BRISTOL FOOD NETWORK Bristol’s local food update2012 community project news · courses · publications · events january–february

If you’re one of those people who’ll start out 2012 with good intentions, then you may like to add one or two of these suggestions to your resolutions... But if you just love local food, then you may like to try them anyway!

1. I’ll shop on a high street in a part of the city that I don’t know very well. 2. I’ll try out a market or food event that I haven’t been to before 3. I’ll try some local produce that I haven’t tried before. 4. I’ll grow something new. 5. I’ll ask where my food has come from.

Please email any suggestions for content of the March–April newsletter to [email protected] by 10 February. Events, courses listings and appeals can now be updated at any time on our website www.bristolfoodnetwork.org Bristol’s urban farm? Keith Cowling Since the article I wrote on ‘Farming the suggested that some form of short term City’ in the September/October issue of agricultural use that does not involve a lot Bristol’s local food update, a very large of public and vehicular access would be Bristol’s local food update is produced (overwhelming possibly) opportunity worth considering (the first thought was by the Bristol Food Network, with support has emerged to trial urban agriculture in growing biomass, such as miscanthus!!!). from Bristol City Council. Bristol on a significant scale. As many The Bristol Food Network is an umbrella This is a huge central site of about 2.5 of you already know, Bristol City Council group, made up of individuals, hectares with little overshadowing and community projects, organisations has been facilitating discussions on a source of river water. It could be a and businesses who share a vision to what could be achieved by encouraging fantastic urban farming site given the transform Bristol into a sustainable some short term uses of a couple of right amount of human, cultural and food city. The Network connects people major empty sites in the Temple Quarter financial investment, but as with all such working on diverse food-related issues Enterprise Zone around Temple Meads – from getting more people growing, to trailed ideas, time is short to capture the station. developing healthy-eating projects; from opportunity. One missing piece of the tackling food waste, to making Bristol In the first instance, discussions have jigsaw, as my recent article highlighted, more self-sufficient. focused on the so-called ‘Plot 5’, where is any kind of social enterprise framework the temporary car park next to the station capable of marshalling the skills, labour, Subscriber prize draw is at present. It looks like a mix of short- techniques and investment required to Thanks to the National Trust at term uses based on social, entertainment, develop such a project. Tyntesfield, we can offer a prize draw for cultural, food, exhibition, performance, subscribers to this newsletter. On offer I am therefore asking for help to think etc. will be preferred here, but on the is a family day-pass for 2 adults and up through the organisational issues involved opposite side of the station is the far to 3 children, which will give free entry so that we might present a coherent and larger ‘Diesel’ site, which was where the to Tyntesfield and its lovely, productive deliverable case to Bristol CC and the HCA walled garden. ill-fated Bristol Arena was destined for. for some form of urban agricultural use This is bounded by the high-level Bath The draw will take place at the end of this site. Please contact me at keith@ of February, so if you’re not yet a Road on the south west corner and by eyehouse.info if you would be interested subscriber, then sign-up now at: the river and the railway on the other in helping to develop ideas and frame a www.bristolfoodnetwork.org/sign-up sides. Access is therefore a huge problem proposal. without major investment so it has been Bristol Independents awards On Saturday 17 December, a prize draw News presentation was made to 8 lucky people who’d nominated their favourite local food businesses in the Bristol Independents awards 2011/12. Councillor Anthony Negus officiated at the presentation, handing over prizes donated by Absolutely Cakes, the Better Food Company, Bristol Beer Factory, Scoopaway, the Tobacco Factory and Whiteladies Road Farmers Market. St Nicholas Market put together a top prize of a bumper hamper. Before! In total, 42 food businesses have been nominated as ‘favourites’ of Bristol The Lawrence Hill Community Forest Garden takes Root shoppers. Voting will continue till the end of February at: A new Bristol growing project called Edible Get Involved Futures is going to kick start 2012 by We’ll be running community work days http://bristolindependents.co.uk/ planting a community forest garden in Peel which will be fun and energizing as well Street, Lawrence Hill. Edible Futures’ aim as teaching you a lot about forest garden is to transform our urban common ground design and implementation. The January into beautiful and productive space and planting days are: this project is our first step! n Saturday 7 January Forest gardens are a great way to grow n Friday 13 January food in cities because they produce a n Saturday 21 January lot of food without requiring too much n Friday 27 January work, so for us busy urban growers are It’s free to come on a planting day but ideal! When summer comes round, Peel spaces are limited so book yourself in Street, which was a featureless green, The Portas Review: today by contacting Humphrey Lloyd will have been transformed by fruit trees, An independent review into 0770 281 0555 soft fruit bushes and swathes of weird the future of our high streets [email protected] and wonderful perennial vegetables for For the 28 key recommendations: everyone to enjoy! www.ediblefutures.org www.maryportas.com/ news/2011/12/12/my-28- Wiltshire Local Food Network launch recommendations/ Food Champions is the WIltshire Therefore, one of the key benefits of a For the full report: Wildlife Trust’s new three-year project Local Food Network would be to create a www.maryportas.com/wp-content/ for Swindon and Wiltshire, which will critical mass in the efforts being made, uploads/The_Portas_Review.pdf empower predominantly disadvantaged share what works and what doesn’t, and communities to learn about and access share ideas. Comment healthy local food. http://bristolindependents. We have therefore decided to launch the co.uk/2011/12/15/rob-hopkins-take- The teaching of horticultural skills Local Food Network: on-the-portas-review/ combined with the creation of allotments Thursday 19 January 2012 and orchards will be supplemented by www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/ Lower Moor Farm Nature Reserve a network of voluntary Food Champions dec/11/high-street-rescue-mary- (between Malmesbury and Swindon) portas?CMP=twt_gu across Wiltshire and Swindon. Friday 20 January 2012 www.telegraph.co.uk/ As part of this project, there has been an Langford Lakes Nature Reserve, near finance/newsbysector/ identified need for collaboration between Salisbury retailandconsumer/8948621/Ambitious- all parties interested in the area of Local Mary-Portas-report-aims-to-bring- Food and the establishment of a Local The agenda for the meeting will be made shoppers-back-to-high-streets.html Food Network is seen as a key role in available closer to the time but if you www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/ helping deliver this. It is clear that there would like to find out further details or dec/11/mary-portas-high-street- are already many people taking steps to book your place, please contact either management-teams?CMP=twt_gu tackle local food issues but with varying Gary Lamont or Sara Cundy on 01380 rates of success. 736080 or [email protected] http://bristolfutures.posterous.com/ the-portas-review-an-independent- www.wiltshirewildlife.org review-into

2 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012 Awards Octavia Hill Awards (UK) Deadline Monday 16 January 2012 The National Trust are looking for individuals and groups who campaign or inspire others to protect green spaces and community growing plots. These awards are to mark the centenary of the death of Octavia Hill, a Victorian social reformer who set the standard in campaigning for green places. Nominations are accepted for the Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards local winners following categories: Bristol Beer Factory Georges Brewery took it over in 1933 and n Growing Hero An independent brewery, based in Bristol, the building stood empty since then. n Natural Hero has won one of the UK’s top food and Initially unsure about what to do with it, n Inspirational Hero drink awards, recognising not just its George came up with the idea of returning n The People’s Campaigner beers but its role in regenerating the city. it to brewing over a drink in the bar of the n Green Space Guardians The Bristol Beer Factory has won the ‘Best Tobacco Factory over the road. n ‘Love Places’ award Drinks Producer’ in the BBC Radio 4 Food The BBF started out as a traditional and Farming Awards, the ‘Oscars’ of the The six winners will each receive brewer but in the past couple of years has industry. a handcrafted award and get the moved to the forefront of the craft brewing opportunity to spend a day being The shortlisted entrants were decided on industry. mentored by an expert from the National votes from the public and the winners by George continues: “As an architect Trust. For more information: an expert panel of judges chaired by chef interested in place-making, I believe that and restauranteur Richard Corrigan. The www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w- beer-making, along with great good, can judges liked the fact that the Bristol Beer competitions_octavia-hill-awards play an important role in regenerating an Factory is at the heart of the community in area. Pubs have always been the heart Southville and Ashton, South Bristol and of any community and we feel there Britain’s new radicals central to the regeneration of the area. should be local beers to go in them. But it’s not just about the ales we create, Deadline Thursday 12 January 2012 George Ferguson, founder of the Bristol Beer Factory says: “We see this as an it’s also about being part of the local The Observer has launched a search accolade for the craft beer industry community and local economy. Like other for people, projects, organisations and as a whole and feel very lucky to be independent brewers, we’re not aiming to services that have designed fresh and representing independent brewers up and be the biggest, but strive to be the best innovative approaches and methods down the country who put so much care we can.” (social, technological, scientific, and attention into producing high quality www.bristolbeerfactory.co.uk artistic) in practical ways to transform craft beers.” our society for the better. These new Food for Life organisations and services might come “We strongly believe that independent The Food for Life Partnership was also from familiar areas such as health, local businesses, whatever they are, recognised in the Awards, winning the ageing, education, community life, the are capable of producing higher quality Derek Cooper award for the individual or green economy and tackling challenges products and services than national organisation doing most to bring about such as poverty, loneliness, young mass-producers. We make truly local beer real change in our relationship with food. people and unemployment, wellbeing – using local suppliers and materials and and regeneration. Or they could break re-investing in the area.” For five years the Soil Association and entirely new ground. The criteria are: Chair of judges Richard Corrigan said its three partners in the project – Health Education Trust, Garden Organic and 1. An entrant must have been operating about the winners: “They are working hard Focus on Food Campaign – have been for at least six months and show to save some of our greatest craft skills working with schools and communities evidence that it is meeting its goals and and artisan traditions and reflect where across England to transform their is sustainable. It doesn’t matter how Britain is today and give us optimism for food cultures, and the award is fitting small the project – a good idea can our future.” recognition for the impact the scheme has always grow. Bristol Beer Factory was founded six had. The Partnership uses food as a way 2. An entrant can nominate itself or be years ago after a chance conversation to improve the whole school experience nominated by others. in the Tobacco Factory theatre bar, – making lunchtimes a positive feature of 3. Entrants must be based in the UK and owned by acclaimed architect George the day and enriching classroom learning not primarily motivated by profit. Ferguson. He decided to buy a nearby old with farm visits and practical cooking and brewery building that was under threat growing. www.guardian.co.uk/ of demolition. Originally known as the theobserver/2011/dec/11/britains- Ashton Gate Brewery, which boasted www.soilassociation.org/schoolfood/ new-radicals-how-to-apply 120 pubs in the area, it was closed after foodforlifepartnership

3 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012 csa news The Community Farm At the beginning of December staff and n 807 people signed up to our regular n All details of the investment can be Directors of The Community Farm met to newsletter found on our website at review the last few months and plan for n Members have taken on their own www.thecommunityfarm.co.uk the months ahead. Looking back at what projects including visits to Care Homes has been achieved over the last year, we and forming the Valley Promotion Group Switch to Ecotricity and you could help came up with a long list that included: to promote the farm locally the farm raise more funds n Hosted international visitors from Italy, We have teamed up with green electricity The Business USA and Japan supplier, Ecotricity. If you switch you n Grown lots of veg! electricity supply to them and quote COF n Held events including the Members’ n or Community Farm then the Farm gets Becoming legal and accountable open day and a Midsummer Picnic n £40. If you switch to dual fuel (gas and Launched a new website n Chefs’ day electricity) then the Farm gets £60. £220 n Running an efficient box scheme with 360 weekly customers Partnerships has been raised this way so far which is fantastic. Not only are those people n Wholesale business increased n Worked with Avon Wildlife Trust on supporting renewable energy but the n bioblitz and education We have a toilet and a tap and the start Farm gets a great benefit too. See here for of staff facilities n Developed a Bath hub with DHI details www.thecommunityfarm.co.uk/ n We have an Organic Apprentice through (Developing Health and Independence) news/2011/11/switch-to-ecotricity-and- the Soil Association scheme n Events the-farm-gets-up-to-60/ n Supplied veg for 3 Soil Association Food n Pulled off a great AGM and Harvest for Life Partnership award events Festival (and survived!) Community Farmer Days n We have a team of committed, n Corporate work days Our Community Farmer Days throughout enthusiastic and dedicated staff and n Good local relations 2011 have been a huge success with up board members to 25 people coming along on some days. n Runner up in Observer Food awards n Employed local people for casual labour In October, volunteers helped to harvest n Improved infrastructure on site such We know there are still plenty of things 6 tonnes of squash and in November as track, plans for barn, cold store, that we can improve upon and we’ve got 24 volunteers came along (half of them electricity our list of many of those already, so watch using the bus we hired from Community this space! Transport and the bus driver even decided The Members to join in!). The day yielded 300kg of Buy a Share in the Farm n 500 investors and annual members parsnips, 200kg of celeriac, and a huge In the meantime – you can still invest in trailer load of potatoes was sorted, n Gathered Members’ ideas at the AGM the farm. By our original deadline of 30th bagged and stored. As well as this we got n 2 new board members November we had raised £45,550 with a the last 200kg of white cabbage out, a bit Fundraising further £5,000 pledged – half way to our slug damaged, but with careful trimming target. We have decided to try to reach our and washing still great to eat. Lastly we n Raised £170,000 through Community target by the end of February 2012 as this managed to find about 70kg of squash still Shares will really enable us to start to deliver on left up in the field that had been hidden n B&NES small grant our ambitions. So… in the grass. More days are planned for n Through to second round of Village SOS 2012 – investors and members get priority n You can invest anything from £50 to funding booking! n Linked with Ecotricity Affinity scheme £20,000 n Make your new year’s resolution to For more information see our lovely new The Volunteers and Outreach become a part of the farm, invest and website www.thecommunityfarm.co.uk n Worked with over 100 volunteers since volunteer and get delicious organic veg April 2011, plus 14 regular volunteers delivered to your door!

4 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012 csa news News from the Hill! mains water and a pond being put in the field in the first quarter, which should give production a boost. We will be growing for 60 harvest shares from next month, so there will be more shares available in 2012, the harvest increasing in July. Ten of these shares will be workshares. We are also planning to run more community veg growing trainings, after this years’ Thornbury Harvest Co-op successful pilot. After a bumper harvest in 2011, A combination of four community plans are underway for the planting We are just coming to the end of our celebration days and weekend workdays of next season’s crops so the Land first year at Sims Hill Shared Harvest. It will also make us more accessible to our Group at Camphill Communities has been a challenging year, yet we now members and the wider community. Thornbury where this CSA is based have nearly fifty households getting are meeting with Thornbury Harvest vegetables grown just up the road. We Thanks to all of our members and to look at what to plant where, and have only a few harvest shares left volunteers for helping us through our first in particular what varieties to go with available. successful year on the plot. We couldn’t – exciting stuff! have done it without you! There will be a few more difficult months We’ve still got crops in the ground to come in the new year but we are excited http://simshillsharedharvest. as I write this in late November – the about 2012. We should see a polytunnel, wordpress.com Cavalo Nero and other brassicas have really done well this year – as have most crops. The hungry gap is in our mind though so we are looking at ways of keeping our members supplied by buying in vegetables and fruit from as local as possible. Members have indicated that they are interested in extending the range of what we supply too (items like fruit, eggs and other vegetables not grown by the CSA). If anyone is interested in learning more, call 01454 416778 or visit: CSA networking session www.thornburycsa.org.uk On Tuesday 29 November, 10 people from This will allow members of the group to CSA groups in and around Bristol and easily share information, post questions Bath got together to talk about how their and events, and advertise wants and projects could collaborate and support ‘haves’. There was a strong desire to be each other. The meeting was hosted by mutually supportive and to maintain the Soil Association at the Better Food personal contact through informal visits Company in St Werburghs after a couple to each other’s projects and phone calls, of CSA projects expressed an interest in as well as through the BaseCamp. The forming a local network. There are seven group is open to anyone from a CSA to join developing and trading CSA initiatives in – to be added to the BaseCamp please the area and a great deal of expertise has contact Alison@thecommunityfarm. Introducing grandson Elijah to the already been developed. Whilst munching co.uk. Another immediate outcome has joys of fresh, organic, local food! cake and sandwiches the group talked been an offer from The Community Farm, (Summer 2011) about cooperating on wholesale buying; which has a thriving wholesale arm, to sharing machinery and apprentices; provide produce at its lowest wholesale Looking for the CSA nearest to you? collaborating on community transport and price to CSA enterprises in the area, training; as well as sharing knowledge and providing they can pick up from one of The Community Farm experience of growing, and issues around two pick up points. For more information Sims Hill Shared Harvest on this please contact Laurence Guy via engaging the community and finding set- Long Ashton (neighbours cultivating veg [email protected] and raising chickens) up funding. Tynings Field (starting) For more information on CSA you can The first decision by the group was to set Severn Project (developing) contact bonnie Hewson (bhewson@ up an online BaseCamp room, hosted on Bathampton soilassociation.org / 0117 914 2430) The Community Farm’s BaseCamp, for a Thornbury West of England CSA Support Network. www.soilassociation.org/csa Winterbourne

5 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012 Bristol City Council High Street Inquiry Day News Bristol City Council’s Scrutiny First ever Fairtrade Business Awards open for applications Commission held an Inquiry Day on The Awards scheme has 5 categories: 11 November into the state of Bristol’s high streets. 1. Best Fairtrade Office, sponsored by Burges Salmon Nine draft priority themes, which 2. Best Fairtrade Retailer emerged from the Inquiry Day 3. Best Fairtrade Catering Outlet workshops, were agreed at the 4. Best Fairtrade Accommodation end of the day. These will be 5. Best overall Fairtrade Business, incorporated into a final report sponsored by Lyons Davidson alongside other recommendations from the workshops, the survey The Awards are organised by Bristol analysis from residents and Fairtrade Network in association with businesses, and online comments. Business West, Destination Bristol and Bristol City Council. Bristol City Council The report will be presented to The first ever Fairtrade Business Awards, leader, Cllr Barbara Janke, said: “Bristol the Scrutiny Commission’s formal sponsored by The Co-operative, are has been a Fairtrade City since 2005 meeting, currently scheduled for being held in Bristol, and are now open and it’s great to see more and more 2 February 2012. for applications from all businesses in businesses in the city embracing its ethos the region which support Fairtrade. The 9 Draft priority themes and following through with their actions. ceremony, to be hosted by the BBC’s People here want to trade fairly and be 1. Local research on centres is George Alagiah, will be held at Leigh able to make more ethical buying choices. needed to come up with a suitable Court, home of Business West, on Friday 9 These new awards will encourage even mix in areas building on existing March 12–2pm 2012 as the major event in more businesses to get involved and toolkits available. the south west for Fairtrade Fortnight. give them the opportunity to showcase 2. Other non-retail in areas should The aim of the Awards is to increase their actions, whilst enhancing Bristol’s be promoted. awareness and sales of Fairtrade reputation as a leading Fairtrade city.” 3. Procurement processes of the through an Award scheme, to enhance For more information contact public sector should be examined the reputation and ethical credentials Jenny Foster, Bristol Fairtrade Co-ordinator, to make it simpler for independent of all businesses taking part, and to 07970 878337 local suppliers to be involved. confirm Bristol as one of the world’s [email protected] 4. There are opportunities inherent leading Fairtrade cities. We particularly in neighbourhood plans particularly aim to promote small, local businesses For more details, to sponsor an Award in relation to alternatives to that promote Fairtrade. Many local food or to enter the Awards, please go to: supermarkets. supporters also choose Fairtrade where www.bristolfairtrade.org.uk/FTF2012/ 5. Access issues need to be locally sourced options are not available. BusinessAwards2012/Awards.html addressed particularly street furniture, transport, public toilets, etc. 6. Vacancy rates need to be managed proactively. 7. There are opportunities for place management and this would encourage better support for local traders. 8. Supporting retailers is required to develop their skills via distance learning and other opportunities available. 9. Planning needs to be more proactive to support local high streets. The webcast is also available if you’d like to view it at: http://connect.bristol.public-i.tv/ site/player/pl_v7.php? Winter veggie bed in Castle Park a=67008&t=&m=flash&l=en_GB The new display is now planted up and with the recent mild weather is growing fast. Bristol City Council’s Allotment Officer, Steve Clampin, would like to invite people to come up with ideas for veg beds in their own local park or open space. Contact Steve on 0117 922 3737 or [email protected] outlining what you have in mind.

6 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012 Food Policy Council update News The Food Policy Council met again in November with a major theme to the meeting looking at current work underway that contributes to safeguarding the diversity of food retailing in the city. The meeting took place in the @Symes Community Centre in Hartcliffe. This venue was specifically chosen being part of the redevelopment of the centre of Hartcliffe. This development is a classic example of mainstream regeneration practice with area development being catalysed and underpinned by investment from one of the big four supermarkets – in the case of Hartcliffe, Morrison’s. The Food Policy Council received a presentation from Stephen Hewitt, the former Chief Executive of the Hartcliffe and Withywood Healthy Eating for Life Community Partnership. This group An ambitious and fun programme of this population group, revealed a desire was instrumental in bringing together events is planned for the South Asian for learning about making healthier food statutory bodies to draw up plans to meet community and others to raise awareness choices. One very significant theme to community aspirations for the area. The of the need to eat a healthy, well emerge in relation to dietary attitudes principal reason for this presentation balanced diet. Practical cooking, cooking and beliefs was the duality and ongoing was to demonstrate the complexity of demonstrations, growing, workshops and importance of culture. Recognising the current debate about the role of a Ready Steady Cook event are all on the this enables nutrition interventions to supermarkets, in particular the ‘big four’; agenda from September 2011–March 2012. be framed by a core emphasis on the Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Asda, positive aspects of traditional diets. In and to help ensure members are fully As with the rest of the population the the report recommendations were made acquainted with all the issues about the dietary habits of minority ethnic groups for a range of different practical sessions future of food retail in the city. are affected by a wide variety of factors (including cookery events and vegetable/ which include among others access & Steven Marriott and Jason Thorne of Bristol fruit growing demonstrations) within and availability, cost, cooking skills and City Council then gave a joint presentation between community groups. This event religion & dietary laws. Recent research of the current work by the City Council held in September was a huge success. commissioned by Public Health to better to understand and develop support understand the reasons which underlie For more information, contact Liz Fox mechanisms for the remaining traditional food choice and dietary behaviour among [email protected] shopping streets/centres in the city. Recent activity has included consultation on the draft Market Strategy and Action Plan, and the High Street Inquiry Day held by the Sustainable Development and Transport Scrutiny Committee of the Council which will lead to the development of the Retail Action Plan next year. A discussion followed about whether further work was necessary to understand if independent food retailers in the city required any further support other than the suggestions arising out of the High Street Inquiry Day. The principle conclusion was that a dialogue with independent food retailers was required. The officers were tasked to develop this. Finding a plot Details of the Council work can be found on the website. The Bristol City Council allotment website The Thingwall Park site is off Fishponds www.bristol.gov.uk/page/allotments Road, backing onto Eastville Park. The Further reports on the development provides details of allotment plot location, plot is specifically designed for people of a city-wide food charter, the 2012 availability etc. Currently there are some with disabilities, which can range from Bristol Food Conference and the Soil disabled raised beds available at the wheelchair users to blind and partially Association’s Sustainable Food City Thingwall Park allotment site for a disabled sighted people, and people with arthritis Conference and Network were received person or group. (Shown are similar beds or back problems. and discussed. The reports and in use at the Talbot Road site.) presentations are available from Contact Steve Clampin: 0117 922 3737 Steve Marriott · 0117 922 4462 [email protected] [email protected]

7 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012 People’s Supermarket Bristol A ‘People’s Supermarket’ inspired co-operative to begin trading in Bristol · Claire Milne

A new community-owned supermarket, the food chain is treated with care and events such as festive feasts, talks, film inspired by London’s ‘People’s respect. And with no remote shareholders screenings and world café nights. Supermarket’, began trading as a to drain profits, local money stays within Involving the local community is key to market stall on Saturday 17 December, the community, a win-win situation for the project and the project’s team of everyone involved. selling healthy, local food at affordable volunteers are keen to hear what people prices at the Stokes Croft Winter fair. The initiative currently has a network of would like the shop to offer. Ideas about The response from the local community over 70 people volunteering in various how the store can add value to the local was overwhelming, with 25 volunteers capacities to build the foundations of area are already flowing including offering helping run the stall on the day and the project – and is actively seeking skills training and work placements for the hundreds of people signing up to get involvement from as wide a range of unemployed and holding regular in-store involved. people possible so that the shop can meet community events such as cookery classes Run as a not for profit social enterprise, the needs of the whole community. There and talks on seasonal foods. the food cooperative aims to lessen the are plans in progress for a membership This model offers the potential to gap between consumers and the farmers scheme which will see the cooperative take market share away from the big and producers who grow the food we become a wholly member led organisation supermarkets whilst in turn creating buy. Currently run entirely by volunteers, in the not too distant future. Membership important new markets for local overheads are low, meaning profits are will be open to everyone within the local producers. We hope that this is the first of reinvested back into the project and good community and at every stage of the many community-owned supermarkets in quality healthy food can be sold at almost supply chain, with members contributing, Bristol and that together we can contribute cost price, offering an alternative to the for example, £4 and four hours a month to the re-building of a local food economy supermarket giants dominating our high in return for a discount on their shopping for Bristol and the surrounding area. We streets. and an equal say in how the shop is run. urgently need to raise £500 to fund the first 2 months of our office space – please Produce will all be sourced locally Initially operating as a market stall, email [email protected] if you are from trusted suppliers who are treated the initiative will operate from a more able to contribute in any way. fairly, resulting in a guilt-free shopping permanent base later in 2012, and the experience that also doesn’t strip your project’s team of volunteers are already To sign up for regular updates wallet bare. The aim is to offer people seeking out a suitable premises. Until or to volunteer, email the convenience and affordability of the this happens, the project will continue to [email protected] larger chain supermarkets whilst ensuring operate as a market stall across Bristol as For more information visit that everyone and everything involved in well as holding a variety of food related www.bristolpeoplessupermarket.org

photographs: mima kearns

8 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012 Aquaponics: Part of the Solution? Ian Lapraik Aquaponics Resources Online With the trend of rising food and energy Aquaponics: ATTRA Overview prices looking set to continue, and Document with the global population now passing www.backyardaquaponics.com/ 7 billion, it’s no wonder people are Travis/aquaponic.pdf thinking more and more about food Herbs from Wales: Anglesey-based security and local food production. family-run aquaponics, part of small- holding (plus aquaponics courses) What is Aquaponics? www.herbsfromwales.co.uk/joomla/ One idea which offers an elegant solution A flourishing aquaponics system Aquaponics UK: Pioneers of to current problems is aquaponics – the © Herbs from Wales, Anglesey aquaponics at Stirling University combination of aquaculture (growing www.herbsfromawales.co.uk www.aquaponics.org.uk fish in tanks) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil). Aquaculture and being driven by hardiness, productivity Moffat CAN: an example of a hydroponics both have their own and local tastes. community-based aquaponics system problems. Aquaculture tends to be very integrated into a wider project The main inputs to an aquaponics system water-intensive as you have to remove fish http://moffatcan.org/index. are fish food, water (topping up to offset wastes and maintain water quality, which php?page=Aquaponics evaporation and transpiration) and means regularly changing large volumes of Backyard Aquaponics: Australian site electricity (for pumps and, depending water. In hydroponics a constant supply of with a wealth of information on your system, supplemental lighting chemical fertiliser is added to the water to www.backyardaquaponics.com or heating). All of these inputs can be keep the plants growing. sustainably sourced (e.g. using soy-based Fishplant: Smallscale aquaponics kits Aquaponics is a ‘managed ecosystem’ fish food rather than fishmeal pellets; available in the UK approach to food production. Fish waste in rainwater harvesting; electricity from solar http://fishplant.co.uk/ the form of ammonia is circulated through PV panels and heat from ground source growbeds, where naturally occurring heat pumps). Aquaponics encourages a fish you want, but reduces the number of friendly bacteria convert the ammonia to natural/ecosystem based approach to components in your system)? beneficial nitrates to feed the plants, then problems of pests and diseases. Spraying There are advantages and disadvantages the cleansed water is returned to the fish plants with pesticides isn’t an option as it to each technique and combination; which tanks. Water consumption is about 90% will probably also kill your fish. Biological route you follow will depend on your own less than in soil-based agriculture, yet control is strongly preferred – e.g. bringing particular requirements – what space plant productivity is higher – reportedly in ladybirds to manage aphid outbreaks, you have available and what you want four times (or more) as high as in soil- or tiny parasitic wasps to control whitefly. to achieve from you aquaponics system. based agriculture. As a result aquaponics These kinds of pest control organisms are On the downside, Aquaponics isn’t is a much more sustainable system. now readily available. something you can put ‘on hold’ while you Pioneered in Australia and the US, aqua- Considerations go on holiday for a fortnight. The fish need ponics is ideally suited to small-scale, feeding every day, water quality needs to When considering setting up an aqua- local, sustainable food production. Systems be monitored regularly, and any problems ponics system, there are a wide variety of range from a few large-scale intensive need to be resolved promptly. Unless you options to choose from. At its simplest you commercial setups (mostly in the US), to have very good neighbours, this is one of need a tank to grow the fish in, some kind community-based projects like Moffat CAN the main reasons why aquaponics may be of growbed for the plants, and a pump to in Scotland, to ‘backyard’ sized family best run as a community, rather than as an move the water from A to B. sized units or even smaller. You could even individual project. set up your child’s aquarium as an aqua- There your choices begin. How big a ponics system growing a few indoor herbs! system do you want? This is usually driven Conclusion either by the quantity of fish or plants you The benefits of aquaponics (locally Outputs and Inputs want to produce in a given period. Do you produced, sustainable food available Outputs from an aquaponics system want a ‘flood and drain’ growbed filled all year round) are significant, and with are plants and fish. A wide variety of with some kind of neutral rooting medium the growing demands and constraints plants can be grown: quick-growing leafy (like expanded clay balls), or a ‘floating on our food production and distribution vegetables like lettuce and Pak Choi raft’ system where the plant roots dangle systems, aquaponics is worth exploring provide the highest productivity, but many directly in the water that flows underneath as part of the solution to the problems other crops have also been successfully the rafts, or a ‘nutrient film technique’ facing society. If you’d like to find out grown in aquaponics systems (tomatoes, system where the roots grow in shallow more about aquaponics and whether it’s cucumbers, broccoli and other brassicas, channels through which the fish water something that would fit with and be of flowers, herbs, and strawberries). Some passes? Do you want to have multiple fish benefit to your organisation, please feel plants don’t do so well in aquaponics tanks for fish of different ages (so you can free to contact the author at IanLapraik@ systems – mainly root veg. Fish species harvest fish more regularly), or to keep hotmail.com who would be happy to typically considered in the UK are carp, different aged fish in the same tank (which advise or direct you to additional sources trout and tilapia – the choice usually can make it more difficult to harvest the of information.

9 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012 Following the Plot no.10: Winter Keith Cowling

The first hard frosts in December finally your equipment, making sure that tools (NB NOT builders’ lime) to every 1 or 2 sq finished off the last of the summer crops are in good shape, pots and labels are metres of soil before spring sowings. and left allotments looking bedraggled in adequate supply and watering cans and forlorn. Only the hardy winter and roses still work. Check that you have Rotation vegetables remain to soldier on through enough netting and fleece (if you use If you use any rotation system on your the cold weather and shortened days. them) and give the barrow a check and a plot, Winter is the time to form a plan With little planting or weeding to do squirt of oil. for the coming season. Make sure that until the longer days start to warm the crops that most problematically build-up soil, winter is a useful time for other Nutrients disease-risk have all moved. Leave purple things. The name of the game is clearing You should already have a pile of Autumn sprouting broccoli alone and any kale, away last season and preparing for the leaves somewhere, quietly turning into sprouts or caulis that are nearly ready, but next. leaf mould for the Summer after next – brassicas that have failed to thrive should and hopefully some from the year before now be cleared to ensure the maximum Clearing to make this year’s seed-sowing beds. rest period before this plant family returns. If you haven’t already, have a good clear Good value fertility can be had from This includes any radishes, turnips and up before seed sowing gets too close. local authority bulk compost schemes swedes that were missed at harvest time Most of last summer’s growth can go on to like South Gloucestershire’s (still no plus weeds that are members of the the compost heap but woody stalks, rotten equivalent in Bristol, unfortunately) or cruciferae or cabbage tribe like shepherd’s sticks and bramble roots should dry for a from a local waste company that has a purse and charlock. Those who already few weeks before a bonfire converts them bulk composting system for green waste. have club root on their plot, need to into useful wood ash with 3% potash. Put At about £25 per tonne, this can be spread exercise particular caution here and keep this in a damp-proof container to spread liberally as a top dressing on any bed that a strict liming routine as described above. failed to produce well last year or where along rows of broad bean shoots in the The potato is the other important crop topsoil is poor or thin. It is also good to Spring. Once last year’s crops have been which builds up pests and diseases in the have a supply of manure ready to line the cleared, cover beds that have no over- soil, so last Summer’s potato beds should trenches of March’s early potato plantings. wintering crop to suppress weeds and be forked over once more, especially No-dig gardeners should also think about preserve nutrients. (See previous columns if potatoes were blighted, to look for bringing a straw bale back with them from for the merits of using cardboard, leaves the little ‘travellers’ that the crop lifting a Winter drive to the countryside. and black plastic for this, and for the missed. These can also provide forage for developing consensus against using old Lime is not really a nutrient, but it is an eelworms over the rest period as well as carpets.) important soil additive, even for organic carrying over blight spores. gardeners, since calcium is continually As you get things tidy and review last Mending leached from soil by acidic rain. Lime’s season’s output, decide on your planting Winter is also a good time to tackle the main function on the plot is thus to correct and cropping plan for this season, aiming maintenance jobs on the plot. Raised the soil’s PH value, but it also helps to to avoid anything growing in the same beds with wooden structures usually make phosphorus – one of the basic plant place as it was last year. This will help to need a routine replacement of rotten foods – more available and to prevent clarify the details of the seed order that is wood. Similarly, paths need levelling and club root ( ) in the cabbage see below now getting urgent. re-surfacing periodically, and storage tribe. As brassicas prefer it a year after it areas and water collection arrangements has been spread, lime should go on the Keith Cowling · [email protected] should be checked and repaired before a rotation course which comes a year before Ashley Vale Allotments Association new year haul of manure and the arrival of cabbages – generally after potatoes and www.ashleyvaleallotmentsassociation. Spring rains. Once the plot infrastructure before the beans and peas. So spread a org/index.php has had some TLC, turn your attention to kilo of slaked lime or ground limestone

10 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012 On the web…

Food for thought: food sovereignty in Europe digest: Food systems have been reduced to a model of industrialised agriculture controlled by a few transnational food corporations together with a small group of huge retailers. www.redpepper.org.uk/food-for- Waste not want not thought/ Tom Hunt, eco-chef, food waste activist and big eater. Making Local Food Real Co-founder of ‘Poco’ Stokes Croft digest: Scaling-up CSAs on a 350 acre floodplain in Vermont. With 20 million tonnes of food being The current level of food waste is totally http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes. wasted each year and ever increasing unacceptable and has inspired a group com/2011/11/29/making-local-food- numbers of people around the world of us from our festival cafe Poco Loco The real/?smid=tw-bittman&seid=auto going hungry, it’s clear that change Shisha Lounge, to open Poco in Stokes needs to happen. Croft. Now that we have a premises that Permaculture on a budget will be producing vast quantities of food As a chef, I’ve never believed in wasting and potential waste, we have a great digest: Practical permaculture solutions food and have always tried to cook responsibility to uphold. from a soggy smallholding in Wales. seasonal and local produce wherever www.energybulletin.net/ possible. I did however see a certain Poco is both revolutionary in its concept, stories/2011-11-03/permaculture-budget amount of food waste as inevitable in and simple in its approach. Our goal is to mass food production. reduce our landfill waste to zero. Planting our perennial future: Corn Recently I was introduced to Tristram We will do this by: trees, oil bushes, potato thickets, & Stuart, the world’s leading food waste sweater swards n No bins just recycling and compost campaigner, author of the award winning boxes digest: The current industrial model of US book Waste, and organiser of Feeding the agriculture is economically, energetically, n Request from suppliers that all products 5000. Till then I thought I was a man of and ecologically doomed. Any hope for a have minimal or no packaging morals! livable future requires that we accelerate n Managing orders so that food is fresh Tristram doesn’t just talk about food the creation of resilient, ecologically- and runs out waste, he works to prevent it, and he viable ‘shadow structure’ replacements for genuinely makes a real difference. Now I’m n If food is over ordered or too much industrial US agriculture. working on projects with Tristram to help is prepared steps are taken early to www.energybulletin.net/ reduce food waste, my whole perception preserve the food stories/2011-11-04/planting-our- of life has changed, and the way I look at n Any food that can’t be consumed on the perennial-future-corn-trees-oil-bushes- cheffing is completely different. premises is given away potato-thickets-sweater-sward I now have concern not just for the taste of n Thrift – Innovative dishes are created to Turn-key food hives the food but its whole production and the use meat and veg trimmings impact that has on the environment. n Correct storage, refrigeration to digest: A new business model and web lengthen the life of products platform that enables anyone to set up a Food is currently wasted at every level of fair trade organic food distribution and n Recording waste so that a solution can production from field to fork: supply network – and make a sustainable be found and put into place in future. n Farmers often leave a certain proportion social business out of it at the same time. of their crops in the ground through Poco sees its business as an opportunity www.energybulletin.net/ overproduction, or an order by the to effect change and make a difference stories/2011-11-04/turn-key-food-hives supermarket that was never completed. through its production. We are excited about the challenge and responsibility we n Supermarkets will reject a product if it Restoring Food Hubs have taken on as a green business and has less than 75% of its predicted shelf digest: Food hubs can offer key infra- will be transparent with our operations life left. structure support and facilitate market and hopefully educate other businesses in opportunities for smaller producers. n Supermarkets will reject produce if the process. it is not in the desired state, size or www.energybulletin.net/ perfection. I will be writing articles about food stories/2011-11-11/restoring-food-hubs waste, cooking and related recipes on my n A large proportion of the food that does blogsite: make it to our homes and restaurants is Health, resilience, and a locavore diet www.tomsfeast.com more often than not thrown into the bin. digest: One woman’s search for genuinely WRAP believe that 7.2 million tonnes local ingredients in Sussex. of food is thrown away from our homes www.energybulletin.net/ each year. stories/2011-11-15/health-resilience- and-locavore-diet

11 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012 On the web…

How the Farm-to-Table Movement Is Chef profile Helping Grow the Economy Giles Evans, Head Chef, Tyntesfield digest: Local food becomes big business in the US. After years honing his skills in Michelin about what they grow and have their own www.entrepreneur.com/article/220357 star restaurants, Tyntesfield’s Head Chef recommendations on particular varieties. Giles Evans has come back to his Bristol The garden has been in continuous Home-grown food in schools for a green roots and tells us why having a Victorian production since it was created in the economy Kitchen Garden at his fingertips is a 1890s and it is so satisfying to use the digest: An international initiative led chef’s dream come true. garden as it was intended. by the UN World Food Programme, and a unique institutional experiment in How important is local food to your One year on since you opened, what are promoting a green economy by linking menu? your highlights? public sector food procurement to It is probably the most important thing. It has to be the work we do with local sustainable agriculture. Local food is fresh and therefore so much kids such as the annual crumble rumble www.energybulletin.net/ more tasty. It’s the sustainable option too. race and our Countryside Guardianships stories/2011-11-18/home-grown-food- The National Trust’s aim is to source as project – every year a local school tend schools-green-economy much produce as possible from within a their own patch in the garden – this year 30 miles radius and we are lucky enough we were able to help them make their own Cob Cottage Company: Complete to have some amazing local producers pasties with the veg they had grown. They permaculture site near Tyntesfield. Our menu is all about loved it! digest: You cannot have permaculture great British, seasonal food but we also try What’s in store for 2012? without building your own comfortable and serve things that people may not cook dwelling from the materials onsite. at home such as Dyrham estate venison or We’ve got the new Pavilion tea room Somerset mutton. We are also privileged opening, near the kitchen garden, which www.energybulletin.net/ to get fruit and veg from Tyntesfield’s own is going to be great – amazing views over stories/2011-11-18/cob-cottage- kitchen garden which is about as fresh as Somerset countryside and a wood burner company-complete-permaculture-site- you can get! for cosy winter days. There will be more tuesday-november-15-2011 of the same great local food, building What is it like to have a Victorian Kitchen up new relationships with suppliers and The justice of eating: Food, fairness garden at your disposal? experimenting with new varieties of fruit and the Fife diet and veg. We’re hoping to start cookery It is a chef’s dream! The garden is so digest: In Kinghorn, a small coastal workshops this year – we’d love to get productive and well managed that we town in Fife, the international FoodRevolt more people out here and get involved in have the pick of the most awesome conference examined inequalities around what we doing. fruit and vegetables. The quality of food, and brought together around 200 food is exceptional and because of the Giles is Head Chef at the Cow Barn at activists, NGOs and food writers, as well glasshouses we even get to choose more Tyntesfield, in North Somerset. as chefs, food producers and consumers. exotic, home grown varieties – the figs Open every day (except Christmas Day). www.energybulletin.net/ are amazing! We regularly try to get down Book a table on 01275 461965. stories/2011-12-06/justice-eating-food- to the gardens and chat (and taste!) with For more information about Tyntesfield: fairness-and-fife-diet the gardeners. They are really passionate www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield. Policies for a shareable city #11: Urban agriculture digest: 11 suggested US policies to help encourage urban food growing. www.energybulletin.net/ stories/2011-12-06/policies-shareable- city-11-urban-agriculture

Subscriber prize draw Thanks to the National Trust at Tyntesfield, we can offer a prize draw for subscribers to this newsletter. On offer is a family day-pass for 2 adults and up to 3 children, which will give free entry to Tyntesfield and its lovely, productive walled garden. The draw will take place at the end of February, so if you’re not yet a subscriber, then sign-up now at: www.bristolfoodnetwork.org/sign-up

12 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012 Funding Free Training and Grants for Buy Better Together Challenge BIG Lottery Fund: Communities New Breakfast Clubs (UK) The ‘Buy Better Together Challenge’ is Living Sustainably School staff, parents and group leaders aimed at raising awareness of the benefits Communities Living Sustainably will that wish to set up a new breakfast club in of community buying and sharing best fund partnerships that bring together the a school or community facility can obtain practice amongst communities. BIS and public, private, voluntary and community free training to equip staff with the skills Co-operatives UK are each contributing sectors to build up to 10 sustainable they need to start up and run a successful £30k to the prize fund. and resilient communities to help deal breakfast club. Following the training, Community buying involves groups of with the potential impact of climate leaders will be able to apply for a Best people combining their buying power to change. These communities will provide Start Breakfast Club grant of £650 to get purchase goods or services together and inspiration and share their learning with their new breakfast club up and running. get better deals from shops and other other communities across England. We are particularly interested in supporting the www.continyou.org.uk/school/ suppliers. This can help businesses most vulnerable groups and communities breakfast_club_plus/funding/ spread their overheads and in turn lowers costs for consumers. Support who are more likely to be affected by will be awarded to schemes that best climate change. Peoplefund.it demonstrate new and different models of Proposals from partnerships must meet all group buying and which deliver real deals This new online service provides a of the following outcomes: and social benefits for communities. Any platform to connect those that seek group or organisation within the public, 1. Communities are better prepared for funding and those that want to support voluntary or business sectors is eligible to environmental challenges and longer term ideas. Projects that require funding from enter the competition. environmental change and understand the between £1,000 and £50,000 can create improvements they can make to live more a page on the website. All you need is a Applications open in January 2012. In sustainably. project aim, a three minute video and an May, shortlisted applicants will be asked 2. Vulnerable people affected by the idea of what rewards you can give in return to prepare a detailed business plan for the impacts of climate change are able to for pledges. final stage, aided by a business mentor make greener choices to help improve if they need it. The overall winner of the www.peoplefund.it/ their quality of life. prize will be announced in October 2012. 3. Communities maximise the use of www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/ their assets and resources to create new Awards for All lfi/422373 economic opportunities and live more Awards for All England is a simple small sustainably. grants scheme making awards of between The Community Festival and 4. Communities have a greater £300 and £10,000. understanding of and more opportunities Event Fund The Awards for All programme aims to to use natural resources more efficiently. The Bristol City Council Community help improve local communities and the The programme will invest in up to 10 Festival and Event Fund is allocated lives of people most in need. communities by providing: annually to cover community-based It funds projects that meet one or more of events across the city. The fund is open to n access to expert support and advice to the following outcomes: Bristol-based community groups, Bristol help each community to develop their n People have better chances in life – Parks Forum members and non-profit skills, knowledge and abilities and build with better access to training and making organisations who are organising on best practice among communities development to improve their life skills. free festivals and events outdoors. n up to £10,000 to develop a project delivery plan that details the n Stronger communities – with more The funding application deadline for environmental, economic and social active citizens working together to 2012/13 is 4pm on 9 February 2012 for challenges affecting the community and tackle their problems. events that occur between 1 April 2012 and how they can be addressed n Improved rural and urban environments 1 April 2013. n – which communities are better able to grants of between £500,000 and £1 Individual funds are awarded to a access and enjoy. million for up to five years for a range of maximum of £2,000 per festival/event. activities and initiatives within a local n Healthier and more active people and community. communities. Please only ask for £2000 if you really need it. Many festivals/events are Closing date 31 January 2012 The application form is short and simple. allocated less than they ask for because Just email the completed form. the fund is small and aims to cover the www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_ communities_living_sustainably. You will find out if you are successful whole city. htm?regioncode=-uk within six weeks. For more details of how to apply, please www.awardsforall.org.uk/england/ call or email the events team on claire. summary.html [email protected] or 0117 9224665

13 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012 Events Coexist Community Kitchen The Ethicurean: Food Co-ops Networking event interactive workshop Barley Wood Wassail Wednesday 8 February Monday 16 & Tuesday 17 January 2012 Saturday 14 January. Midday till late. Southville Centre, Bristol BS3 Hamilton House, 80 Stokes Croft, Barley Wood Walled Garden, Long Lane, Sustain and the Soil Association are Bristol BS1 3YQ Wrington BS40 5SA organising a networking event for food Suggested donation of £25–£75 £7 advance/£10 on the door co-ops in the South West and West £19.50 Evening coach ticket from Bristol During the 2-day workshop we will: Midlands. There will be a chance to hear Building on last year’s sell-out event, The from new and existing food co-ops, the n Tailor a design which will respond to Ethicurean bring you an extended full Love Local Food project in Exeter and a everyone’s needs day event with activities for all the family university food co-op. There will also be n Work in teams, getting hands-on to gut including storytelling, creative workshops, workshops offering information on how to the old kitchen face painting & art. Wassail Ceremony set up and develop a co-op, legal advice, n Give focus and clarity on your own 6pm. Evening entertainment with music good communication and meetings and business and personal involvement and Mummers Play. funding. If you’re interested in coming then email [email protected] for n Get a chance to share your own project http://theethicurean.wordpress.com/ more details and a booking form: vision and explore collaboration www.foodcoops.org opportunities with others n Learn techniques to help continually Green Capital Future City build and strengthen your team. Conversations: Feed Me For more information and to book your 2–5pm Wednesday 25 January place, email: [email protected] Ecohome, Create Centre, Smeaton Road, Bristol BS1 6XN Avon Organic Group: Several years ago, a series of World Cafe Wassail at Horfield Organic conversations resulted in the current Green Capital vision. A programme of new Community Orchard ‘conversations’ has been arranged which 2–4pm Saturday 14 January 2012 aim to develop our shared understanding and agreement about what needs to be n Cakes and mulled juice done. These will be overseen by ‘thinker Transition Bath n Toast the trees in residence’, Professor Herbie Giradet, Apple Pruning Workshop n Make merry with Pigsty Morris who will facilitate our discussions and 10am–4pm Saturday 25 February ensure that we maintain our thoughts at To find the Orchard (nearest postcode BS7 Richens Orchard, Smallcombe the cutting edge of what is possible, both 8JP) walk down the lane beside 22 Kings £20 Drive (between Bishop Road and Kellaway theoretically and practically. It is essential Avenue), turn left and it’s the first gate that the discussions are attended by a The tutor is an expert in orchard on the right. OR take the lane beside 134 multi-disciplinary group of local experts management, and will cover selection, Longmead Avenue until you come to the who have a deep understanding of planting, grafting and pruning. The whole- last gate on the left. the issues, evidence and possibilities. day workshop costs £20, and will be held Although titled ‘conversations’ the result at Richens Orchard which is on National 0117 373 1587 · [email protected] is intended to be action. Trust land at Smallcombe, opposite www.community-orchard.org.uk Transition Bath’s community nuttery. ‘Feed Me’ session To book a place, phone Jim on 01225 AGM The recent study ‘Who Feeds Bristol’ 481500 or email [email protected]. Wednesday 1 February 2012 clearly showed the lack of resilience in our food system, reliant as we are on the large Hamilton House, 80 Stokes Croft Love Food Spring Festival Bristol BS1 3YQ retailers. The fightback has started, but All welcome. Donation on the door £3/£1. how do we redress the balance in favour Saturday 31 March and Sunday 1 April of local food? We need to get more people 7.30pm Annual General Meeting & Seed growing and cooking their own food, The Spring Festival combines some of Love Swap – including heritage varieties as well as increasing access to healthy, Food’s favourite producers with a superb cookery school, fantastic childrens’ 8.15pm Befriending our Bees – talk and locally sourced options.. demonstration activities and some great new features http://bristolgreencapital.org/ in a fabulously fun environment. Follow Yatton Area Bee Project supports latest/2011/12/future-city-conversations- the food love on Twitter @lovefoodfest. If sustainable ways to increase the local 23-27th-jan-2012/#more-919 you’re a pasisonate food lover and would population of healthy honey, bumble, and like to be a part of the festival, please solitary bees. Find out more about bees, You can find more up-to-date event e-mail [email protected]. and practical things to encourage and look information on our new website: www.lovefoodfestival.com after them, from Robin Morris. www.bristolfoodnetwork.org/

14 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012 On the web… Events appeals Rome’s Travelling Garden Supports Occupy Movement InterClimate Network: The Big Green Cook-off digest: A travelling edible garden in Rome called Orto Errante (which in Italian means Your Green Future Wednesday 21 March Wandering Garden) made a 2.5 mile Bristol 9am–3.15pm Tues13 & Wed 14 March journey from Santa Croce in Gerusalemme UWE’s Exhibition and Conference Centre As part of this event, the organisers to the city’s Occupy Rome tents. The organisers are looking for a want to raise awareness of the various www.urbangardensweb. representative (or a couple) from the local food growing initiatives in and com/2011/11/22/romes-travelling- Bristol Food Network to take on a team around Bristol. A representative from garden-supports-occupy-movement/ within the Jobs Change Workshops, to the Bristol Food Network could really act as mentors and judges. help to ensure that this local perspective NYC Rooftop Farm Classroom Cultivates is given. This could be done by acting Minds During the workshops, teams of students as a member of the judging panel in digest: A 1400-square foot smart and will design a product for a business, such marking each meal and each pitch for sustainable hydroponic urban farm sits on as a ready meal. Each team will have to its sustainable merits, cross-examining the third floor rooftop of a New York City think about issues such as where the the young people at the pitch stage to public school. product will be manufactured, how it is ensure that they have a true grasp of the produced, the materials used, its impact issues involved. www.urbangardensweb.com/2011/11/16/ on the environment, the supply chain and nyc-classroom-in-an-urban-rooftop- where profits distributed. The Big Green Cook-off is a young chef farm/ cooking competition in which participants Students will be supported by a range of will be asked to take part in a ‘Dragon’s professional ‘mentors’ who will be able to We’re throwing out less food – but still Den’ style, head-to-head competition to too much support them in their process. come up with and pitch to hypothetical digest: Wrap’s report reveals that the investors an environmentally friendly The format of the workshops: amount of household food waste thrown ready meal. Contestants will need to n Students, in teams (about 6–8 teams out in the UK has dropped by 13 percent, present the factors contributing to the eco per session) will design a product for a or 1.1 million tonnes, since 2006–07. footprint of their meal with some evidence business, such as a ready meal. to show the relative impact of each. www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food- n Each team will have to think about and-drink/news/were-throwing-out- It will involve community engagement issues such as where the product will less-food--but-still-too-much-6262749. between local businesses, local food be manufactured, how it is produced, html?utm_source=FCRN+Mailing&utm_ growing initiatives and students (16–19 the materials used, its impact on the campaign=4b3adf080d-FCRN-Mailing- year olds) from Bristol. This event is being environment, the supply chain and 24-Nov&utm_medium=email where profits distributed. planned in collaboration with Oliver Pratt, head chef from The Watershed, and Phil n Each team will link the need for the Industrial-Sized Rooftop Farm Planned Haughton of The Community Farm at Chew product to the wider issues – for for Berlin Magna and in conjunction with Your Green instance over consumption, resource digest: Berliners have earmarked a Future (YGF) Bristol 2012. depletion, throw away culture. massive former factory roof for an unusual n Students will be supported by a range of The competition will be filmed and urban agriculture venture. The sustainable professional ‘mentors’ who will be able screened at The Watershed during the Big set-up will produce both vegetables and to support them in their process – about Green Week (9–17 June). fish for local residents and could be a model for future city farms as the world 6–8 mentors needed per session. Enquiries about participation are continues to urbanize. n At the end of the session students welcome, please contact Simon Little will present their product to the other [email protected] www.spiegel.de/international/ students and the mentors – who will germany/0,1518,800376,00.html vote for the best product. Bring it to the table: Creating justice For more information, contact Simon Little through food [email protected] digest: What do we understand by the 0797 4975886 term food justice? Is it the search for accessible, affordable and healthy food for all? Or is there a role for food in tackling today’s larger-than-self problems? http://stirtoaction.com/?p=536

A competitive cooperative You can find more up-to-date event digest: Essential food cooperative information on our new website: celebrates 40 years of trading. www.bristolfoodnetwork.org/ http://stirtoaction.com/?p=540

15 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012 Conferences The Campaign for Real Farming Making Local Food Work The Oxford Real Farming Conference Conference Making Local Food Our Future Thursday 5 & Friday 6 January 2012 Wednesday 20 March 2012 Magdalen College, Oxford Mermaid Conference Centre, London £20 day/£35 both days Making Local Food Our Future will bring Farmers, writers, diplomats and together the innovators, drivers and academics of many kinds will be asking investors in the community food sector, the questions that really need to be to show how they are making a real addressed as humanity negotiates what impact by joining together and working perhaps are the choppiest waters that we collaboratively. have yet had to face. What would farming We all have something to contribute to look like if it was really designed to feed the future stability of the food system. people without wrecking the rest? Is the Soil Association Annual will be global, neoliberal economy really suited Conference Facing the future: Making Local Food Our Future your opportunity to be inspired by real to such farming? What kind of governance Innovation in food and farming examples, to connect with the key is needed to ensure that good farming can stakeholders and to find out how to do it thrive? Why don’t the people who frame Friday 2 March 2012 in your own community. farming strategy talk to farmers? How can Royal Horticultural Halls, London For bookings make before 2 January: we create a new generation of farmers, in The conference marks the culmination £72 members/£100 non-members an economy that seems intent on getting of five years of Making Local Food Work, After 2 January: £90/£120 rid of them? On the technical front: what funded by the Big Lottery Fund, which has is the role of grazing, mixed farming, and Exploring two major themes of the helped over 1,000 enterprises – and over all the rest? And how do we provide energy organisation’s strategy: Facing the Future, 2 million consumers – reconnect with local on farms? which explores the exciting scientific and food through community food enterprises. technical progress being made in organic www.campaignforrealfarming. Register your interest by calling and low-input farming systems; and org/2011/11/you-are-invited-to-the- Eileen Keenan on 01993 810730 or email Good Food for All, which contributes to third-oxford-real-farming-conference- [email protected] the important debate about food, public at-magdalen-college-oxford-on-january- health and social justice. www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/ 5th-and-6th-2012/ If the current model of food and farming is ‘unsustainable’, then we need to galvanize Growing Schools Conference: the finest thinkers, technologists, scientists, farmers, entrepreneurs and Benefits not Barriers teachers to develop new ways of feeding a 28 March 2012 growing world population now and in the RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey future. £125 per person or £100 if booked prior to the end of January 2012 In addition, the growing challenge of diet-related ill-health, in the UK and Featuring six, exciting, hands-on internationally, means that we need to workshops and 20+ marketplace explore the relationship between food exhibitors the conference will demonstrate production and its consumption. With the many advantages of making your a world that has approximately 1 billion school a Growing School. people malnourished and 1 billion obese, For further details contact Sandra McNeill there is a powerful case for bringing public sandra-mcneill@countrysidefoundation. health and nutritional expertise to the org.uk or Gary Richardson on 07711 farming and food production table, to 069092. innovate joined-up solutions for our food future. www.growingschools.org.uk/News/ detail.aspx?ItemID=45 www.soilassociation.org/shop/ item/categoryid/26/list/1/level/a/ productid/168/utm_source/ fcrn%20mailing/utm_campaign/ cb7868dc4e-fcrn_mailing_18_ october_201110_20_2011/utm_medium/ email

16 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012 Courses … with the low-impact living …at the Create Centre …at Stoke Lodge initiative B Bond Warehouse, Smeaton Road, Shirehampton Road, Stoke Bishop, Bristol BS1 6XN Bristol BS9 1BN Creating and maintaining For all course information: For all course information: orchards www.bristol.gov.uk/sites/default/ www.bristol.gov.uk/sites/default/ files/documents/leisure_and_culture/ files/documents/leisure_and_culture/ 10am–4pm Friday 20 January adult_education_and_learning/ALS%20 adult_education_and_learning/ALS%20 Near Thornbury, South Gloucestershire course%20guide%202011.pdf course%20guide%202011.pdf £95 This ‘hands-on’ course will guide you An introduction to sustainable The compact edible garden through choosing varieties and caring for gardening 10am–4pm Saturday 10 March your trees and their surroundings. The £36/£18 + £10 materials costs practical sessions will be a chance to see 10am–4pm Saturday 11 February Tutor: Sarah Edwards ‘best practice’ in planting trees and to try £36/£18 · Tutor: Susan Rogers skilled pruning of small and large trees. Create a garden that has a low impact on Make a zingy salad and edible flowers We have a wide range of fruit trees both resources and enhances the environment. hanging basket. large and small for you to practice your The day will offer an exploration of organic skills on, including medlar, pear, apple, growing methods and permaculture plum, greengage, cherry and crab apple. design principles to develop your Pruning – All you need to know www.lowimpact.org/thornbury_ approach to your garden. 10am–4pm Saturday 10 March orchards.htm £36/£18 · Tutor: Jon Wheatley Container vegetable A practical workshop which shows you how to prune fruit, shrubs and roses. Starting an allotment: Part 1 production 10am–4pm Wednesday 15 February 10am–4pm Saturday 25 February Near Thornbury, South Gloucestershire £36/£18 · Tutor: Susan Rogers Growing fruit and vegetables £95 Focussing on some practical and basic 10am–4pm Saturday 17 March Details to follow online. principles in growing vegetables in £36/£18 · Tutor: Jon Wheatley containers and small spaces. www.lowimpact.org/thornbury_ Focussing on some practical and basic allotment.htm principles in homegrowing techniques. The compact edible garden The low maintenance water …with the University of Bristol 10am–4pm Saturday 24 March £36/£18 + £10 materials costs wise garden University of Bristol Botanic Garden, Tutor: Sarah Edwards 10am–4pm Saturday 28 April The Holmes, Stoke Park Road, Plant up a recipe in a pot so you can pop £36/£18 · Tutor: Sarah Edwards Stoke Bishop, Bristol BS9 1JG out and gather the ingredients for your Plan a garden that is beautiful, bountiful For all course information: favourite tasty dishes easily and quickly and able to withstand the changes in www.bristol.ac.uk/Depts/ even if you have little space. Enjoy your climate. BotanicGardens/about/education.htm own home grown food.

Organic vegetable growing 10.30am–4.30pm Sats 4–28 February £90 · Tutor: Dave Hamilton Growing vegetables is hugely rewarding and with more people taking on an allotment for the first time in this short course at the Botanic Garden Dave Hamilton will explain the basics of setting up a growing space, including ground clearing, bed construction, siting of perennials and fixtures, soils, fertility, crop planning and rotations. The course will provide first time allotment owners enough information to get them started and achieve success within the first year.

17 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012 …more courses & training …with Ragmans Lane Farm RHS Campaign for School Simply Governance Ragman’s Lane Farm, Lydbrook, Gardening: Local courses 10am–4pm 21 March 2012 Gloucestershire GL17 9PA Lawrence Weston Community Farm, The Coach House (CDA BRAVE Ltd), www.ragmans.co.uk/courses/courselist. Bristol Bristol html Free of charge if you are part of, For more details and for information about associated to, or assisting with the other courses: development of a community food Sustainable Land Use http://apps.rhs.org.uk/ enterprise. £50 + VAT to other individuals 23 January–2 March schoolgardening/teachershome/ wishing to attend. Taught by: Patrick Whitefield with Jo teachertraining/southeast/default.aspa The training workshop is suitable for the Newton, Mike Gardner, Sarah Pugh and following: those advising, working with or Caroline Aitken participating in any community enterprise £400 per week including accommodation From plot to plate or co-operative organisational structure. It Monday 19 March 2012 This is the ideal course for people who is particularly aimed at anyone serving on want to work on the land in a sustainable This one day course is designed to help the governing body of a community food way, taught by people who are leaders you make your garden as productive as enterprise. in their fields. No previous experience you want it to be! Help children to make The morning session uses group work to is necessary, but people who have had the connection between what they eat explore: a more mainstream training have found and where it comes from. Producing it valuable for the holistic perspective it food makes children more adventurous n What is governance and why is it gives. It especially suits people who are in tasting food and so helps with getting important? working on the land or are intending to them to eat more healthily too. Inspire n The typical governance problems of a as it gives the overview knowledge which your children to grow with the magic of community enterprise. complements what you learn by actually cultivating food from seed to harvest. n Solutions and strategies to avoid the doing it. typical governance problems. It’s modular, so you can take one or more Go wild in the garden The afternoon session is a practical of the above subjects or all of them. Each hands-on workshop in which the module is a week, except the Permaculture Monday 21 May 2012 participants assess the governance health which is two. Whether your site is small or large there of a community food enterprise (either For full information see: is always opportunity to make the way their own or someone else’s). This is www.patrickwhitefield.co.uk/slu.htm you grow wildlife friendly. In recent times, carried out in two ways: pressure on agricultural land has taken its n a paper-based Governance audit, which toll and the value of gardens for wildlife is fed back to the group; and input into MSc Sustainable Horticulture has come to the fore. This course will help n a web-based Governance Audit tool – you to maximise the wildlife potential in and Food Production – growing newly created for this course and your school garden whilst still using it to low input, diverse and resilient available to participants and their its full potential for delivering the best for organisations after the course. food systems your children. Starting September 2012 Participants will also receive a copy of University of Plymouth/Schumacher Simply Governance, Co-operative UK’s College comprehensive guide to the systems and Community coaching processes concerned with the effective A new and cutting-edge MSc programme Do you… running of a community or co-operative in Sustainable Horticulture and Food enterprise. Production, at the forefront of new n work with a community group For both courses, there is much that is thinking on resilient and healthy food n inspire others and help them to help applicable to any community or co- systems of the future. themselves operative enterprise. This full-time 1-year postgraduate n want training to help you work better programme is offered in partnership with with other groups Contact: [email protected] · 0161 246 2953 the Eden Project, the Centre for Alternative The Community Coaching training www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/ Technology and Plymouth University programme starts in January in Salisbury about/gs/Training.cfm?frmAlias=/ To start in September 2012 please apply by and Exeter, 5 days spread over 6 weeks. training/ 28 February. Postgraduate diplomas and Please contact Georgia Spooner directly certificates are also available. if you are interested in the course or need www.schumachercollege.org.uk/ further information 0117 909 6315 courses/msc-sustainable-horticulture- www.swcn.org.uk/ and-food-security

18 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012 Publications The State of the World’s Land Achieving Food Security in the Food Systems Failure: and Water Resources for Food Face of Climate Change The Global Food Crisis and the and Agriculture Summary for policy makers from the Future of Agriculture Food and Agriculture Organization of the Commission on Sustainable Agriculture £65 United Nations and Climate Change This book provides a critical assessment £29.99 The Commission on Sustainable of the contemporary global food system By 2050, food production is projected Agriculture and Climate Change has in light of the heightening food crisis, to increase by about 70 percent globally reviewed the scientific evidence to identify as evidence of its failure to achieve food and nearly 100 percent in developing a pathway to achieving food security security for the world’s population. A key countries. This incremental demand for in the context of climate change. Food aspect of this failure is identified in the food, together with demand from other systems must shift to better meet human neoliberal strategies which emphasize competing uses, will place unprecedented needs and, in the long term, balance with industrial efficiencies, commodity pressure on many agricultural production planetary resources. This will demand production and free trade-ideologies that systems across the world. These ‘systems major interventions, at local to global underlie agricultural and food policies at risk’ are facing growing competition scales, to transform current patterns in what are frequently referred to as for land and water resources and they of food production, distribution and ‘developed countries’. are often constrained by unsustainable consumption. Investment, innovation, The book examines both the agricultural practices. They therefore and deliberate effort to empower the contradictions in the global food system require particular attention and specific world’s most vulnerable populations will as well as the implications of existing remedial action. be required to construct a global food system that adapts to climate change and ideologies of production associated with The State of the World’s Land and Water ensures food security while minimizing commodity industrial agriculture using Resources for Food and Agriculture greenhouse gas emissions and sustaining evidence from relevant international case (SOLAW) analyses a variety of options for our natural resource base. Greatly studies. overcoming constraints and improving expanded investments in sustainable www.routledge.com/books/ resource management in these areas of agriculture, including improving details/9781849712293/?utm_ heightened risk. In each location, a mix supporting infrastructure and restoring source=FCRN+Mailing&utm_ of changes in institutional and policy degraded ecosystems, are an essential campaign=4b3adf080d-FCRN-Mailing- measures will have to be combined with component of long-term economic 24-Nov&utm_medium=email greater access to technologies for better development. The sooner they are made, management of land and water resources. the greater the benefits will be. Increased investments; access to novel financing mechanisms; and international http://ccafs.cgiar.org/ cooperation and development assistance commission/reports?utm_ will also help overcome these constraints. source=FCRN+Mailing&utm_ campaign=4b3adf080d-FCRN-Mailing- www.fao.org/nr/solaw/solaw-home/en/ 24-Nov&utm_medium=email Films More CSA inspiration Nuttery at Smallcombe on the Great Urban Roots Watch short films from inspirational British Food Revival The film follows the urban farming CSAs on the Soil Association website. Transition Bath planted this nuttery at phenomenon in Detroit and offers an www.soilassociation.org/ Smallcombe Vale in February 2011 and alternative sustainable future to a nation communitysupportedagriculture/ were back in August to weed around the grappling with collapsing industry. medialibrary trees and mulch with the BBC filming! http://vimeo.com/22102417 www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLI Edible Landscapes London oe436WYQ&list=UUNf5xVGPsMy BrightFarms A showcase garden that’s the oeH0dm2v9vwQ&feature=plcp&u BrightFarms operates hydroponic cutting edge of no-dig, agroforestry, tm_source=Transition+Bath+News rooftop greenhouses at grocery retailers, predominantly perennial and definitely letter&utm_campaign=c8d15fb8c2- eliminating time, distance and cost from low-maintenance gardening. TB+Newsletter+November&utm_ the food supply chain. www.energybulletin.net/ medium=email www.sustaination.co.uk/2011/10/ stories/2011-11-29/edible-landscapes- brightfarms-reduce-supply-chain-to- london about-10-vertical-metres/

19 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012 Odds & ends Good planning policy in Become a CSA advocate in practice Europe! Brighton and Hove City Council have Would you like to travel to Europe to talk Podcasts adopted new planning policies to about CSAs? The Soil Association has encourage new developments to include received EU funding to support the growth Dickson Despommier on the Rise of food growing spaces. Food Matters of CSA in Europe by organising exchange the Vertical Farm has written the Planning Advice Note visits of CSA farmers and organisers. So Despite some notable detractors, (PAN) in collaboration with the planning we are looking for volunteers including Dickson Despommier is profoundly department and as part of the Harvest CSA farmers and growers, organisers of optimistic that this is how we will project. established CSAs and people who can feed our exploding population, and speak confidently about CSA models and Although not obligatory, the PAN early ventures from Korea to the development in the UK, to travel to Europe encourages developers to think creatively Netherlands show signs he may be between January–April 2012. European about using walls, roofs and balconies right. hosts will organise for UK representatives for food growing when space is limited. to speak to farmers and organisers www.treehugger.com/treehugger- Several developments in the City have in other countries. Travel expenses radio/dickson-despommier-podcast. already incorporated growing spaces, are covered. If you are interested, html most notably One Brighton which provides please contact Jade at jbashford@ roof top allotments for residents. soilassociation.org Profile: Cheryl Rogowski For more information visit Majora Carter visits the northern www.sustainweb.org/ reaches of the New York metropolitan Flavrbox appeal area, where Cheryl Rogowski, a fourth- generation farmer, grows 200 varieties Flavrbox is a new social enterprise of fruits and vegetables. Setting up a cider co-operative initiative that aims to bring local produce at work direct to the doors of people unable to www.thepromisedland.org/ Cider clubs are a new flavour of co- visit their local farmers’ market, yet which episode/16-cheryl-rogowski operative. Setting up a cider co-op at operates on a national scale. Local currencies, Transition work is an easy and sociable way to make It is appealing for support to help fund Councils and Declarations of Food the most of one of the UK’s most unsung a series of 12 short videos which will Independence: it must be the fruits. promote selected local producers – October Transition podcast! allowing them to tell their story of how The Co-operatives UK booklet gives a few Including the latest from the Brixton food is produced, and giving consumers a pointers on how you and your colleagues Pound; the Wiltshire town whose better understanding of the true value of can start your own cider co-op, and enjoy Town Council just voted to become food. To find out more about the project your own liquid dividend in the very near a Transition Council; and the and how you can help, visit: future. Yorkshire valley that recently declared www.uk.coop/fruity www.sponsume.com/project/flavrbox- independence from the global food change-world-one-bite-time system.

FREE mentoring support and www.energybulletin.net/ The Park Café stories/2011-11-14/local- study visits still available from currencies-transition-councils-and- the Making Local Food Work The Cooking Company has expanded and declarations-food-independence-it- is now operating two cafés – from its old must-b programme home at the Folk House Café and its new Would you appreciate the advice of an venture, the café at the Park Community Radio 4: The Food Programme experienced mentor or the chance for Centre in Knowle West. Dan Saladino explores how higher your group to visit another CSA? These The Park is on the site of the old food prices are changing what we Skillshare opportunities are only available Merrywood Boys School, which closed buy and how we eat. From increases until March 2012. For more information in 1999. It is a 60’s building and has a in food related crime to shortages of contact Olivia olivia.gardner@plunkett. kitchen so vast that from the New Year, ingredients, what else is in store? co.uk or visit the website: it will be shared with the Cookery School www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/ www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/about/ from Bordeaux Quay. b0183p6c Enterprise_Support.cfm http://theparkknowle.co.uk/

20 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012 Regular things Easton Community Allotment GROFUN Action Weekends never been before then you can ring Joe on 07840 059079 to tell us you’re coming. Every Thursday 12–4pm (5pm summer) Ashley Vale Allotments, St Werburghs www.sustainableredland.org.uk/what- Every week, from noon Saturdays & We are a beautiful, green enclave nestled Sundays can-i-do/metford-road-community-orchard on the edge of Easton. It’s a social space for people who want to grow vegetables, Ashley Vale Allotments are just behind The Royate Hill Community Orchard drink tea and share the harvest. Farm pub, Hopetoun Road, St Werburghs. No experience necessary – just drop in. Drag on your wellies and come and give an Regular monthly workdays Email for map/directions: hour or two. Refreshments provided. 1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month [email protected] Phone Nadia 0797 3847894 for more info. 11am–4pm (drop by anytime, but cleaning up starts around 3pm)

Eastside Roots volunteer days Metford Rd Community Orchard As well as the fruit trees, we also plant Stapleton Road Train Station Usually third Sunday of the month vegetables, and whoever shows up for 10.30am–4.30pm Wednesdays & Fridays workdays when there is a harvest, gets to Meet at Metford Road Gates (green metal Trinity Community Arts Centre garden take food home. Drinks available, bring gate in between numbers 37 and 39) at 12 noon–5pm every Thursday snacks to share. Tools and gardening about 11.30am, bring gardening gloves. gloves provided. There is also a compost Improve your local community, meet new There should be a notice on the gate toilet at the orchard. Everybody welcome, friends, learn new skills and keep fit. telling you a mobile number to ring if we’re regardless of experience. Email: [email protected] already there, and we’ll come and let you www.eastsideroots.org.uk in. If there’s no notice, and nobody there For more information: – you’re the first, be patient! If you’ve www.kebelecoop.org/?page_id=28

Regular markets Slow Food Market Corn Street, Now on Facebook! 1st Sunday of the month 10am–3pm Ashton Court Farmers’ Market Bristol’s local food update is now on Tobacco Factory Market Stables Courtyard, 3rd Sunday of the Facebook. Corner of Raleigh Road/North Street, month 10.30am–2.30pm Southville, Sundays 10am–2.30pm www.facebook.com/ Bristol Farmers’ Market Westbury-on-Trym Market pages/Bristols-local-food- Corn Street, Wednesdays 9.30am– Medical Centre Car Park, Westbury Hill, update/117246931647992?created#!/ 2.30pm 4th Saturday of the month, 9am–1pm pages/Bristols-local-food- Friday Food Market, Wine Street (except December) update/117246931647992?v=info 10am–4pm. Whiteladies Road Market Harbourside Market Corner of Whiteladies Road and Apsley Every weekend outside the Watershed Road, 1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month, 11am–4pm. 8.30am–2pm Bristol’s local food update Long Ashton Village Market, Village Hall, saVe THe GReen BeLT sPecIaL may–june 2009 HEN hundreds of us last year took the Eat the Change challenge and tried to spend a Save our soils – use our soils weekW eating only local, organic food free Richard Spalding from plastic packaging, we discovered just how limited local sustainable food It is great to hear that in the near future is. There are myriad reasons for this, but we might see beef cattle grazing historic the reality remains that with fossil fuels Stoke park as Bristol City Council begin 1st Saturday of the month 9.30am–1pm likely to become extremely scarce within to think through reconnections between our lifetimes and food miles contributing town and countryside. I would want to so intensely to climate change, we will

soon have little choice but to produce the camera lens up and over this idyllic most of our food locally. In light of this, scene to settle on “the Blue Finger”. it is essential that we start preparing Smallholdings in Frenchay now by ring fencing land for sustainable I have coined this phrase to get us all food production now. thinking about high quality agricultural the M32 becoming an edible landscape land on the north Bristol fringe which for the city. It would be a beacon for a Transition Network is beginning to used to be at the heart of what was called new AGRI-CULTURE which would help to explore how Britain can best feed itself, the Bristol Dairying and Market Garden nourish our bellies and our communities. analysing Britain’s land potential for Sub-Region. We can follow a blue [colour- It would mark the beginning of a truly food production in light of nutritional coded] fi nger of high quality soils on the sustainable agriculture which reconnects needs, climate change, fl ood predictions, 1953 Agricultural Land Classifi cation map people and the land. It would celebrate soil quality, population densities etc. But of England and Wales which shows a strip the importance of city and countryside what is already overwhelmingly obvious of fertile land stretching from Frenchay, working together to deliver food security. is that we will need every inch of land through Hambrook and Winterbourne and Impossible you say? suitable for food production, in both the out into open country. The post Second countryside and cities, if we are going to One thing is certain in my mind; the idea War assessment of land and soil quality be able to feed ourselves in the future. of covering up the best farm land in the shows just how such land was valued as a country with city extensions, park and This edition of Bristol’s Local Food strategically important resource under the rides and notions of green infrastructure Update shines the spotlight on how banner of “Best and Most Versatile” soils need to be challenged, in order that food Some of the content for this Making local food work newsletter Bristol’s Green Belt and agricultural for local food production. produced from these soils takes its right - hinterlands are increasingly being given The soils are deep, red, largely stone- ful place at the discussion table. There are over to development in the pursuit of free and close to the city. They have the some signs that we are beginning to think further economic growth (largely in capacity to help feed us, especially in the again about the importance of the soil and response to central government targets), context of climate change, peak oil and the land to ALL our futures and I would like despite the increasing imperative to food insecurity. The soils themselves now to see Bristol and South Gloucestershire save our soils for food production. lie largely derelict, the market gardens Councils working together to enable the The Avon Green Belt, an area fi ve times having fallen prey to the global food re-creation of the food economies on and newsletter is taken from the following www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk the size of Bristol and predominantly economy and the land now de-valued for around the “Blue Finger”. classifi ed as farmland (but much of food production. We need to audit this I am very keen to establish a wide-ranging which currently lies fallow) is being private and public land to establish just set of debates about this topic and am increasingly earmarked by Local how possible it might be to re-create a convinced that it might be possible to Authorities for developments such local foodscape for our region. begin looking forward to another, and as 117,000 new houses in the South There is much to gain from doing this arguably more important, “dig for victory” West. We all need to act now to ensure and my campaign seeks to mobilise campaign. I sense that the cattle of Stoke that Bristol City Council ring fences all another “dig for victory” campaign Park might just be the idea that sparks suitable land for food production: read e-newsletters: to allow food communities, new food a new and regionally important symbol on and stay in touch to fi nd out how to businesses and all of us eaters to begin around which to secure and re-invent our make your voice heard. the process of re-shaping our local food local foodscapes. If you want to contribute Claire Milne culture. I have a vision for this foodscape to this debate, then please contact me at: Food Climate Research network Transition Bristol and Bristol Food Hub which sees the northern gateway along [email protected] Soil Association e-news www.fcrn.org.uk www.soilassociation.org/ Contact Tara Garnett Bristol’s local food update TodaysNewsLogin/tabid/639/Default. [email protected] If you didn’t receive this PDF by email, you aspx can send a subscription request for future LACORS Food Vision newsletter issues to be sent direct to you, to: www.foodvision.gov.uk/pages/ Garden Organic e-news [email protected] www.gardenorganic.org.uk/e-news/ publications Subscribers will be e-mailed a maximum sign_up.php F3 Local food news of three times between issues of the Urban Agriculture newsletter www.localfood.org.uk/index.html newsletter, with any event information that missed the deadline. www.sustainweb.org/cityharvest/ Voscur newsletter/ This issue of Bristol’s local food update www.voscur.org/news was compiled by Jane Stevenson, Growing Schools newsletter Dorothy Greaves and Kristin Sponsler. Food Lovers Britain www.growingschools.org.uk Design by Jane Stevenson: www.foodloversbritain.com/register/ www.janestevensondesign.co.uk Community supported agriculture register.php The views expressed in this newsletter & organic buying groups project Defra’s SD scene newsletter are not necessarily endorsed by the City newsletter Council. http://sd.defra.gov.uk/subscribe/ Email: [email protected]

21 bristol’s local food update · january–february 2012