Bristol’s local food update save the green belt special may–june 2009

hen hundreds of us last year took the Eat the Change challenge and tried to spend a Save our soils – use our soils weekW eating only local, organic food free Richard Spalding from plastic packaging, we discovered just how limited local sustainable food It is great to hear that in the near future is. There are myriad reasons for this, but we might see beef cattle grazing historic the reality remains that with fossil fuels Stoke Park as City Council begin likely to become extremely scarce within to think through reconnections between our lifetimes and food miles contributing town and countryside. I would want to so intensely to climate change, we will press them to go a little further by panning soon have little choice but to produce the camera lens up and over this idyllic most of our food locally. In light of this, scene to settle on “the Blue Finger”. it is essential that we start preparing Smallholdings in Frenchay now by ring fencing land for sustainable I have coined this phrase to get us all food production now. thinking about high quality agricultural the M32 becoming an edible landscape land on the north Bristol fringe which for the city. It would be a beacon for a Transition Network is beginning to used to be at the heart of what was called new AGRI-CULTURE which would help to explore how Britain can best feed itself, the Bristol Dairying and Market Garden nourish our bellies and our communities. analysing Britain’s land potential for Sub-Region. We can follow a blue [colour- It would mark the beginning of a truly food production in light of nutritional coded] finger of high quality soils on the sustainable agriculture which reconnects needs, climate change, flood predictions, 1953 Agricultural Land Classification map people and the land. It would celebrate soil quality, population densities etc. But of and Wales which shows a strip the importance of city and countryside what is already overwhelmingly obvious of fertile land stretching from Frenchay, working together to deliver food security. is that we will need every inch of land through Hambrook and Winterbourne and Impossible you say? suitable for food production, in both the out into open country. The post Second countryside and cities, if we are going to One thing is certain in my mind; the idea War assessment of land and soil quality be able to feed ourselves in the future. of covering up the best farm land in the shows just how such land was valued as a country with city extensions, park and This edition of Bristol’s Local Food strategically important resource under the rides and notions of green infrastructure Update shines the spotlight on how banner of “Best and Most Versatile” soils need to be challenged, in order that food Bristol’s Green Belt and agricultural for local food production. produced from these soils takes its right­- hinterlands are increasingly being given The soils are deep, red, largely stone- ful place at the discussion table. There are over to development in the pursuit of free and close to the city. They have the some signs that we are beginning to think further economic growth (largely in capacity to help feed us, especially in the again about the importance of the soil and response to central government targets), context of climate change, peak oil and the land to ALL our futures and I would like despite the increasing imperative to food insecurity. The soils themselves now to see Bristol and South save our soils for food production. lie largely derelict, the market gardens Councils working together to enable the The Green Belt, an area five times having fallen prey to the global food re-creation of the food economies on and the size of Bristol and predominantly economy and the land now de-valued for around the “Blue Finger”. classified as farmland (but much of food production. We need to audit this I am very keen to establish a wide-ranging which currently lies fallow) is being private and public land to establish just set of debates about this topic and am increasingly earmarked by Local how possible it might be to re-create a convinced that it might be possible to Authorities for developments such local foodscape for our region. begin looking forward to another, and as 117,000 new houses in the South There is much to gain from doing this arguably more important, “dig for victory” West. We all need to act now to ensure and my campaign seeks to mobilise campaign. I sense that the cattle of Stoke that Bristol City Council ring fences all another “dig for victory” campaign Park might just be the idea that sparks suitable land for food production: read to allow food communities, new food a new and regionally important symbol on and stay in touch to find out how to businesses and all of us eaters to begin around which to secure and re-invent our make your voice heard. the process of re-shaping our local food local foodscapes. If you want to contribute Claire Milne culture. I have a vision for this foodscape to this debate, then please contact me at: Transition Bristol and Bristol Food Hub which sees the northern gateway along [email protected] save the green belt special Save the Greenbelt Alliance Events Pip Sheard, Bristol Friends of the Earth

Roots – a tale of love and vegetables 28–31 May 7.30pm & 2.30pm Sat & Sun 4–7 June 7.30pm & 2.30pm Sat & Sun Lower Common Allotments, Royal Victoria Park, Bath Kilter, Bath’s outdoor theatre company, lead audiences on a gentle journey down In March this year, an alliance of local land? We want a return to a sane and the bean-rows to investigate food-security groups across the was sensible housing policy with local rather in the approaching post-oil world. After set up to protect our local countryside than central Government control, more the performance the audience will be from development. A demonstration was tailored to local housing needs rather than offered free seeds to get growing. held outside the Architecture Centre unrealistic economic growth predictions Tickets £9 (Concessions £7) on sale from where developers were displaying their and using brownfield (existing built-up) ICIA’s Box Office 01225 386777 proposals for Ashton Park, the first land first to protect local farmland for urban extension of 10,500 new homes future agriculture, amenity, recreation, www.bath.ac.uk/icia/events/?page= planned under the Regional Spatial wildlife and our health and to serve the event&art_form=Theatre&event_id=311_ Strategy (RSS). existing city’s need for clean air, cooling and drainage during times of flood and Groups from all the villages in the green- heavy rain. If you live in any of the areas Bristol Vegan Fayre belt around Bristol and Bath are working affected, we can put you in touch with together www.saveourgreenspaces.org 30 & 31 May your local group who are working with with the Transport for Amphitheatre, Bristol Harbourside local councillors and MPs all of whom are Alliance www.tfgb.org.uk and Bristol opposed to the RSS. 140 stalls, talks & cookery demos, music & Friends of the Earth www.bristolfoe.org.uk performance, kids area and, of course, lots to oppose the RSS, the regional planning For further information or if you are of vegan food. Advance tickets £8/day. document used by the Government to interested in getting involved, contact force the four councils to plan for a target Pip Sheard at [email protected]. www.bristol.veganfayre.co.uk of 117,000 new houses to be constructed We will be involved in a major letter in the next 20 years, the bulk outside of writing campaign to local MPs and Bristol will be built as large new urban councillors in early May in order to put Love Food Festival extensions in the existing countryside. pressure on Government ministers who Paintworks, Bath Road, Bristol The full extent of the RSS proposals is at plan to introduce the RSS as early as 10.30am–10.30pm Sunday 21 June June. If you can help by sending emailing www.cpreavonside.org.uk/wp-content/ Free entry or writing, please contact us as soon as uploads/cpre-housing-map.pdf possible. Paintworks’ family-friendly farmers market The proposals for Ashton Park will include brings the finest West Country produce to The Greenbelt Alliance covers the new major road construction including the Bristol’s creative quarter. four councils of the West of England South Bristol Link which is opposed by the Partnership: Bristol, S. Gloucs, BANES & The Urban Herb garden will be back with a city’s environmental groups. We believe N. huge selection of culinary and medicinal that in view of climate change, rising oil herbs for sale. Two local experts will be and food prices, existing Government giving talks in the space – Phil Haughton transport money should be spent on Save Our Green Spaces from the Better Food Company will be improving public transport including local public meeting demonstrating how easy it is to start rail services, a tram rather than a Bus growing some of your own food with Rapid Transit and the establishment of an Thursday 7 May, 5.30pm onwards special hands-on workshops for children. Integrated Transport Authority to improve Kingswood Civic Centre Max Drake the renowned local medicinal the buses. The groups oppose the RSS on Stalls from Greenbelt Alliance groups. herbalist will be talking about herbs, how a whole range of environmental, transport Speakers from: Save Our Green Spaces, to care for them and how we can use them and planning grounds including the loss the National Trust, Avon Wildlife Trust and to heal everyday ailments. of local farmland for food production the National Union of Farmers. close to the city. How can we have local For further information visit food if we are to lose so much local Details at: www.saveourgreenspaces.org www.lovefoodfestival.com or email [email protected]

2 bristol’s local food update · maY–JUNE 2009 save the green belt special Bristol’s Green Belt – Events Henleaze Garden Club have your say plant sale Alison Belshaw, Sustain 10am–12.30pm Saturday 9 May 3 Grange Park, Westbury on Trym, Local residents, communities and Through this new survey, being carried Bristol landowners are being asked for their out in Bristol, London and Merseyside, we Plants to buy. Tea, coffee and cake stall. views on future uses of Green Belt land are trying to find out how people in Bristol Proceeds towards club funds. Everyone around Bristol. The survey, being carried would like to see undeveloped Green Belt welcome. out by the Campaign to Protect Rural used in the future, such as for farming, England (CPRE), gives you a chance to woodland, or recreation. In particular, www.henleazesociety.co.uk/diary.htm we would like the views of people from help shape the future of the countryside inner-city areas. We also want to hear from where you live, work or visit. landowners or users based in Green Belt Lawrence Weston seed swap Green Belt is rural land around cities that areas. Saturdays is protected from excessive housing and CPRE is widely recognised as an other development by planning and Saturday 16 May and every organisation that is listened to by 3rd Saturday of the month until development policies, thus preventing Government Ministers. Your responses 19 September urban sprawl. Around 13% of land in will help CPRE to influence a current Lawrence Weston Library and Learning England is estimated to be in one of the Government investigation of how to make Resource centre, Broadlands Drive, 14 Green Belt areas. Some professional the best use of Green Belts and other Lawrence Weston, Bristol organisations and developers argue that countryside in the future. The information Green Belts are no longer needed, but a will be analysed and reported back in local An opportunity to swap spare plant MORI poll for CPRE in 2005 found that media in the autumn. seeds with other gardeners and talk about seasonal gardening issues. 84% of people in England believe that There are two surveys, one for individual The swaps are free sessions for all ages. Green Belt land should remain open and members of the public and community undeveloped, and that building on Green groups, the other for landowners, land For more details contact Belt land should not be allowed. management professionals, tenant farmers [email protected] The Avon Green Belt stretches over about and local authorities. The surveys can be completed on-line. Deadline: 31 July 2009. 270 square miles – an area about 5 times the size of the city of Bristol. Most of the www.cpre.org.uk/campaigns/planning/ Green Belt is classed as farmland but in green-belts/green-belts-green-belts- practice some of this farmland may not for-a-greener-future-survey actually be farmed, but left idle or for Please pass details of this survey to as grazing horses. A small proportion many people as possible. If you would (roughly 10%) is covered by woodland or like a hard copy of the form, the survey parkland, including the Forest of Avon. is being co-ordinated locally by Sustain: Leigh Court Farm Open Day There is also a growing interest in where the alliance for food and farming. Contact 1–4pm Saturday 27 June our food comes from, against a background Alison Belshaw: [email protected] Leigh Court Farm, Pill Road, Abbots of concern about global food supplies and for more details. Leigh, Bristol interest in buying locally produced food. Tours round the walled garden, orchard, Much of the Green Belt land around Bristol paddock and woodland at Leigh Court is good quality farm land Farm. Staff and volunteers will be on and could be used for food hand to talk about how this year’s growing much more than it growing season is faring, and how your is at present. If local veggies are grown! communities show an interest The walled garden only represents a in buying food from the Green small part of the work at Leigh Court Belt, this could encourage Farm. We farm over 16 acres at our other landowners to farm their two fields. land more actively where they are not already Maps and descriptions of what crops are doing so. being grown there will be available. Tea & delicious homemade cakes!!

www.leighcourtfarm.org.uk Regional Spatial Strategy housing targets Email: [email protected] Tel/fax: 01275 375756

3 bristol’s local food update · maY–JUNE 2009 Courses & skill-sharing Events Freeskilling events Introduction to Permaculture Real Food Festival The Better Food Company Weekends 8–10 May Proving House, Servier Street, 11–12 July & 17–18 October Earls Court, London St Werburghs, Bristol Windmill Hill City Farm, Bedminster The Real Food Festival is a celebration www.betterfood.co.uk £65–£25 on a sliding scale depending on of everything from the farm to your plate: income 7pm Tuesday 26 May n Over 400 producers Vegan Baking From the ethics and philosophy to n UK’s best chefs Biscuits, cakes, muffins and brownies – principles and design. Informal, relaxed n Barny Haughton on beating the credit all are possible without breaking an egg and participatory courses with inspiring crunch and still eating wonderful food (or into a sweat!) The Vegetarian & Vegan examples of how it works in practice and Foundation explains how. some practical work on the permaculture n Real Food Debates with Zac Goldsmith, plot at the City Farm. Patrick Holden, Joanna Blythman, The evening is FREE and EVERYONE is Rosie Boycott and Graham Harvey welcome, though donations are accepted Email [email protected] n Growing food with Garden Organic for the venue. Any ingredients required on for more information and bookings. the night will be sold at cost price. n Education area for kids www.realfoodfestival.co.uk www.justfortheloveofit.org Practical Introduction to Permaculture 9.30am–12.30pm, starting Tuesday 29 September for 10 weeks Windmill Hill City Farm, Bristol £110 (to be confirmed) or £15 concessions for those with under £15,000 income Run jointly with the Workers Educational Association. Indoors sessions explore Stroud Communiversity what Permaculture is. Outdoor sessions Organic food growing courses are spent on the farm’s permaculture plot. 15–17 May Stuff the credit crunch, eat fresh Practical work may involve making and The Exchange, Brick Row, Stroud organic food all year round planting a deep mulch raised bed, taking With Land, Food and Money at the fruit bush cuttings or making a worm heart of this recession, we offer an Thursdays 10am–12.30pm, 7 May–25 June composter to take home. We go on walks examination of practical, creative and Eastside Roots Garden, to observe nature in the local area, and innovative solutions to support the Trinity Arts Centre visit community gardens in Bristol to see growth and development of a resilient £80 (waged) or £35 (unwaged) permaculture in action. local economy. Learn to grow fruit, veg & herbs. Work Phone 0117 9633252 for bookings. outside, meet people, and gain knowledge Friday 15 May and practical experience. The sessions will Richard Keating & Martin Large: be a mix of ideas and information indoors, Connecting with place, people and land Ragmans Lane Farm courses Exploring followed by hands-on work in the thriving through walking and art – models for sustainable livelihoods by community garden. We have a poly-tunnel, Ragmans Lane is a 60 acre farm in the researching and experiencing how we compost loo, lots of fruit trees and a Forest of Dean. The farm uses permaculture connect with nature and the landscape. friendly bunch of volunteers. The course is as a guiding design principle. Costs accredited by City of Bristol College. include bunkhouse accommodation and Saturday 16 May food. Ffi: 01594 860244 To join or find out more, call Tom on 07988 Nick Weir & Odilia Jarman: Food for life 2–3 May Closing the gap between production and 460373, or email [email protected]. Sustainable bee keeping, £125 consumption by directly supporting our www.eastsideroots.org.uk 29–31 May farmers and taking part in cultivating, www.3ca.org.uk/projects/trinity-gardens Medicinal herbs, £140 harvesting, preparing and sharing food. 7–20 June or 30 August–12 September Sunday 17 May , £690 Introduction to Permaculture Permaculture design course Molly Scott Cato & Max Comfort: 19 September–3 October Working for ourselves; working for 30–31 May Permaculture for groups, £550 each other Eastside Roots gardens at Stapleton 10–12 October 3 days: £280/£190 concs inc 5 meals Road Station and the Trinity Centre Cider making weekend, £190 1 day: £100/£70 concs inc 2 meals £65/£50/£35 13–15 November For more information & bookings go to: A chance to learn more about what Permaculture weekend, £110–£65 (concs) inspired the creation of Eastside Roots. www.stroudcommonwealth.org.uk www.ragmans.co.uk/courses/courselist. email: [email protected] www.eastsideroots.org.uk html phone Odilia: 01453 766598

4 bristol’s local food update · maY–JUNE 2009 Funding Bristol news Access to Nature funding Russell Town Avenue Community Allotment Access to Nature is a £25 million grant Russell Town Avenue Community Allotment training, social events as well as growing scheme which aims to encourage (RTACA) origins date back to 2003, having food has been created. RTACA allows local more people to enjoy the outdoors, moved from its original church hall site, residents to share ideas about preparing particularly those who face social via the Black Development Agency, to its and cooking produce, whilst some have exclusion or those that currently have present location at City Academy Bristol also had opportunities to develop skills little or no contact with the natural (CAB) on Russell Town Avenue 2 years ago. in landscaping and garden construction environment. projects. Consisting of 6 core residents, key Grants of £50,000–£500,000 will be objectives for the group over the next We collaborate with other local groups and awarded to projects that deliver one or year are to promote RTACA, welcome new contacts in sourcing recycled or organic more of the scheme’s main outcomes. members and increase the number of materials, and sharing information about visitors to the allotment. events such as plant/seed swaps and www.naturalengland.org.uk/ workshops. ourwork/enjoying/outdoorsforall/ CAB students use the site, exploring accesstonature/default.aspx through practical activity such as It’s an enriching experience being rainwater harvesting and composting, outdoors, connecting with nature and where food comes from, self-sufficiency discovering the seasonal impact on Neighbourhood Partnerships and reducing reliance on non-renewable the plot, and also through working and Bristol’s Neighbourhood Partnerships resources. learning together to achieve a common goal – producing fresh, tasty, healthy, bring together local councillors with Prior to cultivation, drainage of the area lower mileage food! residents, community groups, and was very poor. Now there is better uptake agencies such as the police, health of water and improved soil quality. An For more information, email Nicola Feris services and schools, to help improve interesting, lively space that is used for [email protected] local services. The City is covered by 14 Partnerships, each of which has Council funding of £10,000 per ward to spend on locally-agreed priorities. GROFUN Partnerships can also raise additional Bristol’s evolving Local co-operatively in their gardens) and funds for a ‘community chest’ to Food Growing Initiative many more people getting stuck in to spend on their own local priorities. GROFUN (Growing Real our fantastic new community allotment For example, The Better Bedminster Organic Food in Urban in St Werburghs. The scheme is being Community Chest has given grants Neighbourhoods) is replicated in other communities, to Windmill Hill City Farm’s Young going from strength to strength. most excitingly by Alys Fowler (from Gardeners’ World) in her home town City Farmers’ Club, local parks We were very proud to be included on projects and Show of Strength theatre of Kings Heath, Birmingham with BBC2’s long standing show Gardeners’ performances in local shops. individuals ‘mulling’ it over (to coin World on Good Friday in the same week a Transition term) in Nailsworth and To find your local Partnership & the as a very complimentary article about Wraxall. right officer at Bristol City Council: the scheme appeared on The Guardian’s Our website has been massively www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/ Gardening Blog. Read more here: improved with a new look, more info and Environment-Planning/Planning/file- www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/ photos: www.grofun.org.uk storage-items/bristol-neighbourhood- gardening-blog/2009/apr/07/gardens partnerships-map-and-contact-list.en We are on the allotment or doing Action We have 15 people signed up to the Days most weekends, so get in touch if The Department of Communities Many Hands scheme (which co- you want directions at: and Local Government has launched ordinates neighbours to grow food [email protected] a scheme for Neighbourhood Partnerships to become Inspiring Communities. Initially it will fund and support 15 Partnerships around the country to deliver a programme of activities working with young people, their parents and communities, to create new opportunities, broaden horizons and build up the self- confidence of local people. Deadline for bids is Wednesday 3 June. Further details at: www.communities.gov.uk/ communities/neighbourhoodrenewal/ inspiringcommunities

5 bristol’s local food update · maY–JUNE 2009 Food stories on the web Bristol news Consumption Dwarfs Population Sustainable Redland As Main Environmental Threat We are starting a susred gardening club at the farm. The Metford Road Community digest: It’s overconsumption, focusing on fruit and veg and ecofriendly Orchard is very busy and still keen to get not population growth, that is the methods. If anyone is interested they just more local members, we’re putting up a fundamental problem. By almost need to email susred, or better still join new shed on Sunday 19 April, and we’ll be any measure, a small portion of the our yahoo email group (details on website) planning some sort of open day soon. world’s people — those in the affluent, and post a message. developed world — use up most of the Susred is hoping to team up with the Earth’s resources and produce most of Redland and Cotham Amenities Society Kingsdown Conservation Group to maybe its greenhouse gas emissions. Open Gardens, 2–5.30pm Sunday 14 June start some sort of community gardening project using NHS land near St A delightful event and there’s more edible www.e360.yale.edu/content/feature. Michaels Hill. And of course there is the stuff and wildflower patches in Redland msp?id=2140 Whiteladies Farmers Market, first Friday, gardens each year. third Saturday every month, 8.30am–2pm Is Local Food Better? Susred is involved with the plans for a corner of Whiteladies and Apsley Road. digest: Yes, probably – but not in the Community Supported Agriculture Susred welcomes any help from local way many people think. farmlink initiative with Woodbarn Farm people who are keen to make a difference in Chew Magna, in conjunction with Better – just check out the website and join the www.worldwatch.org/node/6064?em Food Co, Avon Wildlife Trust and helped by email group. c=el&m=227941&l=4&v=1476577ebc the Soil Association. An open day, or festival even, is planned for 5 September www.sustainableredland.org.uk Food Industry Pursues the Strategy of Big Tobacco digest: Kelly Brownell has long studied the relationship between Bristol Libraries involved in ‘Get Bristol Growing rising levels of obesity in the US and Bristol Friends of the Earth has been the way food is grown, processed, involved with the Bristol Library Service packaged, and sold. In this interview in placing collections of new books he discusses the common marketing on food growing, storage, cooking and lobbying tactics employed by the local produce and food policy in two food and tobacco industries. local Libraries. An opening of the new www.e360.yale.edu/content/feature. collection at Lawrence Weston Library The second book collection of 50 new msp?id=2136 took place last month with food related books was opened by Andy Hamilton events including a Veg Doctor giving local author of the Self-sufficientish Eating Animal Products Ethically advice to the public, local allotment Bible on Friday 24 April at Eastville holders available to talk to and a talk on Library. A free packet of seeds is on www.sharonastyk.com/2009/04/02/ organic veg production. Regular seed offer for every new person who joins eating-animal-products-ethically swaps are now taking place. the Library (bring a bill etc as proof of address) for the following month. Public health and the episteme of For further details contact Vicki Bowd, growth Library Supervisor Contact Jo Sergeant, Library supervisor digest: Taken from the website www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/ www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/ Health After Oil: The Impacts of Energy Leisure-Culture/Libraries/library- Leisure-Culture/Libraries/library- Decline on Public Health & Medicine finder.en?XSL=library&LibraryId=26 finder.en?XSL=library&LibraryId=60

www.healthafteroil.wordpress. com/2009/03/28/public-health-and- Land Use plans for Bristol announced the-episteme-of-growth Bristol City Council (BCC) have published The documents are available at: Tesco’s ‘flights for lights’ promotion a site schedule, maps, and the suggested www.bristol.gov.uk/bdf land uses which were submitted as part of – every little hurts Over 1,100 submissions were made their land use consultation. digest: Supermarket’s offer of air by a wide range of individuals and miles in exchange for low-energy BCC have published an updated briefing organisations on some 600 sites across light bulbs is like giving away a pack note and a Community Involvement the city. of Benson and Hedges with every Programme. The briefing sets out how BCC The Site Allocations Options are expected Nicorette patch. intend to progress with the assessment to be issued for consultation during of these sites and suggested uses. www.guardian.co.uk/environment/ the autumn, and further details will be The Community Involvement Programme ethicallivingblog/2009/apr/06/ available on the website nearer the time. explains how the community will be tesco-advert-energy-saving-bulbs- involved, including the ways we intend to For more information, contact Sarah flights-greenwash consult, notify and inform people at O’Driscoll, Team Manager – Strategic and significant stages in the process. Citywide Policy Team, [email protected]

6 bristol’s local food update · maY–JUNE 2009 E-news subscriptions & newsletters Odds & ends There are lots of e-newsletters and BBC ‘Dig in’ campaign Vegetable landrace survey email alerts that can help keep you up- to-date with local food developments. The Dig in campaign aims to get more The Universities of Birmingham & Warwick, Where an email contact is given people growing and eating their own with funding from Defra, are carrying out below, just email to say that you would veg. It’s especially aimed at people who a survey of traditional vegetable varieties like to subscribe. Where a website have not grown before, and who have grown in England and Wales because of is given, there is an on-line form for limited space. The BBC has coverage of their historical and cultural value, but also subscription the campaign across the network, on to conserve the full range of diversity of Gardeners’ World, CBeebies and BBC the UK’s crop plants. If you are a grower The Growing Schools newsletter Food. The Dig in website has tips on of traditional vegetable varieties you can how to grow your own tomatoes, carrots, complete the survey online at: The Growing Schools project is beetroot, lettuce and squash (from seeds a government initiative from the www.surveymonkey.com/vegetable_ given away – and now all gone), lots of Department for children, schools landrace_survey recipes, and you can subscribe to an and families (DCSF), which is run by e-newsletter with more tips. or contact Shelagh Kell Farming and Countryside Education [email protected] 01297 678117 (FACE). www.bbc.co.uk/digin Their website has lots of resources for teachers running growing projects in New strategy for the Food their schools. The e-newsletter has Standards Agency updates from the project, plus news

The Food Standards Agency (FSA), the and from partner organisations. New Food Co-op website Government’s agency aiming to protect Sign up to the newsletter at: More and more people are setting up food the public’s health and consumer www.growingschools.org.uk co-ops so they can get good food at an interests in relation to food, has recently affordable price. Sustain’s food co-ops launched a full public consultation on its f3 Local Food News new strategy (2010–15). website can help you find out if there’s f3 are local food consultants who already a food co-op in your area, or if not Unfortunately the FSA’s parochial focus provide market research, business will give you all the information you need on food and health through an almost planning and consultancy services to to set up your own food co-op. exclusively nutrition lens, means that it organisations and enterprises involved www.sustainweb.org/foodcoops fails to recognise that people’s health is in local food and farming, and related also seriously compromised by food’s sustainability initiatives. Their monthly negative impact on local communities, e-newsletter summarises local food Landshare their environments and economies. Our stories appearing in the media. disconnection with food and where it Landshare is a land dating service, that Sign up to the newsletter at: comes from is a result of the globalisation puts Growers who need land, in touch with www.localfood.org.uk/index.html and industrialisation of our food system. Landowners who have land. The re-localisation our food system Food Ethics Council newsletter You can register as a Landowner, Grower would bring myriad direct and in-direct or Helper – though currently there’s a bit health benefits ranging from the physical The Food Ethics Council challenges of an imbalance of 3,620 landowners to exercise involved in growing our own food, government, business and society to 28,452 frustrated growers. through to decreased traffic pollution make wise choices that lead to better and stress, increased household budgets food and farming. They are a charity The Bristol entries are almost all from for food resulting from strengthened and work as an independent think tank those looking for land, with a few local economies and the social benefits and advisory body. tantalising exceptions: “City plot in Clifton, of markets and small shops in terms overgrown, slight hill. Will be a building Sign up to the monthly e-newsletter at: of bringing communities together and plot someday, until then, best make use of www.foodethicscouncil.org/ providing social interaction for people it. No water or leccy. No rent required, but supportus/mailinglist otherwise isolated within their community. agreement must be drawn up. Plot fully accessable at any time.” The FSA’s current consultation is an Children’s Food Campaign amazing opportunity to highlight the The Children’s Food Campaign wants This is a great opportunity to highlight importance of broadening it’s strategy’s to improve young people’s health and the increasing demand for land for food focus from ‘food safety’ and ‘balanced well-being through better food – and growing. Don’t be put off registering as a diets’ to embrace food’s wider impacts on food teaching – in schools and by grower, despite the lack of land currently people’s health. protecting children from junk food advertised: the more growers who register marketing. looking for land – the more powerful case The deadline for responses is Friday 5 we have to make to Bristol City Council to June. To feed in your comments visit: Register as a supporter and to join the provide land for food growing. mailing list at: www.food.gov.uk/consultations/ www.sustainweb.org/ To find out more and register visit: ukwideconsults/2009/ childrensfoodcampaign/register_ http://landshare.channel4.com proposedfsastrategy20102015 your_support

7 bristol’s local food update · maY–JUNE 2009 Publications The potential to increase productivity of wheat and oilseed rape in the UK In spring 2008, the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor John Beddington, commissioned two reports on the theme of food security in response to high world food prices. The first of these reports considers the potential to increase The food and farming Food Policy: integrating UK production of two key arable crops, wheat and oil seed rape. transition: toward a post health, environment and carbon food system society Download the report at: www.dius.gov.uk/partner_ Richard Heinberg & Michael Bomford, PhD Tim Lang, David Barling & Martin organisations/office_for_science/ Caraher, Centre for Food Policy, The American food system rests on an science_in_government/key_issues/ City University unstable foundation of massive fossil fuel food_security/increase_productivity inputs. It must be reinvented in the face of For over 50 years, food policy has been declining fuel stocks. The new food system based on the assumptions that more food will use less energy, and the energy it would yield greater health and happiness uses will come from renewable sources. by driving down prices, increasing The transition to the new system can be availability, and feeding more mouths. through a process of planned, graduated, This policy is now coming unstuck. This rapid change. The unplanned alternative – book explores the enormity of what the reconstruction from scratch after collapse new policy mix must address, taking – would be chaotic and tragic. the approach that food policy must be inextricably linked with public health, Download the report at: environmental damage, and social postcarbon.org/files/PCI-food-and- inequalities to be effective. farming-transition.pdf Sustainable animal For more information see: production: The challenges www.oup.com/uk/ and potential developments catalogue/?ci=9780198567882 for professional farming Edited by A. Aland & F. Madec An understanding of sustainability in animal production is becoming increasingly necessary since the global demand for food is expected to dramatically increase in the coming decades. Raising animals for Future scenarios for the UK the production of food will become food system: A toolkit for increasingly challenging. This book addresses the major issues related to thinking ahead Implications of a Nutrition animal health and welfare maintenance Paul Steedman & Wendy Schultz, Driven Food Policy for the in relation to their environment. Food Ethics Council Countryside For more information see: The only certainty about the future is that The Rural Economy and Land Use www.WageningenAcademic.com/sap it won’t turn out as we expect. Even our Programme have produced a briefing best projections are likely to be wrong. But summarising findings of their project people and organisations striving for a fair which set out to examine how the and sustainable food system are aiming UK could produce healthy foods that for long-term ambitions, not only short- consumers wish to buy at prices they are term goals. So how can we plan ahead willing to pay, and to assess the impact on wisely in a world that is bound to surprise land use and the rural environment and us? This report sets out four possible economy. scenarios for the future of UK food in 2022. Download the briefing at: Download the report at: www.relu.ac.uk/news/policy%20 www.foodethicscouncil.org/files/ and%20practice%20notes/PPN6%20 FECscenariosreport(web).pdf Traill.pdf

8 bristol’s local food update · maY–JUNE 2009 Shout out for plants! Any spare plants, cuttings, extra veg Regular things seedlings, plants too big for your garden? Please bring them to Eastside GROFUN Action Weekends Roots’ Stapleton Road Station site. Ashley Vale Allotments, St Werburghs If they are labelled this will really help. Every week, from noon Saturdays & We also have a specific wish list of Sundays Grub Club Organic Veg Club plants for our ‘flower garden’ and our Ashley Vale Allotments are just behind The Every Tuesday 4.30–6.30pm ‘demonstration garden’ on the slope, Farm pub, Hopetoun Road, St Werburghs. Midnimo Centre, 163 Ashley Road, available on our website: Drag on your wellies and come and give an St Pauls www.eastsideroots.org.uk hour or two. Refreshments provided Enjoy wholesale veg prices on organic veg, Phone Nadia 0797 3847894 for more info. by joining the The Grub Club veg co-op – which now has its own website:

http://bristolgrubclub.blogspot.com/ Eastside Roots regular volunteer days Royate Hill Community Orchard Stapleton Road Train Station 10.30am–4.30pm Wednesdays & Fridays Regular monthly workdays Trinity Community Arts Centre garden 1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month 12 noon–5pm every Thursday 11am–4pm (drop by anytime, but cleaning up starts around 3pm) Bristol local food directory Improve your local community, meet new friends, learn new skills and keep fit. As well as the fruit trees, we also plant www.bristollocalfood.co.uk vegetables, and whoever shows up for Phone Nick Ward on 07810 806 354 or Publicise your community project or workdays when there is a harvest, gets to email [email protected] promote your favourite stalls, shops, take food home. Drinks available, bring pubs & cafés. Help us to keep the www.eastsideroots.org.uk snacks to share. Tools and gardening directory up-to-date with reviews by gloves provided. There is also a compost you – people who care about local toilet at the orchard. Everybody welcome, food. Fill in the form on the website, Westbury-on-Trym regardless of experience. or email: [email protected] Local produce Market For more information: 9am–1pm every fourth Saturday www.kebelecoop.org/collectives_ Health Centre Car Park off the Westbury permaculture.html village main car park Map at: More details tel. 0117 9504 238 or www.kebelecoop.org/images/flyer_ www.suswot.org.uk permaculture_may08.pdf

Help improve food in your local schools Want schools in your area to be growing, cooking and eating fresh, seasonal, local and organic food and visiting the farms where their food in produced? Bristol City Council are soon to start working with a number of schools to pilot the Soil Association’s Food for Life Project, which supports schools n Air Balloon Junior, St George to transform food culture. Participating n Cheddar Grove Primary, Bedminster schools will get resources and guidance Bristol’s Local Food Update Down to help make positive changes and win n Greenfield Primary, Novers Park If you didn’t receive this PDF by email, awards for their achievements. n Henbury Court Primary, Henbury you can send a subscription request Bristol City Council is approaching the n Hotwells Primary, Hotwells for future issues to be sent to you, to: following schools to be part of the pilot n Sea Mills Juniors, Sea Mills [email protected] and is keen to involve local communities n St Nicholas of Tolentine, Lawfords This is also the address for sending in this work. If your community project is Gate (Lawrence Hill) anything you would like included in near one of these schools or you would n St Joseph’s, Fishponds the next newsletter – deadline 13 June. like to be involved in some way, please n Wansdyke Primary, Whitchurch We’d also love to hear your feedback… contact [email protected] n Ashton Park Secondary, Bower Ashton

This issue of Bristol’s local food update was compiled by Claire Milne & Jane Stevenson Design by Jane Stevenson: [email protected] Thanks to Martin Haswell for the fruit & veg photos: www.mhdi.co.uk

9 bristol’s local food update · maY–JUNE 2009