Bristol’s local food update community project news · courses · publications · events january–february 2016

New Year – New Look. We’ve given our website an overdue overhaul (with more content coming soon) and spruced-up the newsletter. Your help in making things even better would be welcomed. Let us know what else you’d like to see featured: www.bristolfoodnetwork.org Please email any suggestions for content of the March–April newsletter to [email protected] by 12 February. Food Connections needs you!

Festival call-out for your event ideas. with ideas for events that they would like and wild food walks in Knowle, Blaise to run as part of the festival programme. Estate and Brandon Hill, but there are City-wide festival Food Connections is Events must help Food Connections so many more communities in Bristol returning to Bristol for its third year from achieve its goal of connecting people with and ideas to explore. Food Connections 28 April–7 May. The festival aims to bring each other and with good food in some people and good food together through is about including the whole of Bristol way. Successful event ideas will receive a programme of more than 100 events so the organisers are keen to hear from the help and support they need to sit taking place across the whole city over residents in all areas. alongside the main city centre events that nine days. will be taking place over the Bank Holiday The deadline for event idea submissions The event doesn’t follow the usual food weekend. is 20 January. To submit your idea, all you festival format; instead it encourages need to do is visit the Food Connections The festival organisers are looking and enables individuals, communities website and fill out the form. Successful for ideas that fall under six themes of and organisations to host their own event ideas will receive the support and Wellbeing, Families, Brain Food, Get events that are curated as part of the advice needed to host their event during Cooking, Land & Growing and Feasting wider programme. the festival. & Festivities. Past events have included a This year the organisers are calling for Spice Festival in Easton, a coffee rave in www.bristolfoodconnections.com/ the people of Bristol to come forward St Werburghs, a Hoedown in Bedminster event-ideas Food Route Local read more People Can Pay Their Parking Fines With Cans of Food for “Waste Not, Want Not, especially problems are huge and not going away the Hungry this Christmas” Says Bristol 2015 any time soon; latest estimates reveal digest: Kentucky are running a ‘food Food Waste Legacy Project. New text that despite the reduction in the number for fines’ scheme accepting items alert service reroutes surplus food of landfill sites in the UK, waste food for foodbanks instead of money for into bellies not bins. produces 21 million tonnes of greenhouse parking fines. gas annually, with these emissions set to Food Route Local, a ‘surplus food www.goodnewsnetwork.org/ last for decades. redistribution service’, is asking people-can-pay-parking-fines-with- independent, local food producers, who The post-Christmas period after all the cans-of-food-in-ky have yet to discover the new service, to excesses, is the perfect time for Food get in touch now to avoid excessive waste Route Local to share its positive message Study exposes gap in global and make a difference, this Christmas. and make a difference. “That’s the joy of climate policy as countries it too.” remarks Reeves. “In helping local commit to action on agriculture The idea behind Food Route Local, a independent producers and suppliers Bristol 2015 European Green Capital digest: Developing countries reduce the amount of unwanted food legacy project, is simple: can boost food production while headed for the bin, we might also be reducing greenhouse gas emissions “Whilst big food retailers are working enabling a community group to have a from agriculture, given the right with various organisations on surplus celebration they could otherwise ill afford. technologies and financial support. food projects nationally, the volumes of Surely that’s the true spirit of Christmas in www.fcrn.org.uk/research-library/ food involved generally excludes small action anyway.” study-exposes-gap-global-climate- producers and organisations. We realised Whether you are a local, independent policy-countries-commit-action- no one was bridging the local food waste food producer, supplier, grower etc. agriculture gap, enabling local food suppliers to who would like to see your surplus donate their surplus, in-date food to local go to ‘bellies not bins’ or a charitable, The Food Foundation published community organisations who could use community or other non-profit initial response to UK it.” says Jacqui Reeves of FareShare South organisation who would like to receive Government’s spending review West, who has co-developed the unique offers of free food through the Food service in partnership with community digest: The response focusses on Route Local text alert service please go to food-growing organisation Incredible the Review’s implications for food the website and follow the Sign Up links. Edible Bristol. insecurity and public health spending. www.fcrn.org.uk/research-library/ Fast forward several months and the food-foundation-published- 6 month project pilot is already underway, initial-response-uk-government’s- allowing the likes of Boston Tea Party, spending-review Pieminister and The Real Olive Company to offer their surplus produce by sending How to end Britain’s destructive a simple text message. That message addiction to food banks is then relayed to every organisation registered to receive these offers from http://foodroutelocal.org digest: Tim Lang discusses two Food Route Local. Twitter: @foodroutelocal recent reports that have been Facebook: Facebook.com/foodroutelocal published discussing food poverty and “We take a step back then, and leave the food banks in Britain. two organisations to make their pick-up FareShare South West is an https://theconversation.com/ arrangements themselves. Apart from independent franchise of the national how-to-end-britains-destructive- keeping our costs to a minimum, we hope charity, FareShare, working in and around addiction-to-food-banks-50096 doing it this way will facilitate stronger Bristol. They work with the food industry relationships all the way along the local to minimise fit-for-purpose fresh, frozen Why Osage-Orange Trees? food supply chain.” explains Sara Venn, and long-life food going to waste, and Why Here? Why Now? Incredible Edible Bristol project lead. send this food into organisations working “When 13 million people in the UK are digest: Part of an ongoing series with the most vulnerable people in the struggling to afford to eat, yet a third about the post-modern hedgerow community. of food never gets eaten, you know and its uses in the landscape. something is very wrong with it nationally.” http://faresharesouthwest.org.uk/ www.ecologicalgardening. she adds. Incredible Edible Bristol (IEB) is an net/2015/12/why-osage-orange- trees-why-here-why-now.html The recent 2-part BBC TV documentary independent, community food-growing movement in the form of a constituted Hugh’s War On Waste has been invaluable Of pigs, peasants & pastoralists for raising awareness about the food community group (unincorporated waste problem. Shocking, nonsensical association) and part of a global network digest: A redesign for British practices have been exposed all the way of Incredible Edible communities with a agriculture. through the modern food system, from broad common goal – the growing of local http://smallfarmfuture.org. farms to supermarkets to individuals to food, freely available for all. uk/?p=900 landfill. Whilst progress is being made, the http://ediblebristol.org.uk/

2 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 Refill Bristol gus hoyt

Refill Bristol is a simple and effective throw-away plastic bottles by providing Both of our Universities are vying to see campaign which everyone can join free drinking water, Refill Bristol fitted the who can get the most students engaged in with. Our objectives may be lofty bill perfectly. The team was funded, key and involved and with such a high student but the premise is simple – we want partners confirmed and a special dance retention rate in the city this can only get to make Bristol a city where drinking routine choreographed for the public better. water is free, and even without engagement and launch! 2016 will be an interesting year as other water fountains on every corner, City to Sea teamed with Go Green and cities are asking us to run Refill campaigns everyone can fill-up their water local water charity FRANK Water to elsewhere whilst we still have much work bottles wherever they are in the city. sign up Refill Stations across the city to do in Bristol. We’re excited about the The average Brit will spend around centre and in high streets further afield. prospect of Ashton Gate being active £23,000 on take-away drinks in their Wherever you see the blue sticker in cafes champions. Talks with the Airport seem to lifetime, mostly in plastic bottles. Of these and businesses then you know you’re be going well and, we need to ensure the only about 20% are ever recycled, the rest welcome to ask for a free refill of your new Arena is not only signed up to Refill end up in landfill or worse, in our oceans water bottle – no purchase necessary. Bristol but has a strategy to eliminate the where they never go away. Every piece of tonnes of single-use plastics other venues plastic ever made is still in existence and The behaviour change we’re after is that generate every year. marine plastic pollution is so rife that it’s when leaving the house in the morning, Though we won’t officially be Green even found in your ethically sourced sea- we think ‘keys, phone, wallet and water Capital in 2016, we must continue to set salt, let alone in the stomachs of seabirds bottle’. Staying hydrated is an essential an example for other UK cities. City to and the fish we are eating … part of daily life and if we can do this while cutting the city’s carbon footprint, tackling Sea has other campaigns up our sleeves. As more people move to cities and single- marine pollution and saving people For example – do you ever think of the use plastics become ever more prevalent money (the average bottled water goes damage those little plastic cotton-buds this was a problem that Bristol, as Green on sale at 100 to 1,000 mark-up) then this we use to clean our ears cause? No? Then Capital, was keen to address. is a very exciting campaign to be involved watch this space and in the meantime, before you leave the house today, Refill Bristol came about as a result of in for people and the planet. remember, ‘keys, phone, wallet and water- City to Sea discussions around how to Personally speaking, as far as a campaign bottle’. tackle marine litter here in Bristol. City goes, I can’t ever remember being in one team member of City to Sea to Sea is the vision of local TV Presenter which has received such widespread and Gus Hoyt, and project manager for the Refill Bristol and environmental campaigner Natalie positive support. Whilst out canvassing campaign Fee and is a collaboration of individuals, locations to be Refill Stations we were academics, organisations and artists with almost universally welcomed and people Find out where your nearest refill station the common goal of stopping marine got it right away and signed-up. We were is at refillablecities.com plastic pollution at source. approached by the city parks department, Follow the campaign on Twitter: The principles of Refill Bristol fitted bike shops, banks and even a Specsavers twitter.com/refillbristol perfectly with Bristol 2015’s momentous in Broadmead. This is a truly city-wide We’re eager for more stations so please public art piece, The Bristol Whales. These campaign providing coverage from do suggest venues or offer your services striking wicker whales surrounded by Avonmouth to Knowle, from Bedminster as a refill station, by emailing: 40,000 bottles were designed to inspire to Fishponds. It has been so successful [email protected] behaviour change around single-use that we exceeded our original plan for plastics; specifically bottled water. So with 100 refill stations by Christmas in our first the aim of cutting our consumption of month, so we are now aiming for 250!

3 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 read more

New ratings: Some restaurant chains failing basic seafood sustainability tests digest: The Marine Conservation Socieity have teamed up with Fish2Fork, the online guide that rates restaurants on seafood sustainability, to rate the larger restaurant chains on ingredients used for healthy city week demo the sustainability of their fish. www.mcsuk.org/what_we_do/ Fishing+for+our+future/ Fishing+for+our+future/Restauran t+chains+rated+for+seafood+susta inability

Where does your meat come from? digest: Of the 21 food chains surveyed by the Soil Association for its bearnie from wellspring sampling at healthy city week demo Out to Lunch survey of children’s food, only one could reliably tell parents where their meat comes from, and only one had higher welfare meat on the menu. Kitchen on www.soilassociation.org/ outtolunch Prescription update We need to talk about meat digest: Where does meat fit in to helen cooke talks about climate change? www.foodethicscouncil.org/blog/ 103/19/we-need-to-talk-about-meat/ We’re delighted to report that The courses focusing on childhood all’s going well with the Kitchen obesity will form part of a feasibility Green & Lean healthy & more on Prescription (KOP) project – study with the University of Bristol. We’re sustainable meals on menu for a motivational healthy-eating actively recruiting for these courses so if Sodexo course for people with health you would like further information or you problems supported by Bristol feel you could help us recruit by mailing digest: WWF are working with Green Capital 2015. out details to people, please let me know – Sodexo, one of the world’s biggest we’d be really grateful for your help. contract caterers, to pilot a range of We ran two demo events during ‘Green & Lean’ meals. Healthy City Week at Wesley Church in Several Community Food Education www.eating-better.org/blog/94/ Broadmead and received lots of positive organisations across Bristol are planning Green-Lean-healthy-more- feedback (see attached photos). We had to join together to form a Bristol KOP sustainable-meals-on-menu-for- a pumpkin theme on both days – Bearnie Partnership. We anticipate this will Sodexo.html from Wellspring and Oli Pratt both made help strengthen KOP, secure future delicious soups and Francine Russell funding and ease health professional Locavore - different views, (All About Food) tempted people off the referral pathways. If you are run broader vision street to the demo area with tasty healthy healthy eating cookery courses and flapjacks and sardine pâté. would like to get involved, please digest: Tim Lawrence takes on the contact Helen Cooke helen.cooke@ 100 mile diet in Bristol. For further details check out the blog portlandcentrehealthcare.co.uk for www.goinglocalgoinggreen.info/ written by the Love the Future team: further information. the-latest/2015/12/1/locavore- www.lovethefuture.co.uk/love-the- different-views-broader-vision future-blog/kitchen-on-prescription- healthy-food-bristol Beyond the buzzwords: We’re planning to run further pilot Edinburgh Food Studio courses in February 2016. One at ‘The digest: A cutting-edge environment People’s Kitchen’ in Hartcliffe (HHEAG) where ‘arts, sciences and food collide’ and two with a specific focus on http://sustainablefoodtrust.org/ childhood obesity at the Square Food articles/beyond-the-buzzwords- Foundation and the Greenway Centre. edinburgh-food-studio/

4 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 Bristol Good Food tour darran mcLane

The Bristol Good Food tour has been breads and a very easy to make hummus. desiccated coconut contained a special particularly busy in November and Many enjoyed the food, taking the recipes ingredient… KIDNEY BEANS! No-one December. As the year is coming to to make the dishes at home. Overall could believe these delicious snacks had its end the team made a concerted the session was the best event we had a pulse. They built snowmen, which went push to create several events to undertaken so far this year with people down a treat. “The snowman was yummy!” round off a successful year of being really liking what we are trying to deliver. Finn, aged 4 part of Green capital. On 27 November, 20 children from West “Wow! An amazing workshop – children were Our aim is to create fun and informative Town Lane Academy and Fresh Range very engaged and loved being creative with events that can help families and supported the establishment of the food. Please come again! :-)” Miss Read. first Dig and Dine programme for key individuals cook great food that is easy Future Bristol Good Food Tour events stage 2 kids at the school. Dig and Dine to make using inexpensive low carbon will include a workshop on 10 December is about getting children to understand ingredients. We work with great chefs like 2015. Flexitarian Bristol and Artful where our food comes from and how Glyn Owen from Kids and Food, and Matt Futures will run their “Feel Good Food” to cook seasonally. With Dig and Dine Williamson who has a great interest in workshop in partnership with Barnardo’s being supporters of the BGFT project it working in schools, is involved in the great in Withywood. A group of Barnardo’s was a great partnership especially with children’s “The Little Table of Delights” staff, parents and children aged 8–12 will produce being sourced locally through and is a former partner in the highly come together to prepare a healthy meal Fresh Range.This partnership, alongside successful Cotham restaurant, Flinty Red. from start to finish. They will learn basic the support from the school in providing Project partners include Fresh-Range, cooking skills; celebrate vegetables, pulses BGFT free use of a classroom, gave the an online store that brings together a and healthy eating. A positive social food children a great day learning about how wide range of local producers produce experience will be had, and fun hands to sow seeds, seasonal produce and to Bristol and Bath residents; Flexitarian on activities will empower people to feed the importance of peas and beans in Bristol a passionate group of Bristolian their bodies and minds with healthy foods our diets and in our gardens. Richard citizens, working with Friends of the that have a low environmental footprint. Osbourne MD of Fresh range said “they Earth and Eating Better to reduce meat “Getting excited now.” Sharon Krause, Lead taught me significantly more than a thing and dairy and the promotion of eating Professional, Bristol Supporting Families or two! I learnt about a vegetable I’d never more vegetables and pulses; and Reach, Service. On 18 December Matt Williamson previously heard of, discovered the trigger a non-profit organisation that seek to will be delivering a cookery event to 60 temperature at which garlic starts to grow support the people of North Bristol and children at Cotham Primary school. This from a clove, and I learnt how to teach 8 Barnardo’s in Withywood. event will see the children make simple year olds to roll flat bread on a school table meat and dairy free dishes in a fun and On 7 November at The Greenway Centre without any flour.” in Southmead, the Good Food Tour informative way. We hope from the event attended an event run in partnership On 2 December 2015 Flexitarian Bristol we will see the school undertaking more with Reach & volunteers from churches in and Artful Futures took the Bristol Good cookery events in 2016. Food Tour to Fernando’s After School North Bristol, with Glyn Owen undertaking As mentioned in previous updates, if you Club at Parson St Primary School in the cookery demo. The event was want to create the dishes that have been Bedminster. They ran their “Brilliant Bean” promoted as a ‘single parents fair’ which made at any of our events, please visit the workshop in which children aged 4–9 had mums and dads and their children Bristol Good Food Facebook page for all got hands-on, making their own healthy coming along to The Greenway Centre our recipes made by our partner chefs. snacks. Traffic Light hummus: a tasty trio which had various stalls such as free of beetroot, carrot and chickpea dips Darran McLane haircuts, bike maintenance workshops, were spread and a variety of vegetable The Bristol Good Food Tour Project Lead free family portraits and our cookery shapes were used to create colourful [email protected] · 0794 4844 838 demonstrations. The morning event saw tasty faces. Glyn produce samples of tasty, easy to www.bristolfoe.org.uk/bgft/ make dishes that were well received by Our special ‘Snowball Surprise’ recipe Facebook: facebook.com/BGFTour a diverse audience – including Glyn’s flat for fruity chocolatey truffles rolled in Twitter: @BGFTour

5 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 2016 is UN International Year of Pulses Artful Futures julian jones, bristol Miriam Mossad friends of the earth The UN has declared 2016 International Year of Pulses, ie beans, peas, lentils and Grilled stuffed tomatoes, priory other leguminous crops. This recognizes biscuits and apple crumble. These the increasing importance of these rich are the recipes I remember most, sources of quality protein in providing sharing time, food and skills with healthier and more sustainable food my grandpa in his kitchen. choices for everyone. They improving soils I run Artful Futures, which provides family and reduce fertilizer and energy inputs and children’s workshops and designs to farming, and have a massively lower creative materials and resources for hands eco footprint in terms of climate, land on learning and community engagement. and water footprints compared to protein a bowl of flour, a dollop of sunflower from animals. More from the UN Food Artful Futures’ healthy food workshops spread, a handful of oats and a sprinkle and Agriculture Organisation here: take a sensory approach, with games and of sugar can transform a child in just a www.fao.org/pulses-2016/en/ activities that connect us with our food few moments; from timid, unconfident and surroundings. Strongly believing in and hiding in plain sight, to revelling This UK press release on IYP has some the Flexitarian ethos and the importance in the sensory delights of rubbing the interesting anecdotes: http://iyp2016. of learning how to feed ourselves whilst spread into the flour with an enormous org/news/116-uk-launches-why-u-n- looking after our bodies, minds and smile. For this child, a sense of pride and international-year-of-pulses-will-have- the environment, we’ve partnered with accomplishment is served warm with pear a-positive-effect-on-our-diets Flexitarian Bristol. It’s so important to and apple crumble, and shared with their Can we find engaging ways to give enable people to empower themselves family and everyone at the workshop. Pulses more of a centre stage in the and we’re really excited to combine our “Thought today was really good. My family Food Connections festival next year, to flexitarian values with the Artful Futures’ was really enjoying it which always makes build our Green Capital legacy? Growing, playfulness, creativity and hands on me happy too.” Mum Claire cooking and eating them in and around approach to learning. We delivered Bristol? healthy food workshops as part of The Artful Futures believes in using the social Good Food Tour and we’re continuing aspect of preparing and eating food to Flexitarian Bristol has designed some to develop a programme of healthy food unite and empower especially in deprived Amazing Bean school workshops with workshops including our “Brilliant Bean” areas and areas of social isolation. We fantastic materials that can be used workshops to launch forward in to 2016, can never fully know what’s going on in for further work with children: these the United Nations year of the pulse! someone’s heart, head or home, but if should soon be available online, but we make sure they’re able to prepare a the organisers can be contacted via: “The food workshops are great for engaging healthy meal for their bellies that’s good http://flexibristol.org/ young people and their parents together as for their body, mind AND is less damaging you can share the environmental message There are some interesting ideas on to the environment, then we’re on the with current and future food shoppers. So the official IYP recipe page at: way to winning! hopefully the environmental footprint of www.pulses.org/. And of course many people’s diets will continue to be reduced.” We also run arts and craft activities to more locally-procured recipes here: Dan Milner, Flexitarian Bristol. involve, interest and inform on food www.veganrecipeclub.org.uk/ and environmental issues. If you’d like Cooking starts at home, and what better This is all most pertinent following the to join in, come together to share food, way to build confidence, spend quality landmark Paris Climate agreement, skills and smiles around the table in our time and develop essential life skills such since this needs to be followed up by families or children’s workshops we’d love as cooking, than by doing it together. action and pulses provide the major to hear from you. We’re always looking part of the solution to climate emissions “Thank you very much. I really enjoyed for partners, even if you don’t have a from the food system. This article today. Now I feel confident to cook with my kitchen, all affordable healthy ingredients provides good comparative information mum and family. Love from Gracie.” (Age 9) and equipment is provided and we can on food footprints: www.ewg.org/ find a way to work together to deliver Our workshops take a fun, creative meateatersguide/a-meat-eaters- empowering activities in your community. approach and a sense of togetherness guide-to-climate-change-health- to inspire confidence and growth in a For more info about workshops and what-you-eat-matters/climate-and- friendly family atmosphere where you feel material development feel free to contact environmental-impacts/. The main chart valued - because you are! After all, it is our [email protected] If you’d like to shows the much lower life-cycle climate differences, our individuality which makes find out more about Flexitarian Bristol emissions from beans, lentils and tofu it so great when we come together. I contact Dan Milner: [email protected] (simple protein-rich product made from believe in using togetherness as a means soya beans) compared to animal sources: Let’s can share time, food and skills to feed of tackling issues such as healthy diet and meat (yes even grass-fed!), cheese, fish our present and to sustain our future. the environment holistically. and eggs. Miriam Mossad, Artful Futures In our healthy food workshops for The 2-page declaration summarizes families everyone prepares a meal Artful: curious, inquisitive, crafty, clever, why pulses have been given special chatting, laughing, learning and chopping intriguing, ingenious, smart, skilful, adept recognition: www.un.org/en/ga/search/ together and then everyone lays the or resourceful. view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/68/231 table and eats together. It’s amazing how www.artfulfutures.com

6 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 The Food Waste Philosophy Silverwood Books present the highly River Cottage anticipated book from vegetarian chef, education practitioner and Love Food Hate Waste Ambassador Shane Jordan. Canteen Bristol The Food Waste Philosophy focuses on reducing food waste by using leftover ingredients such as banana skins for River Cottage Canteen Bristol menu is available every Saturday from curries, potato skins for chips and bread is starting the year with some 10am and head chef Charlie is ready crusts for tippable batons. In addition, it fantastic events including firm and waiting to cook up your choices. chronicles Shane’s journey into cooking favourite Veg Out, a Gluten Free https://www.rivercottage.net/canteens/ and his philosophy on food waste. evening in February and some bristol/menu/brunch Shane Jordan, also known as the ‘King of exciting supplier of the month In February the restaurant has some Food Waste’ is a Bristol-born vegetarian events. great events, including a Gluten Free chef and education practitioner. Shane The restaurant is working alongside evening on Tuesday 16 February hosted combines a mix of traditional British Surfers Against Sewage to raise by the fabulous Naomi Devlin, author of cuisine combined with the alluring cooking awareness of the plights of our seas and the new River Cottage Gluten Free book. style and spices from the Caribbean and also donating 50p from each of the new Naomi will be discussing flavour flours, from Asia. He specializes in waste reducing children’s dishes to the charity. The new sourdough bread, and busts some myths recipes from leftover food. Not only does menu has already gone down a storm about healthy eating. The three course set he work with food, but he also works with with the St John’s Primary School children, menu will showcase seasonal and locally schools and in educational settings. who along with Surfers Against Sewage sourced gluten free delights for anyone Shane works as an ambassador for food representatives, Natalie Fee from City following a gluten free diet and even waste as part of WRAP (Waste Resource To Sea and new artist in residence Liese those who don’t! Tickets are £28 which Action Programme) and their campaign Stanley helped with the press launch: includes the set menu. The evening starts Love Food Hate Waste, which is a https://www.rivercottage.net/canteens/ at 7.30pm. https://www.rivercottage.net/ government funded campaign to reduce bristol/menu/childrens-menu canteens/bristol/whats-on food waste across the UK. He has attended Veg Out is back after a festive break on For those looking to celebrate the day meetings with Bristol East MP and Shadow Tuesday 5 January and then again on of love, River Cottage Canteen is putting Secretary of State for Environment, Food Tuesday 2 February. Head Chef Charlie on a lovely 3 course set menu for £35 and Rural Affairs Kerry McCarthy on food James and his team transform the à la per person on Valentine’s Day – more waste issues in Westminster and has carte menu for the evening into a totally details, including the menu can be seen volunteered with London based charity vegetarian and vegan menu – with the here https://www.rivercottage.net/ FoodCycle in various regions in the United best locally sourced and seasonal veggies. canteens/bristol/menu/valentines-menu. Kingdom. https://www.rivercottage.net/canteens/ The restaurant also has its regular special Shane started volunteering for FoodCycle bristol/whats-on offers including Dinner for Two – £35 in Bristol and then began campaigning for Throughout January the restaurant is for 2 courses each and a bottle of wine ways the public could reduce their food helping with those healthy New Year’s and Smaller Plates 3 for £10 lunch offer. waste. This led to cooking demonstrations resolutions – increase your 5 a day with For more details and T&C’s: https://www. at the Harbourside Festival, Vegfest UK, a free, fresh juice with every main lunch rivercottage.net/canteens/bristol/menu/ and working with schools as part of Big ordered Mon–Fri throughout January. special-offers Green Week. Shane hopes to work with The fresh juices are created using locally the Bristol City Council and the Mayor There will be some exciting new sourced, seasonal fruit and vegetables to improve literature around recycling announcements on the website soon for and prepared freshly as you wait. and food waste, as well as working with supplier of the month events from Wild nurseries and schools and encouraging Enjoy those Saturday lie-ins a little more Hart Artisans during January – so keep green issues by linking “waste reducing by letting River Cottage Canteen cook an eye out: https://www.rivercottage.net/ tips” into their curriculum. your breakfast, the delicious brunch canteens/bristol/whats-on Shane’s book is available online via Amazon or silverwoodbooks.co.uk and in Bristol at Kitchens Cook shop on Whiteladies Road in Clifton, or the Better Food Company in St Werburghs. Shane says, “This book will open people’s eyes and reveal the truth behind food. In addition, it will allow people to see my journey into cooking and all the work I have done over the years. Whether you are a fan of cooking or not, this book will definitely allow you to reflect on many fascinating aspects of food that no other book have dared to discuss or highlight”. press launch of the new children’s menu naomi devlin, host for our gluten-free http://foodwastephilosophy.com with surfers against sewage dom ferris evening in february Twitter: @FoodwasteShane and artist liese stanely

7 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 The Community Farm Cultivating a better future

We are truly looking forward to co.uk/volunteering/) provides an When we seek out products to sell we the coming year at The Community opportunity to participate in the work of always look first for organic suppliers Farm. Soon to celebrate our fifth the farm, to gain experience of organic close to home, aiming to keep the anniversary, we aim to make 2016 growing and to see first-hand where your distance from field to fork as short as our best year yet. food comes from! possible. When we source food from abroad none of our products is ever There has never been a better time Striking a balance airfreighted. to order locally sourced and organic food from The Community Farm. One of the challenges of running an Salad days (www.thecommunityfarm.co.uk/boxes/ organisation like ours is tip-toeing the box_display.php) line between variety and seasonality. This winter our three large polytunnels (www.thecommunityfarm.co.uk/ are packed full of oriental salad leaves. A lot of hard work has gone into news/2015/10/season-to-taste/) So there will be plenty of tasty salad packs improving our organic box delivery in the boxes. service. We’ve refreshed the sources of Many of our customers go away on our fruit and vegetables to ensure quality, holiday in the summer months when These are mainly oriental brassica and introduced new delivery boxes to we have some of the best crops and the varieties that make ideal baby salad leaves protect the produce. In our own fields greatest abundance to offer; whereas over the winter. This year we’re trying we have been focussing on crops that in the deepest, darkest depths of winter some new varieties to add some extra we know we can grow well and that our some of our customers yearn for more diversity of tastes, colours and shapes to customers enjoy. We have also upgraded variety. the salad mix. Three of the new ones are our website to make placing an order the wonderfully named Green in Snow, To help strike a balance, our Veg Variety quick and easy. Serifon and Namenia. box blends British produce with some Welcoming people to “get on our land” from warmer climates. While our Gert We are also trying out some heritage is at the heart of our ethos; so if you’d British box provides 100% UK produce varieties of winter hardy lettuces for the like to come and get your hands dirty (much of it local) throughout the year. first time. this year we say “the more the merrier!”. (www.thecommunityfarm.co.uk/boxes/ Volunteering (www.thecommunityfarm. box_display.php?productid=6) How are we doing? Being a box scheme – and dropping off many of our boxes in the very early hours of the morning – means we don’t get a chance to meet all our customers face to face. This can make it tricky to get the feedback we need to grow and improve. Because of this we have introduced a brand new way for our customers to give us feedback. It’s called Reactn. It can be used to raise a specific concern about a box delivery, or simply to give us feedback on the box scheme. (www. thecommunityfarm.co.uk/news/2015/12/ how-are-we-doing/) With regular input from our customers, we will be able to focus on the areas we need to improve, put things right when things go wrong and do more of what we’re getting right! www.thecommunityfarm.co.uk

8 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 Grow Bristol CIC a year in the life of a growing project · Pete Whiting & Dermot O’Regan

Our work at Grow Bristol during 2015, the Green Capital year, was focused on both setting up our new urban farm and getting out there amongst the public to demonstrate and talk about our work and approach. For those not familiar with Grow Bristol, we are a small social enterprise with big plans for farming fish and greens in the city using the methods of vertical farming and aquaponics. Our aim is to produce great food all-year round, in the heart of the community where it is eaten, whilst farming in a more sustainable way. We are part of a movement that is changing the way we feed our city, using innovative agricultural methods and helping to re- connect the people of Bristol to their food.

A new kind of market garden and long weekends at the Food Connections a sustainable commercial enterprise. fish farm Festival and for our ‘Talking Tilapia’ event Meanwhile we still need to raise funds We have made great progress in at the Lab Space on the harbourside. and encourage more people and partners to work with us to achieve our plans for transforming a disused industrial site This allowed us to engage with thousands this year and for growth in future years. near Temple Meads into a productive of locals and visitors to the city to not only urban farm and space for training and show how our innovative and integrated So we have been developing a public engagement. The focus of the site growing systems actually work, but also Crowdfunding campaign with the is our ‘Grow Box’, a recycled shipping to start conversations about how our wonderful team at ‘Better Bristol’ container repurposed as an integrated approach challenges and provides more to launch in early Spring, talking to ‘controlled environment’ growing system sustainable solutions to many of the restaurants and retailers interested in producing healthy greens (like watercress, issues associated with the dominant taking our produce, and meeting with pea shoots, kale, radish leaf and micro- industrial-scale and chemical-based schools and support service providers herbs) together with a sustainable source agricultural system where most of the about creating opportunities for of protein in the form of fish (tilapia). UK’s food still comes from. Talking about educational visits and volunteering. We things like carbon and water footprints, are also working closely with a number of Developing the site and the new growing pesticide use, soil degradation, climate local colleges and universities on some system has taken a lot of time and change and depleted fish stocks can really exciting initiatives, soon to be effort (and money!), especially in the all come across as a bit heavy, but we revealed. And if the anyone reading has less glamorous challenges like finalising approach our public engagement in a an interest in getting involved with any a lease, getting planning permission positive and engaging way and usually aspect of our work either as an individual and insurance, and connecting a water get a positive reaction, especially when or organisation or business please do get supply and electricity (green energy, of we can demonstrate our innovative and in touch for a chat. course). With the help of some wonderful inspiring efforts to provide solutions. volunteers we have got there and during Finally, to mention that none of this early 2016 will open the site to the public Another major benefit of our year of would have been possible without the for visits and training courses and, getting out there has been to work with funding and support we received from following a similar model to the market some great new people, projects and Bristol 2015 during Green Capital year gardens of the past, we will be supplying businesses such as Nick Sturge and the and ongoing support from UnLtd and the fresh produce directly to the immediate team at Engine Shed (not to mention the School for Social Entrepreneurs, and of locality. thousands of innovators who descended course our partners in the Urban Growing on Venturefest while we were there), Trail project Incredible Edible Bristol Public engagement and the team and visitors at Windmill Hill (Sara Venn) and Bee the Change (Heather partnership-building City Farm, Source (Joe the fish filleter Moore), our volunteers and too many From May to September, Grow Bristol extraordinaire!), 91 Ways, Chelsea Fringe, others to mention here. Bridgwater College and many others. was ‘on the road’ with our demonstration Pete Whiting & Dermot O’Regan vertical aquaponic system dubbed the Grow Bristol CIC 2016 and beyond ‘Grow Pod’ as part of the Green Capital 07905 170346 · [email protected] project the Urban Growing Trail. We At Grow Bristol we are looking forward www.growbristol.co.uk took up six-week residencies at both to an exciting 2016 which will see us facebook/GrowBristol the Engine Shed and Windmill Hill City deliver our social and environmental Farm and either side popped up for aims and move from a pilot project into twitter/@Grow_Bristol

9 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 Soil Saturdays Soil Symposium The film Soil Saturdays: the art of connecting with soil through food was Defra shadow secretary calls on government to commissioned by Molly Scott Cato MEP to bring an artistic intervention take notice of the environment and safeguard our into the Greens and the European soils at Soil Association conference. Free Alliance conference, ‘Why Soil Matters? a European perspective’ held in Brussels in November 2015 as part On 5 November over 200 delegates Dafydd Jones spoke at the conference of UN International Year of Soils. and speakers gathered at the Soil about ‘diverse leys for healthy soil and Association’s annual Soil Symposium profit’. He farms a mixed upland farm in https://vimeo.com/146634470 in Bristol. Amongst those showing mid-west Wales. Dafydd said; “It is essential support for soil was Kerry McCarthy, we farm in a sustainable way; we must not Shadow Secretary of State for only farm for today but make sure we can Why Soil matters? A Environment, Food and Rural farm for tomorrow too.” European perspective Affairs. Mark Lloyd, CEO of the Angling Trust This Brussels conference discussed Kerry McCarthy said; “We talk about spoke on the detrimental effects that the links between soils, food valuing the quality of air and water, but not intensive farming has had on fish and security and climate, and how this the quality our soil which provides us the our waterways. “Maize is devastating our interconnectivity is dealt with at a food that we eat. Enhancing the health of rivers through erosion – I think we should European level. It involved academic our soils, one of the most precious resources largely stop growing it – it seems to have speakers and shared practical we have, is absolutely critical to our food an inordinate impact and its growth runs approaches from those working on and farming plan for the next 25 years.” contrary to the NFU who talk of food the ground. The event aimed to bring security. It is one of the main causes of a European perspective to major Themes of the conference ranged from pollution in waterways, and endangers our ongoing global debates, such as the maintaining healthy soil and growing soil fish stocks and breeding sites. discussion around sustainable food organic matter, to practical management policies and agroecology and the of grassland to improve yields and reduce “It might seem that there is no obvious link Climate Summit (COP21). View the disease. between soil structure and water quality films and presentations at: but for us it would be enormously helpful Helen Browning, chief executive of the if soil organic matter were improved. We www.greens-efa.eu/why-soil- Soil Association said; “It is International could reduce run-off, pollution, and avoid a matters-14308.html Year of Soils, so there is no better time for us return to that brown sea of soil that is now to remember that humanity depends on soil such a familiar image. To me it is clear that for its very survival. organic farming is the least impactful way Biology, Not Chemistry, “We are only just beginning to understand of farming for our environment and the Will Save Our Soil the complex biological processes that take work the Soil Association is doing should be Patrick Holden from the Sustainable place in the soil. There is more research commended.” Food Trust presents his address now being done, and we are doing our bit At the Soil Symposium the Soil Association to the Center for a Livable Future, through the Innovative Farmers network, but launched its 7 ways to improve soil focussing on the need for agriculture we must put soils at the heart of farming organic matter: to shift its focus from chemistry to policy not leave it on the periphery. We urge biology. Mainstream agriculture has government to support our call for a 20% 1. Increase the amount of plant and created a catastrophe in the making increase in soil organic matter over the next animal matter going back onto fields with regard to soil. This “soil abuse” 20 years, and to use all the opportunities 2. Encourage soil organisms – both those is a result of using petrochemical they have to secure the future of this vital that build up soil and those that release fertilizers, pesticides, and other resource. nutrients unsustainable practices in order to “One quarter of life on earth is within 3. Cover up bare soil with continuous increase crop yields. the soil and the role of farmers and plant cover www.jhsph.edu/research/centers- growers in protecting our soil cannot be 4. Bring more trees onto farmland and-institutes/johns-hopkins- underestimated. We need to feed and care 5. Reduce soil compaction from center-for-a-livable-future/news- for our soil as we aim to feed and care for machinery and livestock room/dodge_lecture/holden.html our families. This is why the Soil Association is urging the government to address our soil 6. Design crop rotations to improve soil crisis and commit to policies that will reverse health From Potato to Planet the damage that has been done to our 7. Improve soil health monitoring across arable and horticultural soils” the UK The Soil Association have made a film with Aardman Animations. As well as Many farmers are at the mercy of drastic For more information on the annual Soil helping us understand the importance soil challenges, from widespread flooding Symposium: of soil to the planet, it shines a with whole harvests being washed away, www.soilassociation.org/ spotlight on the role organic farming to droughts and infertile soil. Speakers at soilsymposium and shopping can play in protecting the Soil Symposium gave practical advice our soils. to improving soil structure, keeping the nutrients in the ground and maximising www.soilassociation.org/soilfilm yield of animals and crops.

10 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 Some extinction with your soup? Lou Ruddell, Founder and director Fin Fighters

In Bristol and every major city in of these sharks are killed for just their the UK a dish is being served that is fins. These same studies also suggest that one of the most controversial and in the last 50 years alone we have lost debated in the world, it has sparked over 90% off ALL global shark populations a divide through generations, – and in the next 20 years they could be challenged attitudes and is the gone forever. main contributor to the mass global Human society fundamentally depends extinction of a species; it is called on the health of the oceans to survive, it is shark fin soup. in our best interests therefore to protect It is pretty much exactly as it sounds – a species that protect ocean systems. The soup made from the fin of one or several loss of sharks imperils the “ecosystems viable choice, and we must all work sharks, flavoured with chicken or some services” such as oxygen production, together to support each other in coming other stock. The shark fin itself has no carbon sinking, climate and essential to this conclusion soon. flavour or nutritional value and it is used proteins from fish – all of which the In Bristol a group called Fin Fighters primarily to give substance to the dish ocean provides. To make matters even are looking to work in a positive and and added largely because over 500 years more complex, many view shark fin as a supportive way with businesses selling ago (when the dish originated in China’s cultural issue, but cultural history does shark fin; encouraging understanding and Ming dynasty) it was once seen as a royal not really come into it when we question the removal of this dish for the protection delicacy … so far so simple. the import of consuming a soup that is of species and benefit of everyone. fundamentally destroying systems 400 Because of its historical prestige, shark million years in the making. There are several businesses in Bristol fin soup is not cheap – it can easily cost selling shark fin and with your help and upwards of £50 per bowl – a fact when Whist it is true that shark fin soup a democratic voice we hope to work added to an increase in global capitalism originated in Asia (where it was traditionally positively with the Council and these and prosperity – has unfortunately helped only consumed by a very exclusive businesses to make it a thing of the ensure a steady supply of fins from those minority) to say that it forms a part of past, protecting thousands of sharks willing to slaughter sharks wherever traditional culture for the majority of and safeguarding ocean ecosystems they can find them in order to satisfy the Chinese is disingenuous, as it is only really we all depend on for the future. Get growing shark fin market. since the 80’s that fishing methods and involved today and add your voice to our finances have enabled people to consume So what’s the big deal? Does a bowl of campaign. For more information, head to this dish, and this has more to do with the soup really pose such a threat to the our website or follow us on social media. culture of money than anything else. survival of sharks? Well, yes, it does, but Lou Ruddell, Founder and director not just to sharks – the consumption What is evident here, is that our Fin Fighters of this soup is posing a threat to ocean generation is being forced to decide now ecosystems everywhere and ultimately between prioritizing either biodiversity [email protected] to our own survival. needs or cultural values; and whilst it is www.facebook.com/finfightersuk not really anyone’s fault – it is everyone’s www.twitter.com/FinFighters Here is where the issue becomes responsibility. There is clearly only one www.finfighters.org complex. Sharks are arguably one of the most important apex predators that have ever lived, surviving 5 mass extinctions and evolving over 400 million years to play a critical role in balancing food-webs and driving evolution in fish species. They are so extremely important in marine ecosystems that their decline is already having catastrophic consequences to fish stocks worldwide and is even playing a role in affecting climate change. In 2014 studies carried out by specialists labanowski

estimated that 63–273 million sharks are killed each year. Whilst some of these

animals are killed as by-catch through robbie

destructive fishing practices, two thirds ©

11 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 read more

Message from Paris: We Can Reverse Global Warming digest: The French Initiative on sequestering atmospheric carbon in soils via regenerative agricultural practices. www.commondreams.org/ views/2015/12/03/message-paris- we-can-reverse-global-warming

Los Angeles County Approves scarlet waxcap © barry batchelor olive earthtongue © barry batchelor ‘Tomato Tax Incentive’ digest: A new tax incentive in LA County could help turn abandoned lots into green spaces, create jobs Host of fungi found and contribute to food security. http://yardfarmers.us/los- angeles-county-approves-tomato- at Tyntesfield tax-incentive/ PEDDLING A NEW MODEL OF peter hall URBAN FARMING digest: Bike-riding farmers in Orlando, Florida, are helping A team of volunteer fungi experts Simon Ford, the National Trust Nature communities produce their own has identified over 1000 different Conservation adviser, said “Tyntesfield is food – on their own front lawns. species of fungi living on the a great place to see fungi. Some of them Tyntesfield estate near Bristol. only fruit every few years so the displays www.goethe.de/ins/cz/prj/fup/ tend to vary from year to year. They can en14856376.htm Working as volunteers for the National be absolutely beautiful with for instance Trust, fungi enthusiasts John and Doreen waxcaps, ranging from white, pink, yellow Farming in the face of climate Bailey, have been recording specimens to crimson. change every month for more than 10 years. digest: Farmers and the weather “We have a mixture of grassland species in have a love hate relationship. What And as part of their work they have the parkland and lawns as well as woodland other profession can you think of even identified a new fungus –Entoloma species in the undisturbed woodland which that succeeds or fails depending on madidum was spotted growing in a patch makes up part of the estate,” said Simon. “It the rain or in our case, the wind? of rough grass at the edge of a lawn. is an excellent site because of its proximity http://sustainablefoodtrust.org/ The work at Tyntesfield has provided to the Bristol Channel and also because the ground has not been enriched with fertilisers articles/farming-climate-change invaluable information on the vast range or chemicals which would have killed of species and how the wildlife and fauna them off. The irony is that the Gibbs family Shift publishes Healthy Fast live in balance on the estate. who owned Tyntesfield made their money Food report “Tyntesfield is one of the best sites for importing guano as fertiliser, but to have digest: Results from a series of fungi in the West of England. It benefits these spectacular displays, fertilisers cannot trials in London, involving mobile from having three distinct habitats; lawns, have been used at Tyntesfield for many healthy fast food outlets. parkland and woodlands, each having its decades, so perhaps the family didn’t use http://sustainablefoodcities.org/ own special variety of fungi,” said John their own products.” newsevents/news/articleid/489/ Bailey. “Autumn is, of course, a good time Peter Hall, Tyntesfield Marketing & shift-publishes-healthy-fast-food- of year to see fungi and, on a typical visit, Communications Officer report we would expect to find some of the early www.NTSouthWest.co.uk Waxcaps, a colourful species which grow on Birmingham Food Council looks the lawns, along with Puffballs, Brittlegills, www.twitter.com/NTSouthWest at a city-level response to Milkcaps and Bonnets.” www.facebook.com/NationalTrustSouthWest food insecurity digest: Is it possible to have an parrot waxcap © barry batchelor effective city-level response to the drivers of emergency food aid? And, if so, what does it look like? http://sustainablefoodcities.org/ newsevents/news/articleid/483/ birmingham-food-council-looks- at-a-city-level-response-to-food- insecurity

12 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 Hengrove & Whitchurch Community orchard takes shape Credits: The Orchard, David Thorpe, 2015. Photo © Max McClure, courtesy of Bristol City Council. Planted over 25 & 26 October 2015.

Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute; Neighbourhood Planning six websites all Jane Battersby, University of Cape Town Planning Aid England has produced a campaigners should & Matthew Thomas, GLA/London Food suite of resources on neighbourhood know about Board. planning called: ‘Putting the Pieces The New Economics Foundation pick out www.iufn.org/en/our-work/think-tank/ Together’ aimed at getting you through six places to learn lessons from global climate-change-urban-food/food- the process. struggles, to take into other campaigns. climate-change-city/ resour c es www.ourneighbourhoodplanning.org. www.neweconomics.org/blog/entry/ uk/resources/documents/29 six-websites-all-campaigners-should- Plant2Plate Campaign know-about Plant2Plate is a new WWF school eaternity app campaign that focuses on what can be The Eaternity app calculates the carbon FOOD, CLIMATE CHANGE AND done to produce and consume food in a footprint of your meal or for restaurants, THE CITY sustainable way that is not harmful to our the meals you serve. The app has a range shared planet. Download the presentations from the of carbon friendly recipes. www.wwf.org.uk/about_wwf/working_ webinar Food, Climate Change and the www.eaternity.org with_schools/green_ambassadors/ City from Tara Garnett, University of plant2platecampaign.cfm

13 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 Get Bristol Buzzing Seven Bristol organisations have joined forces to create the Get Bristol Buzzing initiative (www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/ getbristolbuzzing) to link together activities underway to help pollinating insects across the city. They are: Avon Wildlife Trust Bristol City Council Bristol Friends of the Earth Buglife South Gloucestershire Council University of Bristol University of the West of England Cidering the branches © Jamie Carstairs The initiative is underpinned by the Greater Bristol Pollinator Strategy (www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/my-wild- city/get-bristol-buzzing/greater-bristol- pollinator-strategy) which is based on Bowls full, hands full the National Pollinator Strategy. The local strategy has two aims: 1. To protect existing habitat and and pockets full too increase the amount of pollinator habitat across the Greater Bristol shannon smith urban area. 2. To raise awareness of the As the old year winds down and Wassail Horfield Organic importance of insect pollinators a new one begins, our sheds are among the public, businesses and full, and fruit bowls overflowing, Community Orchard private landowners. with the harvest of 2015. This 2–4pm Saturday 16 January 2016 year’s generous bounty has given The Greater Bristol Pollinator Strategy members of Horfield Organic n Toast the orchard for a fruitful harvest requires a city working together towards improving urban green Community Orchard fruit enough to n Bring ribbons, clouties & shining things space. Doing something to help can juice, cider, dry, chutney, cook, store to dress the trees and eat fresh for many months. be as simple as adapting planting n Homemade cakes and mulled Orchard schemes to include flowers that are Varieties such as Adams’s Pearmain, juice for sale Ashmead’s Kernel and Tydeman’s good for pollinators or installing a n Late Orange, benefit from some Make merry with Pigsty Morris bee hotel. More information on how you can help can be found on the Get time in storage to fully develop their To find the Orchard (nearest postcode Bristol Buzzing webpages. flavours and aromas. BS7 8JP) walk down the lane beside 22 Apples in store need to be regularly Kings Drive (between Bishop Road and We would like to invite your checked to remove rotters, and ensure Kellaway Avenue), turn left and it’s the first organisation to sign up to support fruit is enjoyed at its best. This weekly gate on the right. the Greater Bristol Pollinator Strategy routine is a pleasure. Winter shadow OR take the lane beside 134 Longmead and tell us what you are doing, or cloaks my north-facing garden from Avenue until you come to the last gate on planning to do, to help pollinators in October to March. Opening the shed the left. (Dogs on leads, please). Bristol. By doing so you will be joining a growing network of organisations door, I am uplifted by the cidered and Contact: Shannon Smith and individuals taking action to spiced scent of the fruits stored within. [email protected] help pollinators across the city Checking trays of fruit is like sorting 0117 373 1587 and become part of the Get Bristol through orbs of stored sunshine. Their www.community-orchard.org.uk skins, crimson, russet, green, or yellow, Buzzing initiative. clothe Yeats’s “golden apples of the sun”. HORFIELD WASSAIL (2014) Please sign up to support the strategy We down our tools to give our trees and via the online form to tell us how our selves a holiday during December – Here’s to thee, Old Apple Tree – your organisation will help achieve time to rest and simply enjoy the fruits May you bud, and may you blossom. the strategy aims. This information of our labours. This pause in activity Every twig, apples big, every bough, will be used to create a map of where replenishes energies for the coming fruit full – activities are taking place in Bristol year. Our connection to the orchard is Hands full, caps full, big bushel sacks full, and help us estimate how much of rekindled at Wassail, our first community And my pockets full too! the city can provide good homes for celebration of the year. All are welcome to Huzza! pollinators: the orchard to thank the trees, and wish www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/ for a fine and fruitful harvest in 2016. node/3846

14 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 Gin Safari, Gin Tasting Events & Wild booze Events with Andy Hamilton

The Traditional English Potato Weekend 10th Organic Producers’ drinkers presents – Gin 9am–12 noon 9 & 10 January Conference 5.30–8pm Thursday 28 January Bristol East Allotment Association, Common ground: BocaBar, Paintworks, Bristol · £30 The Pavilion, Nicholas Lane, St George, agroecology, food A short gin talk, then taste some gin, Bristol BS5 8TY · Free admission sovereignty and organic make gin cocktails and even make Bristol East Allotment Association would farming in practice your own gin. Be G-inspired. like to invite you to celebrate the start of the new growing season with a Potato 27–28 January 2016 Traditional English drinkers Weekend. Over 30 varieties of seed Novotel Bristol City Centre, Victoria presents – Cider Street, Bristol BS1 6HY potato will be on sale, at last year’s prices! 5.30–8pm Thursday 25 February Day tickets from £50 Refreshments available. BocaBar, Paintworks, Bristol · £30 ORC’s annual Organic Producers’ A Short Cider talk, taste some Bristol Potato Day Conference is the event where organic different ciders, make cider and other producers interested in cocktails. & Seed Fair ecological approaches to sustainable 10am–2pm Sunday 10 January 2016 food production come together with Gin Safari – Bristol researchers and advisers to share ideas Southville Centre, Beauley Road, 1pm Saturday 23 April on making agriculture perform better, for Southville, Bristol BS3 1QG Meet outside the Create Centre their businesses and society. Admission £1, children free. Bristol · £30 n Beans and Herbs, and Pennard Plants This year we will focus on what we have Over a two-hour stroll I’ll introduce in common as organic, biodynamic, n Café serving refreshments you to a host of new plants and permaculture, agroecology and food flavours. Giving both anecdotes n FREE talks. sovereignty movements and how we can and tips on how to make your own For details of other potato days in the communicate our shared values to deliver exquisite drinks and cocktails (gin region, go to: www.potato-days.net better food, farming and health. based and beyond). We’ll drink three www.organicresearchcentre. gin based cocktails and sample a com/?i=events.php&event_id=329 few shots from my experimental Tasty Wassail Tales at booze cabinet. You’ll return back to the Ethicurean our starting point with a fuzzy head full of boozy plant knowledge and 6.30pm 15 & 16 January 2016 a growing network: hopefully with some new friends The Ethicurean at Barley Wood Walled Therapeutic gardening too. There will also be a gin based Garden, Wrington BS40 5SA · £50 networking event surprise! Story-telling legend Martin Maudsley Friday 5 February 2016 and captivating fiddler Fiona Barrow Fernhill Farm, Cheddar Road, Gin Safari – Bath tell Wassail tales and invite magical Compton Martin, Somerset BS40 6LD 1pm Sunday 24 April music between four courses of an apple The last event inspired attendees greatly, Meet at the Independent Spirit of inspired Full Feast Menu. Martin and with… Bath and we will head along the Fiona will then guide us by flaming torch canal · £30 to our orchard where we will once again, n Knowledge and ideas sharing The perfectly picturesque city of meet the Green Man, the Robin Guardian n Learning about different service users Bath again plays host to a Gin Safari and bless the coming crop by shooting and how other projects are funded – amongst its Georgian Splendour. toast out of the Wassail tree with a this could lead to shared resources and On this walk we may even run shotgun. collaboration into Gin Austen herself. We’ll also https://theethicurean.wordpress. n Feeling connected to the wider find what plants can go in gin (and com/2015/12/05/tasty-wassail-tales- movement in horitcultural therapy other drinks), we’ll drink three gin martin-maudsley-the-story-teller-fiona- For more information and to book your based cocktails and sample a few barrow-the-fiddler-15-16-jan-2016/ place contact Sally: 0791 949 6944 shots from my experimental booze [email protected] cabinet. You’ll return back to our starting point with a fuzzy head Patchwork Group Wassail http://incredible-edible-somerset.ning. full of boozy plant knowledge and com/events/a-growing-network 2–4pm Saturday 16 January perhaps even one Jane Austen Myrtle Street orchard (behind the historical fact, (that may or may not Tesco on North Street), Bedminster be made up). There will also be a gin based surprise! Wake up the trees for the New Year! Join us for morris dancing, poetry and music, www.theotherandyhamilton. as well as some mulled cider and cakes. com/2015/11/30/gin-safari-gin- tasting-wild-booze-events-bristol- http://bedminsterpatchwork.tumblr. bath-2016/ com

15 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 Engaging people with Best practice sharing and discussion: dementia in gardening What can you do in your project to … more include more people with dementia? – activities Table top discussions 12.30–4pm Friday 18 March 2016 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ Saffron Gardens, Prospect Place, engaging-people-with-dementia- Whitehall, Bristol BS5 9FF in-gardening-activities-tickets- £63.99–£79.75 19801766617?aff=es2 A best practice sharing event aiming to give participants the knowledge, skills National Sustainable and confidence they need to successfully engage people with dementia in Schools Conference 2016 gardening activities. What’s our response- Networking lunch: Meet professionals & ability in the UK? volunteers from related projects/services 9am–5pm Wednesday 2 March 2016 Talks: Leicester City Hall £75 single delegate n Dementia awareness – Trish Caverly, Community Development Coordinator, On 27 September 2015, 193 countries resolve to Get Dementia Wellbeing Service (including the UK) signed up to the UN n How to adapt activities to be accessible Sustainable Development Goals and growing in 2016 for people with dementia – Dale pledged to achieve 17 targets to set the Cranshaw, Director, Growing Support world on a sustainable path by 2030. This Although the middle of winter year’s conference will look at the role for n Delivering Social and Therapeutic may not seem the time to be young people and educators in the UK in Horticulture (STH) sessions for people thinking about gardening, it helping to achieve these goals. is the ideal time to take on an with dementia – STH Practitioner, allotment, to give you time to Growing Support http://se-ed.co.uk/edu/nssc2016/ prepare and plan the coming year! “Oh but what about the waiting lists?” Would you like a Seed Swap in 2016? I hear you ask. Well as it happens, there are many sites around the city The small team who’ve organised Bristol Do-able workload In the past with with no waiting list, especially in the Seed Swap for the last few years are a group of about 5 of us all taking outer suburbs such as Shirehampton, stepping down in 2016. We’d like a break responsibility and being organised, we Speedwell, Henbury, Knowle or in 2016 as we are busy with other things/ have brought the event together in about Stockwood. Even in some of the more moving away from Bristol/have recently 6–7 weeks. For each person it was a popular areas, there are some very given birth etc. If you’d like a seed swap couple of hours work per week, and a bit overgrown plots that we are offering in 2016, would you consider being part of more the fortnight of the event itself, so on a ‘first come, first served basis’ at the organising team? it’s compatible with full time work/other a discounted rent if you don’t mind stuff in your life. What’s involved? The most important doing a bit of serious clearance to part of a seed swap event is bringing Budget available We’ve made a surplus get fit after all of that Christmas people together to exchange seeds. in previous years from sales of cake, indulgence! This promotes food growing, seed donations for seeds and on the door If you would like to find a plot that is diversity, self reliance, and helps prevent and we have enough money to cover the available contact Steve Clampin on domination of our food supply chain by event costs this year such as venue hire, [email protected] or large corporations. At a basic level seed speaker expenses, activity materials etc. 0117 9223972 or check out: swaps involve asking for seed donations Systems already set up We already have www.bristol.gov.uk/allotments from a range of companies (like Garden a list of companies who have given us Organic’s heritage seed library), and seeds in the past, a Facebook page and inviting gardeners and community groups email address set up for new people to to bring their own seeds to swap. You can use, example budget sheet, volunteer also have live music, tea and cake, talks, roles already written out, etc. You could films, gardening demonstrations, stalls, choose to either use these or do it your campaign information, kids activities etc. own way – it’s up to you. Bristol seed swaps have included all this and attracted 300–500 people. It can be Interested? We’re planning to have a as big or as simple as you like. meeting early in January to bring together anyone interested in taking this on, and What in it for you? Being involved in discuss if an event may be possible in something cool, meeting new people, 2016. If you fancy getting involved in learning about food growing and seeds, this really lovely event, please email getting work experience to put on your [email protected] and let CV, eating cake, having a nice time at the us know your name, email and contact event…. details. We’ll then send you a link to a last year’s bristol allotment competition winner – it could be you in 2016! doodle poll.

16 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 Courses what’s cooking at new cooking classes at hheag 2016 knowle west No.10 The People’s Kitchen, Hartcliffe Health & Environment Action Group, health association The Gatehouse Centre, Hareclive Road, Hartcliffe, BS13 9JN january & february 2016 For more information or to book your place, contact: Community Kitchen, Knowle West Alex 0117 946 5285 [email protected] Health Assocation, 49–51 Filwood Broadway, Knowle West BS4 1JL Lunch & more… ‘Figure it Out’ Weight Management Cooking and Nutrition group For more information or to book your 10.15am–2pm Wednesdays, starting place, contact Lucy: 0117 963 9559 13 January · £2 per session 1.30–3.30pm Thursdays, starting 14 January 2016 · £2 per session [email protected] If you live in BS13/14/3/4 – don’t get OR pop in to the office 49b Filwood stuck indoors or lonely, come to Lunch New Year, New You? Would you like to: Broadway (the reception entrance is just & More. We can pick you up from home n Cook for weight management. around the corner on Hartcliffe Road). an drop you back. Each week you will be n Meet others trying to lose weight able to: the Friendship Group n Have a weekly weigh in (confidential n Help to prepare and share in a and optional) 12.30–2.30pm Tuesdays delicious lunch with good company. Cooking and company for +45’s. n Learn fatless cooking methods and n Find out more about what’s going on healthy portion size. Cooking for Healthy Weight & in your neighbourhood, hear from Healthy Heart speakers on topics of interest. Cookwell Eatwell 12.30–2.30pm Thursdays No matter what your tastes, interests or 1–3pm Tuesdays, starting 16 February Hand on cooking and fresh ideas for physical ability, there is a place for you. £2 per week towards ingredients good health. n Fully equipped kitchen with facilities Nutrition & cooking courses for people for people using wheelchairs. with a diet-related condition (such as learn to cook good mood food n Get lots of support from our cooking Type 2 Diabetes; overweight or obese; 12.30–2.30pm Fridays tutor and volunteer helpers high blood pressure, etc.) and those Cooking for positive wellbeing, hands wanting to make healthy food that n Help choose menus, speakers and on cooking and top tips for a mood makes you feel GOOD! Take home what activities boosting diet. you make Cooking Connections These are all small group cooking Kitchen on Prescription 10am–1pm Thursdays, starting sessions taught in our bespoke teaching 10am–1pm Fridays, 10 week course 14 January 2016 · Free kitchen on Filwood Broadway. We use starting 19 February · £2 per session our own allotment produce wherever Open to anyone living in BS13/14/3/4. A motivational, healthy eating cookery possible. An opportunity to learn new skills course. Combining cooking skills, and share delicious food YOU MAKE! We ask for a contribution of £3.50 per nutritional advice and support. Come to building skills in the kitchen. Would you adult per session. Places must be booked cook healthy food and share a meal, in a like to: in advance. friendly environment. Would you like to: n Create healthy and nutritious food n Make changes to your diet to improve from scratch? your health? n Gain practical, safe, cookery n Learn new skills in the kitchen? experience? n Eat what you make and meet new n Increase your confidence in a working people? environment? n Gain a new qualification? If the answer is YES to any of these please get in touch! n Eat what you make and meet new people? Cooking class for Parents of If the answer is YES to any of these Young Children please get in touch to sign up. 10am–12 noon Tuesdays, starting in February 2016, date TBC £2 per session

n Would you like to learn about cooking healthy and low-cost family food? n Take home what you make n Some creche space available.

17 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 Training with … more courses Voscur

Grow Leader Course Supporting and Retaining Volunteers 12 Thursdays in 2016: 21 January, 4 & 18 February, 3, 17 & 31 March, 9.30am–12.30pm Tuesday 19 Jan 14 & 28 April, 12 & 26 May, 9 & 23 June Venue TBC Feed Bristol, Bristol BS16 1HB Full member: £50, Associate Business rate: £552 Member: £70, Non member: £85 Community projects, individuals: £450, Aim: To improve the supporting and Subsldised (limited): £300 retaining of volunteers Application deadline 15 January Objectives: At the end of the 12 full-day sessions, targeted at all levels session participants will be able to: to give the public and practitioners n Identify why people stop practical experience in community volunteering engagement, with techniques for project n Highlight the importance of Permaculture Design management and personal development. induction for volunteers All based around small scale community Course n Discuss what motivates market gardening for productive agri- Starts 9 January in Easton, Bristol volunteers ecological systems where people and Cost £355/£255/£125 sliding scale n wildlife can thrive. Recall the role and benefits of 12 Thursday evenings plus weekend supervision The aim is to support you to become an field trips and practicals n Identify how to recognise and effective facilitator in: Organic horticultre, Led by Sarah Pugh with Mike Feingold, reward volunteers wildlife gardening, Ecological land Caroline Aitkin and guest speakers. n management, Therapeutic horticulture, Reflect on whether their organisation enables volunteers An inspiring and informative exploration Holistic people care. Limited spaces to flourish of the principles and practice of available! Apply now to secure your place. Permaculture. Immerse yourself in an www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/ Who is it for? Anyone who is integrated, simple and common sense growleadercourse starting in a role that supports design approach to low-impact living, volunteers or anyone who already sustainable food production and resilient supports volunteers and would communities. Animal husbandry like to find out ways to help keep volunteers. This is also for anyone Talks, workshops, discussions and slide and care looking to set up a volunteer shows in an informal and relaxed learning 9am–2pm Saturday 6 February 2016 programme. environment. Plus practical gardening and Windmill Hill CIty Farm, Philip Street, design sessions and weekend field trips to Bedminster BS3 4EA www.supporthub.org.uk/ pioneering Permaculture plots including £35 supporting-and-retaining- Ben Law’s woodland, Lammas Eco-Village, volunteers Ourganics and Fivepenny Farm. Whether you are thinking of setting up a small holding, getting animals of your own Meet like-minded people and find out or just fancy a day finding out how to care Fund it! 2016 how you can participate in creating a for farm animals, this workshop is for you. sustainable future. 10am–4.30pm Wednesday 17 Feb Our resident farmer will teach you all you Venue TBC need to know. Email [email protected] for a Standard cost: £80 per person booking form www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk/ This event will be bursting with whats-on/courses/animal-husbandry/ www.sarah-pugh.co.uk opportunities for you to update your knowledge around income generation. BBC Food and Farming Awards Whether it be writing funding bids, On Sunday 10 January, BBC Radio 4’s The Food Programme will open nominations getting support from corporates, for the BBC Food & Farming Awards. The panel will be looking for winners in a developing your trading arm or range of categories: Best Food Producer, Best Drinks Producer, Best Food Market, finding out where and how to apply Best Local Food Retailer, Cook of The Year, Farming Hero, plus the Best Takeaway/ for grants, ‘Fund it!’ can help. Street food in the country. Get expert advice, meet directly with A new category – The Future Food award – will go to a business using cutting-edge funders, network and enjoy a great thinking and pioneering work that could influence how the UK’s food will be grown, lunch! processed and sold in the future. www.supporthub.org.uk/ Nominations can be made 10–24 January at: fundit2016 www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zxv3j

18 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 Publications

Civic Engagement in Food WRAP report: The Case for Protein System Governance: Food futures – Diversity A comparative perspective from business as usual The Carbon Trust of American and British to business unusual This report looks at the impact of some local food movements This report by the UK’s waste agency of the most popular protein-rich main Alan R Hunt · £85 WRAP, looks at a broad range of food ingredients eaten today in the UK, as well sustainability challenges for the future as some less common options that have The local food movement is one and at possible solutions. The report the potential for wider adoption. These of the most active of current civil identifies current food trends, and range from meat, fish and eggs, through engagement social movements. This provides recommendations to both to pulses, meat alternatives and insects. work presents primary evidence from business and policymakers. over 900 documents, interviews, and The key finding from the analysis is that participant observations, and provides www.fcrn.org.uk/research-library/ greater levels of protein diversity would, the first descriptive history of local food wrap-report-food-futures-–-business- in most cases, result in overall benefits movement national policy achievements usual-business-unusual to individual health, at the same time in the US, 1976–2013, and in the UK, as reducing the UK’s impacts on climate change, water use and land use. 1991–2013, together with reviews of soil degradation: both the American and British local food a major threat to humanity https://www.carbontrust.com/ movements. It provides a US-UK resources/reports/advice/the-case-for- comparative context, significantly Sustainable Food Trust protein-diversity/ updating earlier comparisons of American, British and European farm Soil degradation costs up to £7 trillion a and rural policies. year and poses a grave long-term threat Close-up on the meat to food security and the environment. we eat: consumers want https://www.routledge.com/ It reduces the ability of farmland to products/9781138888432 produce food at a time when more will honest labels be demanded of soils than ever before BEUC, European Consumers Union silent but Deadly: due to population increase and climate change. More than 95% of the food we Many meat-based foods sold across the Estimating the real climate eat depends on soil, but half (52%) of EU are not properly labelled or do not impact of agribusiness all farmland soils worldwide are already contain the correct ingredients. As a corporations degraded, largely due to inappropriate result, consumers are misinformed about farming methods and every year, 24 the meat they buy. These shortcomings Global Justice Now billion tonnes of soil is irrevocably lost to have been brought to light by 7 European consumer organisations through tests Most agribusiness companies the world’s oceans due to wind and water carried out April 2014–August 2015. underestimate their true climate change erosion. impacts because they only declare their http://sustainablefoodtrust.org/ www.beuc.eu/publications/Close- direct emissions. Many emissions are not wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Soil- up_on_the_meat_we_eat_Consumers_ direct, but arise from the end use of their degradation-Final-final.pdf want_honest_labels.pdf products or from their supply chains. www.globaljustice.org.uk/resources/ the urban farmer: Changing Climate, silent-deadly-estimating-real-climate- Changing Diets: Pathways impact-agribusiness-corporations growing food for profit on leased and borrowed land to Lower Meat Consumption EAT in Sustainia Curtis Stone · $29.95 Chatham House Reducing global meat consumption will EAT – in collaboration with Sustainia – has The Urban Farmer is a comprehensive, be critical to keeping global warming released a new publication on the global hands-on, practical manual to help below the ‘danger level’ of two degrees food system. Outlining the challenges, you learn the techniques and business Celsius, the main goal of the 2015 climate opportunities and solutions, EAT in strategies you need to make a good living negotiations in Paris, according to this Sustainia focuses on the future of food, growing high-yield, high-value crops right new report by Chatham House. health and our environment. in your own backyard (or someone else’s). www.fcrn.org.uk/research-library/ http://issuu.com/eatinitiative/docs/ https://www.newsociety.com/Books/U/ changing-climate-changing-diets- eat_in_sustainia The-Urban-Farmer pathways-lower-meat-consumption-–- new-report

19 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 Funding changes to voluntary and community sector

n Community allotments, community grants Pocket parks community gardens, orchards and city farms Voscur is supporting Bristol City grants n Spaces in the grounds of hospices and Council to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to understand and Funding round 2: April/May 2016 day centres input to their radical proposal to Funding round 3: Sept/Oct 2016 n Allotments overhaul Voluntary and Community Using the money raised through the 5p n School grounds sector grants funding. plastic bag tax, Tesco will award six grants n Community spaces on housing estates Current grants made by all the per year in each of its 428 regions. In total or residential areas different Council teams and the community grant scheme will support www.groundwork.org.uk/Sites/ departments will be combined into around 2,500 projects each year. tescocommunityscheme/Pages/large- one new fund, so your organisation Groundwork will assess all of the grants-tes WILL be affected by these changes if applications received and then provide it gets any grant funding. a shortlist of the applications received We have organised two half-day for a Tesco regional panel to agree three Sustainable Future sessions to explain the proposed successful projects to forward to a vote in Programme approach and gather your views. Tesco stores. Tesco customers will then Application deadline: 21 March 2016 vote over two weekends in their store for 2–4.30pm Tuesday 12 Jan 2016 their favourite shortlisted local project. The Sustainable Future Programme is The Park, Knowle Grants will then be awarded as follows: provided and administered by the Joseph www.voscur.org/diary/consulting- n 1st place in Tesco customer vote: Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT). draft-voluntary-and-community- sector-vcs-grants-prospectus-new- £12,000 grant Funding is available to enable approach-council’s n 2nd place: £10,000 grant organisations in the UK to develop n 3rd place: £8,000 grant and promote sustainable, low-carbon 10am–12.30pm Thursday 14 Jan alternatives to the current consumerist The Vassall Centre, Fishponds Projects that would typically receive and growth-based patterns. www.voscur.org/diary/consulting- funding include: draft-voluntary-and-community- This programme aims to support n Parks, pocket parks and urban green sector-vcs-grants-prospectus-new- charitable work on the following issues: spaces approach-council’s-0 n Better economics. n Green corridors – river and canals, The current proposal (called the n Beyond consumerism. cycle ways ‘Prospectus model’) is to offer a mix n Nature reserves, community woodland, n New voices. of four-year and two-year grants ponds and village greens More information at: with potential for reducing the n Churchyards www.jrct.org.uk/sustainable-future amount of grants in years three and four. We want to hear what you like about these proposals, what can be improved and what’s been missed? How can we ensure the application processes are balanced and fair? Some content for this newsletter is Plunkett Association The consultation on the proposed taken from the following e-newsletters: www.plunkett.co.uk/whatwedo/ new approach will run until newsletters.cfm Bristol Green Capital Partnership 15 February. Soil Association e-news http://bristolgreencapital.org/ To see the full consultation http://action.soilassociation.org/page/s/ Bristol Vegans Newsletter information and draft Prospectus enews Email: [email protected] document, go to: Somerset Community Food Eating Better http://somersetcommunityfood.us4.list- https://bristol.citizenspace.com/ http://www.eating-better.org/get- manage.com/subscribe?u=d30d0c5033 neighbourhoods/proposals-for-a- involved.html 4e44b93bd28f890&id=9cadf64cc3 new-approach-to-voluntary-and- Food Climate Research network comm Sustainable Food Cities www.fcrn.org.uk (go to email sign-up) www.sustainablefoodcities.org/ Don’t miss out! Make sure your Forest of Avon Sustainable Food Trust voice is heard! This is a unique http://forestofavontrust.org/ http://sustainablefoodtrust.org/support- opportunity to shape the future of Garden Organic e-news us/ VCS grant funding in this city. www.gardenorganic.org.uk Voscur For more information, contact Growing Schools newsletter www.voscur.org/news [email protected] www.growingschools.org.uk

20 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 Study of Green Organisations who are Odds & ends working with volunteers Bristol Green Capital and Cities of Service invite green organisations that work with Sow Wild! 2016 Fairtrade Business volunteers to take part in our study. We An appeal from Janine Griffiths-Lee Awards Open for are conducting a survey and a series of at the University of Sussex: Applications! interviews to create a baseline of where Bristol is now, in regards to its work with I am a researcher studying the effects The South West Fairtrade Business volunteers in this sector. This study is of wildflowers in allotments and urban Awards are now open for applications to mainly being carried out in December gardens upon pollinator populations. all businesses in the south west region. with additional work in the New Year Starting in the spring of 2016 I am running Now in their fourth year, the Awards (so it’s not too late to get involved in 2016). a ‘citizen science’ project, and would like reward businesses that demonstrate to get keen gardeners involved from The results of the survey will be used to commitment to using and promoting all over the UK. This is how the project create a report, available to everyone Fairtrade. They are free to enter and works: who takes part. We hope the results declare a fair and ethical business ethos will highlight some areas of potential 1. You register your interest by for all businesses that meet the criteria, development or ways in which this sector 12 February 2016 by using the link on who are rewarded with an e-logo, could be better supported in regards to the Facebook group www.facebook. certificate and seats at the Awards its work with volunteers. We hope the com/groups/SowWild/ ceremony. Winners of each category study will also help to inform strategic receive a unique trophy designed by 2. You are sent a project pack, which decisions made about the voluntary Bristol Blue Glass. includes a pack of wildflowers, sampling sector. We anticipate the results will equipment and detailed instructions. Winning a Fairtrade Business Awards be transferable to other volunteer 3. You sow the ‘Sow Wild!’ wildflower identifies your business as Fair and organisations. We expect that there will seeds in your allotment or garden in Ethical and is a great motivator to staff be lessons to be learned and shared Spring 2016. and customers. In 2015, 76 businesses through the interviews and on completion 4. You sample insects in the wildflower in the region achieved bronze, silver will consider different ways to share those patch in summer, using pan traps, and and gold Awards. There are 7 categories: across the community. send them back to us. n Best Fairtrade Office Please contact us directly at: 5. We let you know what is pollinating n Best Fairtrade Retailer – single product [email protected] your garden or allotment! n Best Fairtrade Retailer – multiple 6. You repeat the sampling in summer products Join The Crunch as an 2017. n Best Fairtrade Café or Restaurant Ambassador For more information email: n Best Fairtrade Accommodation or The Crunch is an exciting year of activities, [email protected] Conference Centre experience and discussions about our www.facebook.com/groups/SowWild/ n Best Fairtrade University or College food, our health and our planet by the n Best Fairtrade Advocate Award Wellcome Trust. For a great opportunity meet inspiring people, to build new skills The best Fairtrade Business 2016 is Real food films and have some fun, join The Crunch selected from the winners of these competition Ambassadors. We are looking for categories. The Awards Ceremony will passionate people of all ages and from Closing date: 1 March 2016 take place on Friday 11 March at the all walks of life to kick-start conversations At-Bristol Science Centre. Real Food Films are open for submission! around our food, our health and our Share your 4-minutes-or-less films on To enter the Awards go to: planet. As an Ambassador we’ll give you food, farming & sustainability, to win http://ow.ly/TC9iM free resources, connect you to amazing prizes & distribution opportunities. people from your local area, and give you For more information, contact the chance to join a dynamic network http://realfoodfilms.org Jenny Foster, Bristol and South West across the UK. Fairtrade Co-ordinator take a stand [email protected] To start you off, you can sign up to attend 07970 878337 a free event in your region (thecrunch. British City Council has given Lifecycle UK wellcome.ac.uk/get-involved/where-is-the- a number of bicycle stands to distribute crunch-happening), where you’ll meet like- free amongst community groups in Find a CSA minded people and get some fantastic Bristol. We can provide each institution Find out where your nearest community free resources to use in your community. with up to 4 bicycle stands, which can supported agriculture (CSA) farm is or The Bristol Ambassadors event is taking each park 2 bikes. The application put your own farm on our map! place on 19 March at Hamilton House. process is extremely easy, and the only Events and activities will be happening in condition is that the stands must be www.communitysupportedagriculture. 2016, but spaces are limited. Sign up to installed independently. Contact Frances org.uk/find-csa/ become an Ambassador and reserve a 0117 353 4580 · [email protected] place now go to: www.lifecycleuk.org.uk/takeastand thecrunch.wellcome.ac.uk

21 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016 Regular things

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

22 · bristol’s local food update · january–february 2016