BRISTOL FOOD NETWORK Bristol’s local food update2015 community project news · courses · publications · events july–august Get Growing Trail 2015 The sun shone, visitors came, much cake The full library of over 1200 Trail photos is 3rd row: Hengrove & Whitchurch Community now available to view and use at: walk · Horfield Organic Community Orchard · Incredible was consumed. Tours were taken, Edible Castle Park, Edible Fishponds & Millennium were sold, volunteers were recruited, https://www.flickr.com/photos/ Square 4th row: Lawrence Weston Community Farm · inspiration was passed on. bristolfoodnetwork/collections/ Let’s Grow · Metford Road Community Orchard · … but here are just a few of the highlights: Patchwork Community Growing Group’s orchard · A big thank you to all of the community Redland Green allotments 5th row: St George Park · top row: Blaise Community Garden · Bell Hill allotments · St Werburghs City Farm · Sims Hill Shared Harvest · Stoke groups who took part in the Get Growing St Aidans allotments · Bramble Farm Community Lane Community Garden · Sustainable Westbury-on-Trym Garden Trail 2015, and to our hard-working Smallholding · Easton Community Garden 2nd row: bottom row: Totterdown Sprouting · The Trinity Garden · Elm Tree Farm · Feed Bristol · Fishponds Community Upper Horfield Community Garden Club · Windmill Hill photographers who captured the event. Orchard · The Golden Hill Community Garden · HHEAG City Farm · Woodroft Community Orchard Read more online

Baltimore Combats Food Deserts with Urban Farming Tax Break Introduction The hard work of the Spring is just starting to pay-off digest: Urban farmers in the city of with the arrival of our early Summer – there’s nothing quite like Baltimore will soon qualify for a 90 percent property tax break under a sneaking a sun-warmed strawberry, straight from the . bill recently approved by the Mayor. The move, the latest in a series of In this issue we celebrate some great local projects which are trying to tax-break initiatives for city growers get Good Food out to all parts of the city – through education and via in areas like San Francisco and innovative distribution – so more of us get to enjoy some plot to plate. Washington DC, is intended to bolster local production of healthy food. Please email any suggestions for content of the September–October newsletter by 14 August to [email protected]. http://yardfarmers.us/baltimore- combats-food-deserts-with-urban- farming-tax-break/

Good, good, good, good bacteria digest: Recent research on the role of Chelsea Fringe in Bristol bacteria suggests we need a radical Caroline Duval rethink about what makes us healthy.

There were lots of edible installations and growing related events in this year’s Chelsea http://sustainablefoodtrust.org/ Fringe in Bristol including; a ‘honeycomb meadow’ in the Millennium Square and a articles/good-good-good-good- ‘pickup pollinators’ truck parked alongside At Bristol to illustrate the importance of bacteria/ creating bee-friendly spaces in our urban environment. There were foraging walks and Chelsea Fringe in Bristol The of Plenty talks, along with willow weaving workshops and florally inspired painting sessions in the digest: In the Jardins de Cocagne Bristol 2015There Lab were Space lots of edible – hopefully installations something and growing related for everyone. events in this Many year’s thanksChelsea Fringe to all in those who Bristol including; a ‘honeycomb meadow’ in the Millennium Square and a ‘pickup pollinators’ truck the jobless and homeless find self- volunteeredparked and alongside helped At Bristol to make to illustrate it such the importancea success. of creating bee-friendly spaces in our urban environment. There were foraging walks and talks, along with willow weaving workshops and confidence and support in creating a www.chelseafringebristol.co.uk/florally inspired painting sessions in the Bristol 2015 Lab Space - hopefully something for future. everyone. Many thanks to all those who volunteered and helped to make it such a success. http://yardfarmers.us/the-gardens- of-plenty/

An Ecological Look at Vegetable Systems digest: What does the science of ecology suggest about how we might best grow vegetable plants, and how do different growing systems support ecological insights or work against them? Fighting against the ecological tendencies of a plant makes extra work for the and causes the plants to grow less well than they otherwise would.

www.resilience.org/ stories/2015-06-02/an-ecological- look-at-vegetable-gardening- systems

Hacking it out at the farm digest: Defra’s 2013 report, Future of Farming Review, details a vast array of barriers faced by new entrants to farming, and highlights the shocking figure that only 8% of British farmers are first generation. In the United States, a different phenomenon is occurring: the arrival of the Greenhorns.

http://sustainablefoodtrust.org/ articles/hacking-it-out-at-the-farm/

2 bristol’s local food update · july–august 2015 Bristol schools share their love for growing during 15 Big Picnics Glyn Owen

Over 10 days in June, 15 amazing ‘Big Windmill Hill City Farm (www. Picnics’ have taken place across Bristol, windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk/), a brilliant an initiative driven by the Food for Life farm in the centre of Bristol with pigs, Partnership (FFLP) Bristol Programme sheep and goats, started celebrations Manager Glyn Owen and delivered by off last Wednesday, will a carousel of local providers who have generously activities, running from 8.30am until given up their time. At each picnic, 3.30pm. Jo Ingleby (recently crowned BBC taking place during Bristol Big Green Food & Farming Cook of the Year) and Chef Week (http://biggreenweek.com/), up at Redcliffe Nursery & Children’s Centre to 30 pupils per school brought along (www.redcliffechildrenscentre.co.uk/) a food plant they had grown to swap cooked pizzas, using the farm’s cob with another school, and enjoyed an oven in the outdoor kitchen. Bill a local array of special workshops and cookery musician sang farm related songs with demonstrations around the theme of children around the pond and Julie led a sustainable food. gardening and growing session, with each child taking home a planted seed. Linking in to Bristol being European Green Capital 2015 (http://bristolgreencapital. Ashton Vale Primary (http:// org/) and FFLP being commissioned ashtonvaleprimary.weebly.com/), West Town School: Lewis the chef by Bristol Healthy Schools (www. a silver school with a great food culture, bristolhealthyschools.org.uk/), Glyn hosted artisan baker Mark’s Bread Charlton Manor Primary (www.bristolmet. wanted to encourage children and families (www.marksbread.co.uk/), who bristol.sch.uk/), who was keen to share to get growing. He said, made bread with the children. best practice and learn from Bristol Bristol City Community Trust (www. “I’m really excited with how well-received schools. bristolcitycommunitytrust.org.uk/) led the picnics have been! This project is a sports workshop based on how food There were also picnics at Cheddar Grove journey; from the children planting seeds, helps our bodies and a volunteer from Primary School, Waycroft Primary School, to caring for and nurturing the plants, Bristol Green Capital led an eco workshop. Air Balloon Hill Primary School, Bristol to enjoying the picnics and now most All children visited the local allotments Orchard School, West Town Lane School, importantly, its legacy. Seeing hundreds throughout the day. Henbury School, Bristol Metropolitan of children walking around Bristol carrying Academy, St Werburghs Primary, Hill Crest plants has been amazing and I have loved FFLP’s Chloe Blackmore attended Primary School, Bristol Free School and every minute of this”. Oasis Academy Longcross’ (www. Elmlea Junior School. oasisacademylongcross.org/) Big Picnic With so much taking place, here is just a and here’s her account in her own words. Thank you again to all the suppliers tiny snapshot of what happened at some and businesses who gave their time, of the picnics: “It was fab! Children took part in whilst some were funded by Green workshops put on by City of Bristol College Capital funding distributed via Bristol’s and ‘What happens next’, learning all Neighbourhood Partnerships. about the food cycle and the importance of eating local food. We were then treated Do look at our photos on Facebook and to some wonderful presentations – listen to Bristol Green Capital’s report of sustainability haikus (short poems!) and the event, with audio from our very own a whole class performance demonstrating Glyn Owen! the importance of Reducing, Reusing and www.bristol2015.co.uk/news/big- Recycling. But the plant swap was the picnic/ biggest highlight – the children were so pleased with their new pumpkin, carrot, www.facebook.com/FFLPartnership rosemary and beetroot plants and eager to get back to school to look after them!” We were delighted to be joined by Kerry McCarthy MP (www.kerrymccarthymp. org/), Bristol East at Bristol Metropolitan Academy’s Big Picnic as well as Tim Baker, head teacher at London gold school, West Town School: Lynne the gardener

3 bristol’s local food update · july–august 2015 Local Summer Picnic Celebrate summer with fabulous Sample Menu Smoked Salmon and Creamy Cheese Sandwiches fresh-range foodie feasts Superior Smoked Salmon Slices Jenna Freeman prepack: Samways Fish Merchants Organic Old Burford Cheese: Wootton Organic Dairy Picture this. The sun is shining, you’re As delicious as it may be, meat and fish surrounded by friends and family, and needn’t stand alone as the stars of the Large Harvester Thick Sliced Loaf: that familiar barbecue permeates the air. show at your barbecues and picnics this Hobbs House Bakery We all know what this means: the long- summer. More than any other season, Chilli Cheese and Pickle Sandwiches awaited summer has officially arrived. the summer brings an abundance of Cheddar with Chilli and Apple: Times high quality and locally grown After what felt like a very long winter, Past Cheese Dairy and vegetables to enjoy. You’ll have no we’re eager to make the most of the sun, trouble sourcing your five-a-day locally Blimey Limey pickle: Timmy’s Chillies gathering for barbecues and picnics from our online store. We list summer Large Harvester Thick Sliced Loaf: under its warming rays. We’re particularly favourites such as asparagus, runner Hobbs House Bakery feeling the summer lovin’ here at fresh- beans, strawberries and raspberries from range since July and August bring with Mixed Leaf Salad Over Farm in Gloucester and tomatoes, them a whole variety of seasonal produce, Mixed Leaves: Severn Project beetroot, courgette and radishes from available for delivery into Bristol and Leigh Court Organic Farm in Bristol. The Bath from just £1. Not much can rival a Crisps Severn Project produces a variety of summer barbecue or picnic, but a summer Lightly Sea Salted Crisps: Fairfield seasonal salads grown on an incredible barbecue or picnic with food sourced fresh Farm Crisps hidden plot near Bristol’s Temple Meads. from local producers? There’s nothing Chorizo and Sun Blushed Tomato Not only does ordering this salad through quite like it. We have no qualms about Crisps: Fairfield Farm Crisps fresh-range mean you get to enjoy fresh, boasting our bountiful listings of local, local produce, but you are also supporting Drinks seasonal produce. This summer, our this community interest company, which online store offers plenty for you to feast Kids Apple and Summer Berry Drinks: works with local people recovering from your eyes (and stomachs) on. Cawston Press drug and alcohol misuse. From Chew Valley, award-winning farmer Local Summer BBQ Sample Menu Finally, we couldn’t really discuss stocking Luke Hasell offers marvellous meats, perfect Pork Spare Ribs: Blagdon Butchers up for summer festivities without talking for the barbecue. His The Story Organic Whole Large Line-Caught Mackerel: tipples. Our off licence listings are chock- produce is traditionally hung, 100% Samways Fish Merchants a-block with local ciders, beers, wines pasture fed and organic resulting in meat and other liquors to really get you in the that is tender with a delicious depth of Ultimate Burgers summer spirit (if you’ll pardon the pun). flavour. The Story Organic also sell organic Beef Mince: Blagdon Butchers Listing beers from Bristol Beer Factory, pork spare ribs, supplied to them by The Cheddar with Horseradish: Times Past Glastonbury Ales, Stroud Brewery and Community Farm. Surely a barbecue isn’t Cheese Dairy Wiper and True and ciders, wines and quite complete until you’re getting messy Organic Dry Cure Smoked Back Bacon: juices from Burrow Hill and Pennard with a good old barbecue rib? The Story Organic Organic Wines and Ciders, with fresh- Ultimate Burger 4" Brown Burger Baps: If fish is more what floats your boat, then range you really are spoilt for choice. Hobbs House Bakery you’ll be delighted to hear you can stock At prices comparative and competitive to up for your summer feasts with salmon, those of the top supermarkets, along with Tomato and Basil Salad crab and mackerel at a level of freshness fresh-range’s quick and easy-to-use online Tomatoes: Leigh Court Farm unrivalled by major supermarkets. purchase platform, getting your summer Basil: The Severn Project Sourcing these products from Samways supplies locally is easier and more Balsamic Dressing: Fish Merchants in Dorset, who work with affordable than ever. Take a look at fresh- 150 inshore day boats, ensures that your range.com and let’s hear it for summer! Potato Salad fish can be delivered from port to plate, Jersey Royal New Potatoes: Mark barbecue, or even lunchbox, in as little as www.fresh-range.com Kidner Wholesale 24 hours. Nothing fishy about that. Chives: Mark Kidner Wholesale

4 bristol’s local food update · july–august 2015 A new way to buy local food produce? Could The Food Assembly be an attractive tool to help local food buying groups in Bristol? Katie Roche

Started in the UK in 2014, The Food Assembly (8%), who aids the hosts and is Assembly aims to give communities the the service provider. tools to enable them to buy directly off their local food producers, so that we Rewarding can all create a better way to eat – where Hosting a Food Assembly is rewarding. everyone has access to the pleasure It’s a fulfilling and flexible role that of local food, and is connected to the enables you to bring fresh food to your people who make it. family, friends and neighbourhood. You get to bring together a network of There are many communities who want local people and food producers, and to buy local food, but it can be a hard resocialise the shopping experience in slog organising one on your own and the your neighbourhood. logistics can be complicated. It’s also a rewarded part-time activity. Tools The average income is £200–£400 grassroots movement to buy food directly The Food Assembly offers technology, per Host(s) per month. The bigger the from local producers”, says Katie Lyttle, support, and tools to anyone who wants Assembly, the more the Host earns. who runs a Food Assembly in Chester. to set up a local food community in their We’ve Food Assembly Hosts from all over area. It’s a fair and transparent model. “It has been so successful and has had the UK from Cornwall to Chester. The Along with The Food Assembly, two kinds a massive impact on the lives of the nearest Food Assembly to Bristol is Frome of people make an Assembly happen: producers and of the customers. Food in Somerset. Hosts and Producers. The Producers sell Assembly gave me the support to do directly to you through The Food Assembly “I love that The Food Assembly gives a similar thing in Chester! I am also online market, and are sourced locally – at some power back to the consumers and passionate about good food and the ethics an average of 28 miles. Hosts organise the the producers. I like that it celebrates the of food, I wanted to access local food weekly online shop and the local pick-up reality of food growing, production and myself, so I thought “why not do it so lots market in your area. distribution, that the food production of people can benefit.” system is not faceless,” says Lindsay Thus, there is no middleman: Members Downes, Frome’s Food Assembly Host. Join the Movement pay the food Producer directly, allowing We’re looking for communities or them to earn over 80% for their hard “I like that the food itself is given the individuals who’d like to try the The Food work (in comparison to 15–25% through opportunity to be appreciated and that it Assembly in their area. Bristol is the supermarkets). educates customers about the seasonality perfect place for a Food Assembly – you’ve of food, and it supports small producers This way everyone gets a better deal: tons of great farmers and foodmakers right and customer loyalty is built around a communities get to know each other, at your doorstep and many communities person not a brand.” farmers get a fairer price for their work, who are hungry for community food and you get locally sourced, unique Most people start a Food Assembly projects. By setting up a Food Assembly produce: the most delicious and healthy because they want to create a better where you live you’d become part of a food available! access to fresh, local food, and really care growing movement of people who are about the welfare of food producers. active about changing the food system for The Food Assembly offers a fair and the better. transparent way of buying food: our “For me it came out of a deep concern for Producers set their own price, and the the state of our food system. I have been Katie Roche service fees (16%) are fixed and well- really inspired by mum’s business back [email protected] balanced for the Host (8%) and The Food in Northern Ireland, which came out of a www.foodassembly.com

5 bristol’s local food update · july–august 2015 Read more online

Back in time: Retracing the path to diversity digest: How are some plant breeders, farmers, millers and bakers retracing the path to ancient, diverse grains that will see us eating healthier, tastier bread into the future? http://sustainablefoodtrust.org/ articles/back-in-time-retracing-the- path-to-diversity/

On the Way to Taking Root The Bristol Good Food Tour – digest: Ecodrom93 enables Roma families in the suburbs of Paris to grow their own vegetables and recent developments make a home for themselves in the community. Darran McLane http://yardfarmers.us/on-the-way- to-taking-root/ Since our last update the Bristol Good audience in line with the BGFT approach Does size matter? Measuring the Food Tour has been working behind so that people can sample what’s been impact of scale in US the scenes to build partnerships and cooked and get a taste for the simple, progress the project. The main aim fresh food. This session by BGFT features digest: Is large-scale agriculture is to form partnerships with others in the offical EDBF Queen Square video as necessarily in conflict with already working in neighbourhoods so well. sustainability? we’ve been visiting projects to see the http://sustainablefoodtrust. The project has since then held a meeting possibilities of collaborating to link to org/articles/does-size-matter- at Café Kino on 27 May for people to come existing events, not try to create new measuring-impact-of-scale-in- and learn more about the project and see initiatives when others are already agriculture/ how they can help. This approach lead to working hard in many areas. us meeting regularly on a Wednesday at Young Guatemalan Farmers Fight This approach lead to our first event at Café Kino which has enabled us to discuss For Land Rights, Local Food, and Eat Drink Bristol Fashion’s ‘Taste of Bristol approaches to partners and identify Sustainable Traditions Endangered goes green’ on Sunday 3 May at Queen stakeholders, plus meeting chefs and by Global Trade Dealse Square in the heart of the city. cooks. digest: The same forces that have The theme of the day was sustainable The project wants to work with others to driven many onto the migrant trail diets so all the demos on the Sunday were ensure it runs successfully. If you have have led to the emergence of a vegetarian and vegan. some spare time and enjoy helping with movement of young campesinos events and supporting projects please organizing to stay on their land. The Community Farm supported the day contact Darran on the details shown. We and vegboxes were donated to each www.yesmagazine.org/peace- are busy forging links with partners and cookery demo to cook with. This approach justice/guatemalan-campesinos- this takes considerable time – the aim is worked well for us and at four o’clock embrace-ancestral-farming- to develop local connections so we can we undertook a one hour slot with BBC practices-to-prevent-migration visit every neighbourhood in Bristol to Food & Farming award winner Jo Ingelby, take good food on tour with live cookery Abbey Home Farm: The ethos of and Glyn Owen, a teacher and cook, who and recipes that people can taste and sustainability together made low carbon vegan dishes in enjoy. public on the stage, while describing their digest: Profile of the organic farm approach to menus and ingredients. Please visit our Facebook and twitter near Cirencester. pages to keep abreast of what’s www.resilience.org/ The idea was to demonstrate how easy it happening. You can learn more about the stories/2015-05-01/abbey-home- is to make simple highly nutritious plant project by visiting www.bristolfoe.org.uk/ farm-the-ethos-of-sustainability based dishes in 30 minutes using produce bgft. Our Facebook page facebook.com/ donated by The Community Farm. Jo made BGFTour and Twitter @BGFTour. Please France to force big supermarkets to a Malaysian curry – a tofu and purple like our Facebook page so we can share give unsold food to charities sprouting broccoli stir fry, and Glyn made this project with a wider audience. digest: Legislation barring stores from Arabic flatbreads with celeriac and carrot spoiling and throwing away food is salad complemented with roasted seeds. www.bristolfoe.org.uk/bgft aimed at tackling epidemic of waste Compère for our ‘cook off’ was BGFT’s alongside food poverty. Darran McLane who really enjoyed the www.theguardian.com/world/2015/ show. The event went down really well, may/22/france-to-force-big- seeing just over 200 people attending. supermarkets-to-give-away-unsold- The finale saw the dishes shared by our food-to-charity

6 bristol’s local food update · july–august 2015 Read more online

Culturally Appropriate Urban Farming at GrowHaus in Denver digest: This 20,000 square foot urban farm and community education and cultural exchange center brings all-organic or locally grown food to a quaint indoor market six days a week in a region of Denver Flexitarian Bristol launched that needs it most. http://overgrowthesystem.com/ A new movement has launched in Bristol, Pete Davis from Part Time Carnivore culturally-appropriate-urban- to give a focus to the increasing trend (www.parttimecarnivore.org/), Vicki farming-at-growhaus-in-denver/ to think about what we eat and make Hird (https://twitter.com/vickihird) from better choices for a healthier and more Friends of the Earth, and entertainment 4 Proven Strategies For Gaining sustainable future. with some interesting insights from Land Access of Understory A young group of people have set up James Wheale digest: The price of land has (http://understory.co.uk/about/). flexibristol.org and are starting to make quadrupled in last 10 years, while it easier to find better and more attractive It was well reported in The Post household income has stayed the choices – working with restaurants and www.bristolpost.co.uk/New-food-trend- same. Land access is the modern caterers, food suppliers and shops. alert-Flexitariasm-grows-Bristol/story- world’s single biggest challenge for The typical British diet has become 26717128-detail/story.html. the new generation of farmers. increasingly meat dominated, but maybe http://permacultureapprentice.com/ it’s time to question that and have more You can follow Flexi Bristol at the-roadmap-to-land-access/ alternative choices on the menu. www.facebook.com/groups/flexibristol/ and https://twitter.com/flexibristol, or Urban farming is booming, but what The launch event at No1 Harbourside join the email list – you can contact them does it really yield? (www.no1harbourside.co.uk/) featured at [email protected]. short talks, delicious canapés and a great digest: The benefits of city-based crowd enjoying a summer evening. A follow-up bring-and-share evening for agriculture go far beyond nutrition. Jamie Pike (www.hamiltonhouse.org/ people who want to find out more and http://ensia.com/features/urban- jamie-pike/) from No1 Harbourside opened maybe get involved is planned on the agriculture-is-booming-but-what- the proceedings with a warm welcome, evening of Monday 6 July, details will be does-it-really-yield/ followed by contributions including posted on flexibristol.org. Act Local Documentary Trailer digest: #actlocal is a campaign asking people to act on the importance of supporting local and independent businesses.

https://vimeo.com/130200939

What will TTIP mean for food and climate? digest: Vicki Hird on the implications of the TTIP negotiations.

http://fcrn.org.uk/fcrn-blogs/vicki- hird/what-will-ttip-mean-food-and- climate

How improving your diet is good for your health and can help tackle climate change digest: This Public Health England blog discusses sustainable healthy diets and what such a diet can look like in the UK. It particularly discusses the consumption and production of meat and dairy.

https://publichealthmatters.blog. gov.uk/2015/06/15/how-improving- your-diet-is-good-for-your-health- and-can-help-tackle-climate-change/

7 bristol’s local food update · july–august 2015 Sims Hill update

Sims Hill christened its brand new packing shed with a rockin’ party over the weekend Adam Flood of the Get Growing Garden Trail. We barbecued, we earthed up potatoes, we enjoyed fine local brews, and we sang well into the evening. Thanks to everyone who What Happens Next project came and added to the fun. We are hoping that the final lime wash coat will be We have had a busy few months getting Whilst all this has been going on, our work applied soon and we can begin to use the our hands dirty in order to promote with youth clubs has been developing. shed for what it was made for, packing our food education as a way to encourage We have just finished building an edible fresh local veg to go out to our members. sustainable practices, both right now garden at Avon Club for Young People. We also led some interested people and in the future. This will be the home to the 6 week Seed around our fields and on to Celebration Programme which we The end of May saw us giving every Feed Bristol, and signed up some new will be running for the young people at primary school in Bristol free sets of seeds enthusiastic members to our project. the club. In this programme we will be and teaching resources. The book which For my part, this year’s Get Growing planting seeds, growing food, making accompanied the Seed to Celebration Garden Trail was the best yet for the Hill. meals and considering natural life-cycles. Giveaway laid out how to grow those We want to thank our new and established seeds and cook with the produce, whilst Our work towards our aims in the Bristol members for their patience and loyalty linking all activities to Maths, Science and Good Food Plan has also begun. We are over the last few months as our new English. The giveaway was a resounding committing to introduce wormeries to Head Grower Martin Campodonic has success and we have had more than 40 primary schools across Bristol. So far, got stuck in and has been discovering schools contact us to share their thanks. Easton Church of England Primary, the joys and challenges of growing on To reward the first 20 who said they would Millpond Primary and Stoke Bishop the Hill. We realise that this might seem use the seeds, we also gave out free sets Primary School are all going to be like the longest hungry gap ever with the of tools so that the schools could run the using wormeries to turn their food temperatures remaining stubbornly on the activities totally for free! The beauty of the waste into valuable nutrients for cold side, but new crops are coming out of Seed to Celebration Giveaway is that all of their growing projects. We are now the ground and our veg shares will begin the schools have different plans to use the selling these wormeries, along with to reflect that very soon. So please hang seeds, and we can’t wait to share their other gardening equipment at: www. in there! work with you at the end of the school whathappensnextproject.co.uk/shop Our Membership Recruitment Manager year. Finally, to celebrate our work at the Big Isobel Tarr has been working her socks off Picnic and the fact that it is Big Green Many of the schools using the Giveaway on organising stalls at local events (you Week, we thought we best do something are involved with the Big Picnic, which may have seen her around on St. Mark’s big too. We are offering free edible garden is Food for Life Partnership’s summer Road, St. Werburgh’s City Farm, and lots design to all schools involved with the Big event. They are bringing schools together of other places around our fair city), and Picnic. We will design an edible garden for to share food with each other, and FFLP helping swell our membership ranks. any space, and any needs. Email info@ have invited us along to help. We will be We still have room for plenty more, so whathappensnextproject.co.uk to request giving Seed to Celebration Demos at Oasis head over to http://simshill.co.uk/join/ your design by 31 July. Longcross Academy, @Bristol and Bristol if you would like to learn more. Metropolitan Academy during June. http://whathappensnextproject.co.uk/

8 bristol’s local food update · july–august 2015 Healthy City Week Bristol Call out for programme contributions

Healthy City Week Bristol: Wellbeing How to get involved that doesn’t cost the earth Although there is no funding available 12–18 October 2015 for programme contributors, there are many benefits to getting involved with the We are looking for Healthy City inaugural Healthy City Week. Bristol Green Week programme submissions from Capital Partnership will support your organisations, projects or events that organisation by: relate to the themes of health, wellbeing and sustainability. n Including your event in a central Healthy City Week programme Healthy City Week Bristol is a brand new initiative, delivered through the Bristol n Promoting your event through Green Capital Partnership, which aims e-newsletters, website and social media to inspire citizens of Bristol to achieve n Offering your organisation an online healthier lifestyles as part of a more platform for related blogs, articles and sustainable future city. resources Healthy City Week aims to promote current n Helping to manage bookings for your If you would like to organise an event initiatives and projects that are designed event if required as part of Healthy City Week, or include to help us stay well, get well and live well n Offering a stall or other opportunities to your existing project or event within the when living with ongoing conditions. promote your organisation or project at programme, please complete and return It will raise awareness of the many links related conferences & events during HCW a form to: [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as between our personal health and the n Sending you a HCW branding package to possible. Initial submissions need to be health of our environment, both locally help you promote your event as part of sent in by 15 July. and globally. the week

Vision n Helping to secure a venue if required. Download: HCW Contributors Form June We have some spaces available during 2015_Word Document Bristol Green Capital Partnership’s Health HCW Week for talks, taster sessions and and Wellbeing Action Group (http:// http://bristolgreencapital.org/wp-content/ workshops – and we will try to match bristolgreencapital.org/project_cat/ uploads/2015/06/HCW-Contributors-Form- your event with a suitable venue and health-wellbeing-ag/) has created a vision June-2015_Word-Document.docx support wherever possible. for Bristol as a sustainable city where. Download: HCW Contributors Form June We’re pleased to have so far received n All residents enjoy a physical and 2015_PDF programme contributions, ranging from natural environment that sustains http://bristolgreencapital.org/ workshops and taster sessions to talks health and well-being wp-content/uploads/2015/06/HCW- and conferences, from organisations Contributors-Form-June-2015_PDF.pdf n There is a social culture which values including: Portland Centre for Integrative well-being and personal and community Medicine, Bristol Health Hub, Happy City, resilience Pukka Herbs, Go Green, Sustrans, 500 Healthy City Week Bristol is delivered n A spectrum of public, third sector more, Netwalkingsouthwest, University by the Bristol Green Capital Partnership and commercial organisations work Hospitals Bristol, North Bristol Trust, (http://bristolgreencapital.org/) with for well-being Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group, the support of Bristol Health Partners n Integrated health services champion Community Health, Yogasara, Attic Tea, (www.bristolhealthpartners.org.uk/), in preventative medicine and whole Penny Brohn cancer care, Life Cycle, collaboration with partners at University person care Health Creation, Positive Psychology of Bristol (www.bris.ac.uk/) and University Training and Bristol Health Partners. Hospitals Bristol (www.uhbristol.nhs.uk/). n Health services provide equitable and effective treatment for illnesses as they arise n The health sector is managing its resources to minimise its environmental impact n There is a below-average gap in life- expectancy between high and low income groups

You can read the group’s full Kitchen on Prescription will be hosting Life Cycle will be holding Nature Rides – vision statement here: http:// an information seminar & launch event in which encourage the over-55s and those bristolgreencapital.org/bgcp-health- HCW – part of a day of activities with the experiencing mental health issues to get wellbeing-group-vision-statement/ Portland Centre for Integrative Medicine out into nature on a bicycle

9 bristol’s local food update · july–august 2015 More local food from our Green Belt Sophie Spencer

This summer, CPRE Avonside are running a campaign to encourage more local food to be supplied from the Avon Green Belt to the cities of Bristol and Bath. These two cities are fortunate to be surrounded by one of only 14 Green Belts in England. This is part of a 60 year old ecological network that provides breathing space for people and for nature. They are part of our local heritage and identity. Green Belts give us an ideal opportunity to tackle the huge challenges of climate change, providing space for trees and undeveloped land that can reduce the effect of the heat generated by our cities. They provide a space to run and play, an escape from the city, and beautiful views for everyone to enjoy. They also give us an opportunity to use valuable farmland to grow and supply good food to the local population. Farms and farmers are crucial to the health © cpre/terry rook of the countryside and the Green Belt. They help maintain hedgerows, pastures, The Green Belt, as a resource for everyone, woods and meadows that make up the is constantly under threat from increasing unique character of our countryside. As pressure on land for roads, housing and our food travels ever greater distances, we airport expansion. Over 800 hectares a are losing our connection with the people year is lost to new developments. This is who farmed our food and the kind of not the time to reduce our green space landscape it comes from. around towns and cities, but to use it better. CPRE Avonside wants to see more food from the Avon Green Belt supplied directly CPRE research shows that three quarters to the cities of Bristol and Bath. This will of the population (79%) would like to see support: more trees and food grown in the areas n Local farmers around towns and cities. Green Belt land is ideally placed to do this – providing n Local economy local produce which in turn reduces n Local businesses, shops and food miles, and ensures no one is too infrastructure far from their local countryside. 85% n Local manufacturers, and of the public in the South West agreed n Thriving local high streets that they would buy food known to have been grown or produced by farmers in Every one of us can support local food the Green Belt local to them, rather than through our shopping choices, using buy food produced elsewhere. (For more worked in partnership with many groups, local shops and asking questions about information see the CPRE/Natural England including the Blue Finger Alliance to where food comes from and how it is report, Green Belts, a greener future, 2010. try and protect an important piece of produced. CPRE have developed a toolkit Free to download at: www.cpre.org.uk/ Green Belt land in the Northern fringes called to help Mapping Local Food Webs resources/housing-and-planning/green- of Bristol from road development. This identify the importance of the connections belts/item/1956-green-belts-a-greener- land, also some of our country’s very rare between retailers and consumers. It can future) high quality agricultural land, is ideal for help to gather evidence to demonstrate growing food to feed a city. the value of local food networks, as CPRE volunteers work constantly to well as identifying where they might protect this highly valued space from Please visit our website to join our need strengthening. This is available to inappropriate development. We advocate campaign and find out more about our download, for free, at our national website a ‘brownfield first policy’ to encourage work locally. at: www.cpre.org.uk/resources/farming- necessary new development to be located Sophie Spencer, Director, CPRE Avonside and-food/local-foods/item/3076- within our towns and cities. This also www.cpreavonside.org.uk mapping-local-food-webs-toolkit helps to keep them thriving. We have

10 bristol’s local food update · july–august 2015 Tyntesfield Kitchen Garden Pete Hall

Although Tyntesfield is well known for walled kitchen garden had been in We are not certified organic, but try to use its stunning Victorian Gothic mansion, continuous cultivation for at least 150 as few chemicals as possible. Liquid feeds it is also home to a kitchen garden which years. The National Trust acquired the are made using nettles and comfrey and supplies produce to visitors, as well as estate in 2002 and has reconnected with organic cow manure is used to improve the Cow Barn restaurant. This walled the estate’s food producing past. the soil. Rainwater is harvested from garden forms part of an extremely the glasshouses and stored in 2 large Our produce productive part of the estate, which Victorian underground tanks and is used also includes glasshouses, cold frames, The kitchen garden walls provide a micro for irrigation in the garden. a cut , orangery, and a climate and give protection to a wide small walled flower garden. variety of fruit and vegetables. We grow Our people both heritage and modern varieties of The entire outdoor estate is looked after by History produce for display and education. Our four full-time plus one part-time, A square enclosure is shown on the 1837 produce table, where visitors can give and over 30 volunteers come in every week Tithe Map which was probably the kitchen a donation for fruit and vegetables, has to help with practical gardening work. garden associated with the Georgian become an important outlet for about two The future house known as ‘Tyntes Place’. This part thirds of what we grow. The rest is used at of the garden was later redesigned by the Tyntesfield’s Cow Barn Restaurant along We have begun to repair and re-point with other locally sourced ingredients. architect Walter Cave, for the head of the the kitchen garden walls, and intend Currently we have a kitchen garden second generation of the Gibbs family, to rebuild the cold frames and install asparagus and brie tart and many of the Antony, and was completed for Queen an eco-friendly heating system for the herbs and salad leaves are Tyntesfield Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. The glasshouses. We have also begun to plant grown. In the next few weeks you can grand orangery forms the centrepiece of a large orchard and hope to rebuild the also expect to see our artichokes on the wooden glasshouse, the remains of which an ornamental and productive garden, menu. The donations combined with the stretch along the whole length of the outer built in the classical style. restaurant help us to generate £12,000 a southern wall. By the time Tyntesfield’s last private year, which goes towards the running of www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield/ owner, Lord Wraxall died in 2001, the the garden.

11 bristol’s local food update · july–august 2015 Following the Plot no.26 Keith Cowling

High Summer at last and all the ‘exotic’ non-hardy garden vegetables have now been growing strongly for a month. On the plot the first tomatoes are only days away. Like all plants, they need light and warmth, air and nutrients, each of which can be a growth-limiting factor at different times of the year. For the next couple of months however, the overriding concern for allotmenteers will be water. Access to a water supply is a normal part of a plot tenancy, but as water is expensive, this doesn’t usually permit using a hose straight on to crops. This means we all have to water by hand, which can take up great chunks of the evening in the dry periods of a climate-change summer. As we will all be struggling to keep our treasured crops from wilting and parching for a while therefore, it’s worth considering what we are trying to achieve with our watering efforts and how to put our limited supplies of water (and time) to best use. In fact, there has been lots soil, thus improving the tilth, workability, growth will result in an increase in stem of research on the water requirements of aeration and of course the water-holding and leaf production without increasing vegetable crops and the answers are not capacity. This is the main long-term yield. Similarly, watering root crops as obvious as we might think. strategy for reducing the need for summer increases their leaf growth without any watering. But there are a number of more corresponding increase in root size – and On a hot sunny day, any crop which fully immediate approaches to use during hot after a dry spell may cause splitting. On covers the ground will transpire about weather. the other hand, the edible parts of leaf 5 litres of water per square metre. This is crops like cabbage and lettuce, which being pumped through the plants from the For a start, it’s helpful to understand the grow continuously from seedling to ground water to drive photosynthesis and implications of competition for water harvest, have a crop yield proportional to transpiration, help roots absorb nutrients between plants. At tighter spacings, the total amount of water they receive. and also to keep them cool. This water is vegetable crops require more water as the drawn from the available reservoir held amount of transpiration per square metre Main crop potatoes are a very very thirsty in the pore spaces between the mineral will be greater. So wider spacings reduce crop but have a particularly high water particles in the soil and in the surface film the watering requirement. This is also true requirement as tubers start to form at the around the particles themselves. As the for competition with weeds, so all thirsty ‘marble’ stage, which generally coincides soil water content drops the pore spaces crops should be kept carefully weeded with flowering. Watering increases yield in empty and the surface tension in the in dry periods. Evaporation from the soil earlies, but delays maturity, so the ‘early’ particle films makes it harder and harder surface can be reduced by mulching, earlies should be watered sparingly. for plants to absorb what is left. There is especially after rain showers or watering, Most watery crops like squashes, thus ‘available water’ and ‘unavailable and by watering into pots or pipes sunk cucumbers courgettes and celery need water’ in all soils. How much depends to a into the soil so little is wasted wetting the continuous water supplies, but tomatoes large extent on the mineral composition of surface. and sweetcorn, like legumes, need the soil. As most people know, sandy soils Although plants need some water water most to set fruit. So leave watering absorb water easily but hold very little. at all stages of their development, tomatoes until they are in flower and While clay soils absorb a lot and hold onto especially seed germination and after sweetcorn until it begins to ‘tassel’. a lot. Loams are best and can have four transplantation, they have much greater Onions grown at wide spacings with good times the available water as coarse sandy moisture requirements during transitional root systems are generally considered not soils. phases like flowering and the onset of to need much applied water, especially While there’s not much to be done fruit formation. In other phases, not all since it may harm their keeping qualities. about the texture of the soil on your plot watering supports the kind of plant growth Keith Cowling · [email protected] however, there’s a lot you can do about its we want. For example, since watering (and Ashley Vale Allotments Association structure. As all gardeners know, working rainfall) generally produces a rapid growth www.ashleyvaleallotmentsassociation. organic material into the soil helps to bind of leaves and shoots, watering peas and org/index.php its mineral particles into larger crumbs of beans during the early stages of their

12 bristol’s local food update · july–august 2015 Soil Culture: Walk and Talk for Soil

Soil Culture at create is co-curated by the CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART AND THE NATURAL WORLD and Touchstone collaborations. ‘Walk and Talk for Soil’ is one of the Soil Saturdays of Soil Culture at create, the celebration of UN International Year of Soils at Create Centre, Spike Island, BS1 6XN. The eight Soil Saturdays are all free and open from 10am onwards.

SOIL INTERDEPENDENCE DAY Saturday 4 July – Celebrating our interdependence with soil and water. Saturday 4 July. Come along between WHAT IS SOIL? Saturday 11 July – 11am and 2pm to visit the amazing Volunteer for the Hands-on soil discoveries of the living one day: Day One – Resilience Dome, Walk and Talk for Soil matter of soil with art and science-making. create soil and nature mandalas, buy Soil Culture is looking for volunteers plants grown in Bristol’s best soils, and SOIL OF BRISTOL Saturday 18 July – for Bristol’s Walk and Talk for Soil on join in soily discussion with fine cake and Walk and Talk for Soil to co-create city- 18 July between Cascade Steps and tea, the Blue Finger Alliance & Feed Bristol. wide Soil Declaration. the Create Centre. People will be Feed Bristol will be host the annual Food talking about soil, what it means to LIVING SOIL LIVING FOOD and Land Forum on 3 October. Find Feed us and what we want Bristol to do to Saturday 25 July – Taste how vital soil Bristol on Frenchay Road BS16 1HB feeds living foods for body, mind and soul. protect and use our soils well into the future. These discussions will give rise GROWING SOIL Saturday 1 August – Bristol’s Declaration for Soil to a new Bristol Declaration for Soil, Experiences and skills to care for and made by the people, for our City. It will restore living soils. ‘Walk and Talk for Soil’ is an opportunity show what we think, know, feel and to co-create a city wide Declaration for Soil WHOSE SOIL? Saturday 8 August – want for our soil, that we care about in a way that can be adopted as a model Explore soil and social justice through its future and understand how much by other cities in the UK and beyond. local and global dialogue. all life depends on it. This Declaration can help build the city’s FALLOW FIELD Saturday 15 August – resilience and become key to the 2015 As volunteers you will be like the Focus on legacy of Soil Culture at create Green Capital legacy. It can also become pollinators, sparking discussion and with reflections and conversations. part of the future land and food strategies capturing ideas and images as they in the Bristol Food Action Plan and emerge along the way. When we ART OF SOIL Saturday 22 August – connect with our Health and Wellbeing reach Create, what comes out of the Symposium on the power of art in Strategy and the West of England Walk and Talk will be captured and ecological & cultural diversity. Joint Strategic Plan (2016–2036). The the pollinators will help with this too. Declaration for Soil will be on display for You will also be like gentle stewards, Celebrate at Feed Bristol people to see and respond to throughout guiding the way, accompanying people the Soil Saturdays in July and August. along the route, and helping with the Avon Wildlife Trust’s Feed Bristol will be smooth running of the event. celebrating the launch of Soil Culture at For more information, visit This is a pioneering event on how CREATE and International Year of Soils at bluefingeralliance.org.uk or a city sees its soils. It is part of their beautiful site on the Blue Finger on www.touchstonecollaborations.com/ the collaboration between Blue Finger Alliance and Touchstone collaborations as part of Soil Culture at Create. The Soil Declaration will potentially form the basis of new policy, policy based on what people want. Come and be part of making this historic day a success. The volunteer induction will be on 6.30–8.30pm Wednesday 8 July at Roll for the Soul. Each volunteer will wear a lovely Soil Culture T-shirt. To volunteer, contact: Kate A Berry [email protected]

13 BRISTOL’S LOCAL FOOD UPDATE · JULY–AUGUST 2015 Bristol Community Beehive – Events ‘Homing of the Honeybees’ 6.30pm Thursday 2 July Grow Bristol, 16 Feeder Road BS2 0SB This Bee the Change event will form part of the Urban Food Growing Trail, coordinated by Bristol. We will talk through the basics of how to look after your bees, hive types and the general ethos of natural beekeeping. Come and get involved in a communally nutured beehive. Learn the wonders of the bee, how they can help on a journey to self-sufficiency and what we can do to help them. We will have lots of suits and gloves, however please do cover up. If you know you are allergic to bees, it might be best not to come. We can’t guarantee you won’t get stung, but we’ll do out best to prevent it. The homing of the bees is weather, and bee temperament dependant :) Make Sunday Special & Fair www.bee-the-change.org.uk On 5 July the monthly Make Sunday Special market in the centre of the city will be just a bit more special than usual. To celebrate Bristol being a Fairtrade city for Cowspiracy: 10 years the Bristol Fairtrade Network has been working with the markets team to give The Sustainability Secret the market a fair trading theme with lots of new traders coming along to demonstrate how fair trade is good trade. In addition, on that weekend, Bristol is hosting an 8pm Monday 6 July International Fair Trade Towns Conference with delegates attending from Fair Trade Cube Microplex, 4 Princess Row towns all over the world. When the conference ends on the Sunday the delegates will £5 / £4 be invited over to the market to see the best of Bristol on show. This documentary uncovers the hidden As well as lots of the usual local food traders that we know we will see stalls selling truths of one of the most destructive some of the great produce that can only be produced elsewhere in the world . When industries impacting the planet today – products/produce come from so far away it can be concerning when we don’t know the practices of the animal agriculture about the original sourcing and what the cost has been to the producer. These traders industry. It also investigates why leading will be able to reassure you, whether it is by a trusted certification or by a personal environmental organisations are too afraid relationship, that your purchase is not at the cost of someone else’s exploitation. to talk about the phenomenon.

So come and join is on 5 July (11am–5pm) in the Corn St area and Make Sunday www.cubecinema.com/programme/ Special & Fair. event/cowspiracy-the-sustainability- secret,8057/

Getting started in growing Bristol Vegans July Picnic Homeacres ‘no-dig’ garden Each Friday 10am–1pm 1–5pm 4 July, Ashton Court tour with Charles Dowding Molesworth Allotments Come along to a vegan picnic with other 2–3.30pm Sunday 12 July £1.50 a week including a lunchtime snack local vegans, whether you’re a regular Homeacres, Alhampton, Shepton Mallet GET READY… for a real taste of summer or have never been to a meetup before. BA4 6PZ GET SET… to grow some delicious food? We’re a friendly, welcoming bunch! Meet Learn how to bring ground into productive GO… to an informal gardening course near the ping-pong table at the entrance use with less weeding! The plot is a to the Mansion. Join our gardener Adam each Friday at quarter acre of fertile beds, producing Molesworth Allotments and he’ll show Contact the organiser Kate Cooke on year-round salad leaves and vegetables you how to grow FRUIT, VEGETABLES AND 07734 668 970 for local shops and restaurants. HERBS for you and your family. The tour is organisd by Somerset To book a place or for more details contact: Community Food as part of a weekend Adam or Sue on 0117 9465285 of workshops on food growing. For more details:

www.charlesdowding.co.uk/event/ guided-tour-here-july-12th-2-3-30pm/

14 bristol’s local food update · july–august 2015 … more events Odds & ends Why Garden? By Monty Don Introducing Avonmouthful! 11 am and 2.30pm Sunday 19 July Following Real Economy’s recruitment Wills conference hall, Bristol BS9 1AE of the wonderful Tasha Machin, a new £4.50 type of buying group is opening at Avonmouth Community Centre. Group “The real importance of gardening is members will be making orders on paper the empowerment that it gives people, Community Farmer Days and paying in cash, paving the way for however small or seemingly insignificant a simple face-to-face, drop-in style of 11 July: Summer Yield their gardens might be.” Monty Don ordering. 8 August: Summer Gathering The Botanic Garden is very pleased to The Community Farm, Woodbarn Farm, You can meet Tasha and the founding have renowned television presenter and Denny Lane, Chew Magna BS40 8SZ members of the group at their pop-up gardening writer, Monty Don, sharing his stall on 11am–2pm Sunday 5 July. The We hold one-day volunteer events at the passion for the pleasures and rewards of stall, like the buying group, will be Farm called Community Farmer Days. gardening in his talk ‘Why Garden?’ You sourcing fresh fruit & veg from the local These involve volunteers coming to help will have two chances to hear Monty talk, greengrocer – Bobbets in Shirehampton out in the fields. Volunteers actively firstly at 11am and secondly 2.30pm, for – at below-shop-prices (and often below participate in the work of the farm but one hour with a brief question and answer Asda prices!) these events are intended to be sociable session at the end of each lecture. and fun too. To become a member of Avonmouthful, This special lecture has been organised to call Tasha on 07944 229085 or go to: It will be great to have you along; children help celebrate Bristol’s European Green https://avonmouthful.realeconomy. are welcome too. Capital Year 2015, the 40th Anniversary of co.uk/register the founding of the Friends of the Botanic We’ll get the soup and bread in for a Garden and the 10th Anniversary of the yummy lunch (donations to cover costs, relocation of the Botanic Garden to The please) and ask you folks to bring some Wild Cocktails Holmes. goodies along to share too. Andy Hamilton local forager and author To buy tickets visit the University online If you have any questions, please email (Booze for Free, Selfsufficientish Bible & shop and register your details. You will be [email protected] or Brewing Britain) is taking his knowledge asked to add registration to your basket, call/text 07837 912 108. in a new direction – Cocktails. This has but you will not be charged for registering. taken two forms, firstly over the last Barry, our veggie Travelling to the Farm: Queries to [email protected] year he has been taking groups out for box delivery angel, has a licensed minibus or 0117 331 4906 walks around the Canal path in Bath and and he’s happy to bring 16 lucky people through Avon Gorge. He was even joined along (and take them back)! There are http://shop.bris.ac.uk/browse/category. by BBC’s food programme. To join him 16 seats available and we are extremely asp?compid=1&modid=1&catid=905 on his Bristol walk on 22 July, tickets happy to be able to offer this service free are available though Eventbrite (www. of charge. eventbrite.co.uk/e/wild-booze-walk- There will be two pick-ups in Bristol. The with-andy-hamilton-as-heard-on-bbc- Minibus will be on Anchor Rd opposite the radio-four-tickets-17110796854?aff=es2). Marriot Hotel leaving at 9.15am, then on The events always promise to be a fun the exit ramp at Temple Meads station, way to learn about the plants in our leaving at 9.30am. Leaving the farm at drinks and to meet like minded drinkers. 4pm and returning to both pick up points. Driving is not advisable.

www.bristol2015.co.uk/events/ Love Food Festival at Treefest The other form Andy’s Cocktails are community-farmer-day-summer-yield/ 29–31 August taking is another book called Wild Booze Westonbirt and hedgerow cocktails. This one is a www.bristol2015.co.uk/events/ bit different as he has moved away from community-farmer-day-summer- The South West’s much-loved local food the big mainstream publishers in favour gathering/ festival will once again be branching out of a crowd sourced approach through at this year’s Treefest event at Westonbirt, unbound (http://unbound.co.uk/books/ The National Arboretum. wild-booze-hedgerow-cocktails). This Love Food Festival will be hosting an area allows for more interaction with those at the event showcasing the South West’s who will buy his book as he is writing best independent food producers. This it. There are even chances to have a will include exciting street food as well as cocktail named after yourself, your very an educational children’s area, local bar, own booze walk or a personalised bottle music and an area for food lovers to relax. of Vermouth. But without the pledges the book will remain unwritten so if you www.lovefoodfestival.com/treefest- want to help it will be much appreciated event.html by Andy.

15 bristol’s local food update · july–august 2015 Courses Course directory Vegan Design Looking for training in something a Urban Shift. Transforming bit more specialised, and prepared to our Towns and Cities with Certificate Course travel further afield? Try some of the Permaculture 11–15 July (5 days) & 8–12 Aug (5 days) following course providers: Brookend, 5 miles from Glastonbury Saturday 11–Wednesday 15 July 2015 General sustainability, permaculture £550 for 10 day course 9.30am to 8pm including meal breaks & low impact living Various locations around Bristol, mainly 3 x 50% subsidised places & 2 x expenses The Low Impact Living initiative has based in St Werburghs only places, on a first come first served a comprehensive directory of courses Cost: £435 organisations, £335 waged, basis. Please enquire for more details. and resources £235 concession. Includes lunch and The course will be covering universal www.lowimpact.org dinner and handouts. permaculture ethics, principles and Montkon Wyld, Elsdon’s Lane, 5 days of learning and discovery design methods, however please note Charmouth, Bridport, Dorset DT6 6DQ connecting the elements of community-led the focus will be on non-animal based http://monktonwyldcourt.co.uk urban sustainability using a permaculture and stock-free systems & alternatives to framework. animal exploitation. Ragmans Farm, Lydbrook, Gloucestershire GL17 9PA Explore approaches that empower us to The broad curriculum introduces all www.ragmans.co.uk meet community needs using practical aspects of regenerative design and skills, commonsense design and a living in a participatory & enlivening way Embercombe, Higher Ashton, collaboration. Experience the connection through group work, design practice, Exeter EX6 7QQ between food, community, energy and practicals & site visits. Areas of learning www.embercombe.co.uk/ economics. Understand how design include the permaculture design process, solutions can tackle cultural, political, surveying skills, soils, kitchen gardening, Gardening courses economic and social obstacles to climate & microclimate, agroforestry & The Cotswold Gardening School, sustainability. , energy, water & sewage Gossington Hall, Gossington GL2 7DN management, sustainable economics, http://cotswoldgardeningschool. An opportunity to learn from educators, bioregionalism, community organising, co.uk/ activists, innovators and entrepreneurs on systems thinking, sustainable building, the cutting edge of sustainability. Immerse energy & transport plus much more… Smallholding skills, beekeeping, yourself in Bristol’s vibrant local food butchery movement and grass-roots organisations www.feedavalon.org.uk/events/ Mumbleys Farmhouse, near and be inspired by successful pioneers permaculture-design-course/ Thornbury, South Gloucestershire from around the world. See below for BS35 3JY content. Permaculture in Schools http://mumbleysfarmhouse.co.uk/ Led by renowned practitioners: Course: Transforming School Empire Farm, Throop Road, n Robina McCurdy – Earthcare Education Grounds into Abundant Templecombe, Somerset BA8 0HR Aotearoa New Zealand Foodscapes www.empirefarm.co.uk/ n Sarah Pugh – Shift Bristol CIC 9am–5pm Thursday 16 July Westfield Farm, Limeburn Hill, n Rob Hopkins – Transition Town Totnes Gasworks Studio, St Werburgh’s, Bristol Chew Magna BS40 8QW n Tom Beale – Community Engagement Individuals – £60; Schools and http://westfield-farm.co.uk/ Trainer organisations – £100; Participants on Cookery, breadmaking, Urban Shift course – £30 n Sara Venn – Incredible Edible Bristol cheesemaking n Trevor Houghton – Sustainable Energy A one-day workshop on how to work with Abbey Home Farm, Burford Road, Researcher and Consultant children to create a nourishing school Cirencester GL7 5HF n Chris Sunderland – Bristol Pound environment for outdoor learning with www.theorganicfarmshop.co.uk Robina McCurdy – Earthcare Education If you are interested and would like Aoteraoa and Sara Venn – Incredible Lower Shaw Farm, Old Shaw Lane, to find out more, please complete Edible Bristol. Shaw, Swindon SN5 5PJ the registration form (https://docs. www.lowershawfarm.co.uk/ google.com/forms/d/1W1x4Cr- This course is for school teachers, school TBWaClzaNn0yA_SzKbd5f1B7dGO3jXh- administrators, parents, permaculture Forest gardening dATc/viewform?c=0&w=1) or email designers, gardeners within the Agroforestry Research Trust, [email protected] community, environmental educators, 46 Hunters Moon, Dartington, Totnes, co-ordinators of community organisations, Devon TQ9 6JT The course is followed by a one day landscape architects, and any adults who www.agroforestry.co.uk/ ‘Permaculture in Schools’ course with have an affinity for playing and working Robina McCurdy and Sara Venn (see with children. Edible Landscaping, opposite). Cardiff www.shiftbristol.org.uk/permaculture- www.ediblelandscaping.co.uk/ in-schools-course

16 bristol’s local food update · july–august 2015 Bristol’s Urban Food Growing: enjoying, learning, eating, Publications connecting Bristol Food Network Food waste transitions: Policies and actions to shift Prior to this report, there has been no consumption, retail and eating patterns: What works? detailed level of understanding of the collaboration towards a diversity, capacity and scale of urban food A review of the evidence of the growing in Bristol beyond the informal sustainable food system effectiveness of interventions aimed at information collected by Bristol Food shifting diets in more sustainable and Sustainable Consumption Institute Network through organising the annual healthy directions Get Growing Garden Trail. With the support The report describes how SCI’s research Food Climate Research Network of a small grant from the URBACT project, on food waste seeks to bring waste policy Bristol Food Network brought together a and research into closer dialogue with This literature review, undertaken by team of 11 people who undertook surveys contemporary social science perspectives the Food Climate Research Network and with 29 community food growing projects on consumption. Chatham House, and in association with between April and August 2014. EAT, considers what the evidence has This document draws on qualitative to say about effective ways of shifting www.bristolfoodnetwork.org/wp2/ and quantitative data, and offers an people’s consumption patterns in more wp-content/uploads/2015/07/BFN-FULL- account of household food waste, sustainable and healthy directions. report-urban-food-growing-survey- reframing the question of how to change May2015-FINAL.pdf domestic practices from one of individual As to which interventions ‘work’ – the behaviours to one of the context of report’s headline conclusions are as behaviour. follows: What do we know about the www.sci.manchester.ac.uk/sites/ n Consumption matters: sustainable state of Good Food in Bristol? default/files/5120%20SCI%20Food%20 healthy diets should be a policy priority Bristol Food Policy Council Waste%20Report%202013.pdf n Don’t leave it to the individual This report sets out the state-of-play for n Don’t leave it to industry goodwill or Good Food in Bristol, at the start of our The rising cost of a healthy enlightened self interest year as Green Capital 2015. It assembles diet: changing relative prices n Governments need to govern available baseline information that could of foods in high-income and n Schools are a promising context for provide potential measures and indicators intervention to monitor progress towards the aims set emerging economies out in the Good Food Plan for Bristol. n Composite approaches are needed Overseas Development Institute (ODI) n Time, commitment and money needs http://bristolfoodpolicycouncil.org/ Everywhere in the world the share of to be invested in developing clear what-do-we-know-about-the-state-of- the overweight and obese population and consistent metrics and reporting good-food-in-bristol/ is increasing, no more so than in the processes emerging economies of the developing n Lack of evidence is not an excuse for Bristol’s Sustainable Food world. No country has stemmed the inaction increase. Effective policies to combat Journey: Local Action Plan 2015 n A whole supply chain approach obesity have yet to be proved, if only is needed to understand the Summary because no country has yet tested a environmental and health relationship, A visual representation of Bristol’s 1-year sufficiently comprehensive set of policies. including trade-offs food action plan, published in March. www.odi.org/publications/8877-rising- n More research is (inevitably) needed Work on a 2–5 year plan is underway. cost-healthy-diet-changing-relative- http://bristolfoodpolicycouncil.org/ prices-foods-high-income-emerging- www.fcrn.org.uk/sites/default/files/ bristols-sustainable-food-journey-local- economies fcrn_chatham_house_0.pdf action-plan-2015-summary/

Some content for this newsletter is taken Forest of Avon Somerset Community Food from the following e-newsletters: http://forestofavontrust.org/ http://somersetcommunityfood.us4.list- manage.com/subscribe?u=d30d0c5033 Bristol Green Capital Partnership Garden Organic e-news 4e44b93bd28f890&id=9cadf64cc3 http://bristolgreencapital.org/ www.gardenorganic.org.uk Sustainable Food Cities Bristol Vegans Newsletter Growing Schools newsletter www.sustainablefoodcities.org/ Email: [email protected] www.growingschools.org.uk Sustainable Food Trust Eating Better Plunkett Association http://sustainablefoodtrust.org/ http://www.eating-better.org/get- www.plunkett.co.uk/whatwedo/ support-us/ involved.html newsletters.cfm Voscur Food Climate Research network Soil Association e-news www.voscur.org/news www.fcrn.org.uk (go to email sign-up) http://action.soilassociation.org/ page/s/enews

17 bristol’s local food update · july–august 2015 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 Bristol 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, Regular things the Bristol Dairying and 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] fi nger of high quality soils on the which reconnects needs, climate change, fl ood predictions, 1953 Agricultural Land Classifi cation map people and the land. It would celebrate soil quality, population densities etc. But of England 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 . 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 All are welcome to join us on meeting 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 Gloucestershire Blaise Walled Kitchen Garden save our soils for food production. lie largely derelict, the market gardens Councils working together to enable the The Avon Green Belt, an area fi ve 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”. classifi ed 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 days, including children – come anytime 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 Workdays: 10am–1pm Saturdays suitable land for food production: read to allow food communities, new food a new and regionally important symbol on and stay in touch to fi nd 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: after noon. Entrance is at the green gates Transition Bristol and Bristol Food Hub which sees the northern gateway along [email protected] Open days: 11am–3pm 1st Sunday of the between nos 37+39 Metford Rd, BS6. month Please bring sturdy footwear. Contact: Facing the front door of Blaise House, Karen at [email protected] or Bristol’s local food update go left through the until you Lewis on 07906 596460. If you didn’t receive this PDF by email, come to the entrance doors to the walled you can send a subscription request for www.sustainableredland.org.uk/metford- garden OR, go behind the house and future issues to be sent direct to you, to: road-community-orchard/ take the door next to the orangery and go [email protected] left through a little door into the garden. Subscribers will also be e-mailed once Please wear sturdy footwear, and make Royate Hill Community Orchard or twice a month with an e-update of the volunteer leader aware of your arrival. Main orchard day is the 3rd Sunday of any event information that missed the newsletter deadline. Contact: Christine Carroll · 0792 870 1369 every month. Additional/alternative day [email protected] is 1st Sunday from March to October. This issue of Bristol’s local food update Contact Mike Feingold 0776 891 5423 was compiled by Jane Stevenson and http://blaisecommunitygarden.org.uk Kristin Sponsler. if you’d like to join or visit us. Design by Jane Stevenson: Easton Community As well as the fruit, we also plant veg, www.janestevensondesign.co.uk Thursdays 11–4pm (5pm summer) and whoever shows up for workdays when Views expressed in this newsletter are there is a harvest, gets to take food home. A beautiful, green enclave nestled on the not necessarily endorsed by Bristol City Drinks available, bring snacks to share. edge of Easton. A social space for people Council. Tools and gardening gloves provided. who want to grow vegetables, drink tea toilet. Everybody welcome. Bristol Food Network and share the harvest. No experience necessary – just drop in. Email for map: www.kebelecoop.org/?page_id=28 Get involved with the Bristol Food Network – online, via Facebook or [email protected] Southmead Fruit Garden Twitter. Or explore further via our www.eastoncommunitygarden.org.uk Pinterest boards. 1st Saturday of the month 10am–3pm www.bristolfoodnetwork.org Feed Bristol You can find us behind the Whitehall on www.facebook.com/ Mons, Tues, Weds & Fridays Glencoyne Square, BS10 6DE. We’re a bristolfoodnetwork?fref=ts friendly bunch! Contact us at: Communal growing days: Volunteers @Bristolfoodnet are welcome on Mondays, Tuesdays [email protected] www.pinterest.com/bristollocalfoo/ and Wednesdays 9.30am–4pm; www.facebook.com/Southmeadfruitgarden Fridays 9.30–12pm. Drop in with workshops and events. Trinity Community Gardens Bristol Green Capital All welcome. Phone to see if we’re here on Gardening drop-in sessions Email us for details of the next Bristol Green Capital Partnership Food Action Saturday: 0117 917 7270 Last Sunday of the month 11am–5pm Group meeting. www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/people/ Learn to grow fruit, veg & herbs at the [email protected] feedbristol/feedbristol.html Trinity Gardens (BS2 0NW) throughout the growing season. Get fit, work outside, Sign-up for the Partnership newsletter: Golden Hill Community Garden meet people, gain knowledge/practical http://bristolgreencapital.org/news/ 10am–4pm Wednesdays experience and share some lovely food …and for events news during 2015: together. We always have a range of jobs to suit www.bristol2015.co.uk/ ability and preferences. Free feel to come http://3ca.org.uk/activities/garden down for a chat and a look around with no commitment to stay. You can drop in for Woodcroft Community Orchard an hour or stay all day whatever fits round Workdays 1st Saturday of the month your life or energy levels. On the edge of Nightingale Valley on www.thegoldenhillcommunitygarden.com former allotment ground at Woodcroft Road. Now planted with over 50 trees and Metford Rd Community Orchard numerous soft . Bristol’s local food update is produced 3rd Sunday of the month all year round; [email protected] by Bristol Food Network CIC, with support from Bristol City Council. 1st Sunday too between March–October http://woodcroftcommunityorchard. Bristol Food Network CIC supports, informs MRCO is a small organic orchard based on wordpress.com/ and connects individuals, community permaculture principles growing apples, www.facebook.com/ projects, organisations and businesses who share a vision to transform Bristol plums, pears, medlars, quince, gages, WoodcroftCommunityOrchard into a sustainable food city. nuts, a multitude of different currants and berries, a vine with grapes and figs, Registered office: 7 Queen Square, Bristol BS1 4JE Find a growing group near to you at: A Community Interest Company, Limited by a herb garden and a chutney veg plot. www.bristolfoodnetwork.org/local-food- Guarantee. Registered in England and Wales. map/ Registration no. 8838348.

18 bristol’s local food update · july–august 2015