshop to inform the development of their local food growing strategy. It was the third in a series of eight workshops taking place in 2019. Previous consultations had already been held in 2017 covering Southside Central/Pollokshields and Partick East/Victoria Park.
The workshop was facilitated by greenspace scotland. Glasgow City Council wanted to engage with as many groups and individuals, from the area, interested in community food growing as possible - to shape its Food Growing Strategy, create a vision for the future and identify how the Council, organisations and individuals can work together towards this.
This report details the full responses from everyone that took part in the North East + Springburn/Robroyston wards workshop and is intended as an accurate record for participants and Glasgow City Council. A final combined report will be created that takes account of the outcomes from all eight workshops.
Attendance People could sign up to the event using Eventbrite and were initially invited to do so by emails from greenspace scotland and communications by Glasgow City Council. Social media was used to promote the workshops and a press release was issued by Glasgow City Council. The invitation was open and anyone could attend. 38 spaces out of a possible 50 were booked in advance (55% no shows).
17 people attended the event representing - 3 community groups, 2 organisations, 7 individuals (one individual was from the North Lanarkshire Council area) and representatives from a local church, Housing Association, nursery, Glasgow City Council (Education)
Event Format Following a welcome, soup/bread (catering was provided by social enterprise Moogety Foods) and a presentation of the background to the food growing strategy and its planned development the attendees took part in short workshops to gather their knowledge and ideas.
This was the first workshop where a theme in relation to food growing was explored as well as the local context. The theme was social enterprise and food growing and it was one of the workshop choices during the evening. Abi Mordin from Glasgow Community Food Network set the social enterprise context by a
presentation highlighting the work of the Glasgow Community Food Network and the recent Roots to Market report.
2. Workshop 1 – Where, why and why don’t you grow your own? If you grow your own where do you do it? Participant placed stickers on the relevant type/site of growing on the Our Growing Community poster (total number 13).
Number (total number Growing Space 13) Allotment sites 3 individual gardens 3 derelict and undeveloped land 1 community garden 2 school garden 2 public parks and gardens 1 community woodland 1
Why do you grow your own? Participants placed a post it with their name on the reason that applied to them on the chart supplied by greenspace scotland. If there were a number of reasons they were asked to identify the main reason.
The total number of responses was 10
Reason Number (total 10) other – please say why 3 to spend time outdoors 1 to save money 1 because it tastes better 1 to be sure there aren’t chemicals on my food 2 to be completely self-sufficient 1 To enhance the food I buy 1
Other reasons listed for growing your own: 1. To bring people together outside 2. It's therapeutic 3. Educate children and families If you don’t grow your own why don’t you? Participants placed a post it with their name on the reason that applies to them on the chart supplied by greenspace scotland.
Reason Number (Total 7) no garden 1 don't have the time 1
don't have the tools 1 don't know how to/lack of gardening skills 3 Can’t get an allotment 1
3. Workshop 2 – Mapping Activity? Participants could mark growing sites that they are aware of on the maps covering the Springburn/Robroyston and North East wards of Glasgow and were also asked to identify potential growing sites. There were 3 options for identifying the locations:
Plot growing sites on paper maps Complete a paper form with site information Plot growing sites on the GIS digital map of Glasgow with help from the GCC team All locations will be plotted on to a single GIS digital map. 22 sites were marked on a combination of the paper maps and the digital map.
All participants were given the opportunity to find out more about the Open Space Strategy Local Context Analysis documents while the mapping exercise took place. There was limited interest from the participants.
4. Workshop 3 – Support and encouragement for community growing? Participants discussed two questions in small groups and wrote their suggestions down. Headings are derived from suggestions given.
Question 1 - What would encourage you or others to grow more? Access to land availability of a wide variety of plot sizes (allotments) more allotments as waiting lists are very long access for elderly and disabled areas for growing safe environment to grow in
Tools/plants/resources free equipment such as 1x1 m mini raised bed with free know how workshop funding for and recycling/sharing of seeds funding
Skills/training/peer support link community gardens and allotments in same area practical help to grow more vegetables - knowing what to buy/being shown what to do knowledge about different plants training kids’ class @ weekends with adults/parents involved (Riddrie)
Community gardener to ask for advice - where to start, what to plant, grow etc (Riddrie) start small - raised beds require less work and is a controlled environment support and skills/knowledge Education There has been a loss of culture of GYO, so need to give interest and access to growing and the use of fruit and veg
Volunteers/community interest convincing the neighbours - in social housing - that window boxes and communal gardens can be used for GYO - residents resisting what they view as making life more difficult community involvement
Question 2 - What support is currently being provided?
Access to land Milton Community Garden (Ward 16)
Organisations Join Social Farms and Gardens and visit other groups for free (Nationwide) Membership of TCV is free this year and you can apply for £500 start-up grant (Glasgow-wide) South Seeds (on South side – Ward 8)
Tools/plants/resources SWAMP Community Garden in Pollok - project with events and outreach workshops (Ward 4) small number of community gardens - grow your own courses + communal garden sessions individuals with an allotment can give advice (Glasgow-wide)
5. Social Enterprise and Food growing Introduction
This was the first event where a theme in relation to food growing was explored as well as the local context. The theme was social enterprise and food growing and it was also one of the workshop choices during the evening.
Abi Mordin from Glasgow Community Food Network (GCFN) set the social enterprise context by a presentation highlighting the work of the GCFN and the recent Roots to Market report.
The GFCN connects and supports the people and organisations of Glasgow who grow, produce and eat food. https://glasgowfood.net/. It was established in 2017 to bring together practitioners and organisations in the private, public and third sectors along with other interested individuals to develop a flourishing food system in Glasgow. It emerged from a consultation by Glasgow Local Food Network where it was decided that a more formal organisation was required. It was constituted as a Community Interest Company in May 2017. GCFN also facilitates seasonal networking events and the Veg-Cities campaign (Sustainable Food Cities network) https://glasgowfood.net/projects/projects-1
The Roots to Market report https://glasgowfood.net/assets/images/roots-to-market- FINAL-low-res.pdf is a partnership project between Propagate* and GCFN. The report represents Phase 1 of Roots to Market, compiling research carried out between October and December 2017.
The intention of this body of work is to show that there is a need to support the emergence and development of a local food economy. There are many people who wish to be Urban Market Gardeners, and many restaurateurs and retailers and people who wish to source, buy and use locally grown produce.
Roots to Market evidences that need, through conversations with aspiring Growers and supportive businesses. Conversations and focus groups were also held with representatives from Glasgow City Council (GCC), and other organisations that can offer support to work towards the local food vision.
The report outlines aspirations, barriers and opportunities and offers recommendations for both growers of food, retailers and GCC. Recommendations for growers include to set up cooperatives and coordinate a shared ordering system so retailers can buy in bulk what they need from one location. Retailers are encouraged to diversify their supply chains to include local food and GCC to include “Food” in the City Development Plan.
Glasgow City Council are also exploring social enterprise and food growing through the Connecting Nature programme - an EU funded project working with cities to develop and implement large scale nature-based solutions. Glasgow City’s Open Space Strategy (which includes the commitment to create the local food growing strategy) has been identified as the nature -based exemplar for Glasgow in Connecting Nature. The cities implementing nature -based solutions are supported in their work by research, business, community and NGO partners.
Horizon Nua, a not for profit social enterprise and partner in Connecting Nature has expertise in food enterprise development and were requested to provide suggestions on different food growing enterprises that could be undertaken in the city using open spaces, disused buildings and employing innovative growing techniques.
Horizon Nua has also looked at food growing enterprises that provide a community benefit and that could be established using a social enterprise model or be closely linked to existing social enterprises were deemed to be of interest. The report has
been circulated to project partners and is available on request from Emma Halliday. Email: [email protected]
*a collective based in Glasgow nurturing and supporting the emergence of new and innovative ideas to rethink and recreate our food system http://www.propagate.org.uk/
Workshops
In parallel to the workshops 2 and 3 above Abi Mordin facilitated a discussion relating to Social Enterprise
1. Mapping workshop
2. What sites are suitable? Ideal soil – previous use agriculture Easy access for visitors (customers?) Site conditions – for upscaling, high tech, non-traditional growing? 1 HA minimum – big enough to grow to sell Use of renewable tech Micro greens/indoor farm production – using vacant buildings for production, using hydroponics for larger scale production. Some Scottish Universities are researching this and there have been some test sites. Farm hacks – sessions with engineers and technology specialists and food growers/farmers to find inventive solutions to issues. These can identify alternative growing methods.
What site facilities are needed? Security Toilets Water Electricity Polytunnel Packing sheds and associated storage Transport (access) – decent vehicle access
3. Aspirations, barriers and needs What are your growing aspirations? - Scaraway Nursery: currently does limited growing but has raised beds at the nursery. The beds are positioned in the wrong place for productive growing. New staff member would like to encourage more growing activity and food/cooking education. Long term aim to supplement the NGCF Fruit and Veg Barra to raise income for nursery. - NGCF: Growing produce on Springburn Allotment plots to sell on Fruit and Veg Barra - Propagate - Establish flagship urban farm to be a home and hub for urban food production
What are the barriers? - Lack of knowledge and skills - People not placing a high value on food (incl. seasonality and locality) - Access to land
What do you think the solutions are? - Sessions with staff – training for teachers (nursery setting) - Education for staff and parents - Education both cooking skills and visits and connections with local growing projects
Who already grows to sell and what do you grow? - Propagate - Peri-urban growing just outside the city, supplying to café’s in the city