Food for All

The ‘Talk Wellbeing’ service to communities around Herefordshire is offered via pop-up clinics in Hereford and the market towns, as well as via a specially adapted van that will visit many sites throughout the county.

Our experienced and friendly healthcare professionals will be out and about to offer a range of NHS services aimed to help people improve their health and wellbeing.  These services include:

• How to reduce risk of heart disease and stroke
• Cholesterol checks
• Blood pressure checks
• Practical advice on how to make changes to your health
• Signposting to services and community groups that are available  (including community food /growing projects)

We're SO PROUD of this! So many people are working towards joined up, good value, nature-friendly food in Herefordshire and this shows how worthwhile that hard work has been!

The County of Herefordshire is a BRONZE Sustainable Food Place!

Over 85 diners enjoyed a 3 course meal at The Bookshop Hereford in the last of three “100% Herefordshire” Autumn Feasts on Tuesday 14 November.

As well as great local food they were treated to a surprise announcement that the County has achieved a Bronze award from Sustainable Food Places - recognising the collaboration and hard work that’s gone into all areas of the food system in Herefordshire, from food banks through community gardens to restaurants and farming. 

The Department for Work and Pensions’ Household Support Fund (Fund) is money given to councils to support residents with the cost of essentials including food. It was first launched on 6 October 2021. It has been extended several times and it’s worth £2 billion over its lifetime. It has become a lifeline for councils to be able to support our most vulnerable residents and for projects in food emergency networks to be able to support people to access healthy food.

More information about how it's used in Herefordshire can be found here-  this weekend for example there's a free lunch event at Baron's Cross in Leominster.

https://www.facebook.com/events/362417866454557

Barnardo’s, the Children’s Society, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the Independent Food Aid Network, End Furniture Poverty, North-East Child Poverty Commission, Lloyds Bank Foundation and Turn2Us issued the following statement about the fund's need to continue:

In the week King Charles launched an initiative linking food waste and food poverty, it feels like a good time to remind ourselves what is going on in our county linking - tackling - those two things.

As well as the recent gleaning projectmaking good use of surplus crops, there are initiatives to share surplus across a number of community larder / food projects.  Check out info here of how to share your surplus. 

Coming up: 

There are low cost lunches using surplus in three locations in Hereford - details here 

Leominster Food Share every Wednesday

The Zero Waste Stall in Ross

We have a growing map here where you can see surplus and community food projects near you (it's the same map where you can find out local food to purchase, there are different layers)

"Come along to our friendly Lunch Clubs and cook together a delicious and hearty lunch which we'll sit down and eat together after we've prepared it.

Lunch Clubs are relaxed and fun opportunities to chat and make new friends and share and learn new skills and recipes. No cooking experience necessary! The dishes we cook will depend on surplus and seasonal produce available and will change each week.

News from Sustainable Food Places:

"Community groups, charities and even small groups of neighbours would be able to cultivate fruit and vegetables on suitable council land in what campaigners say will provide healthy local food, boost mental health and revive neglected spaces.

Hull councillors unanimously passed the “right to grow” motion that means the council will produce a map of suitable land it owns and help those who want to grow food on it overcome practical obstacles such as insurance or provision of water for the plants.

Watch again:  The Sustainable Food Places webinar on steps that we can take towards rolling out school meals for all primary children.

"London, Wales and Scotland are rolling out school meals for primary school children, while a handful of local authorities are taking innovative steps to expand current provision of free school meals.

Come and hear from the trailblazers on their journeys toward school food for all, as well as the Children’s Food Campaign and their Say Yes Campaign.

Find out what your area can do next toward a universal approach and an end to the postcode lottery on school meals.

https://www.sustainablefoodplaces.org/events/roadmap-to-action-universal-free-school-meals/

From Growing Local:

"Our next BIG EAT community lunch is on Saturday 25th November at The Kindle Centre

This time we shall be cooking a selection of curries, samosas and fruity puds

Come along anytime from 10am to help cook together a delicious buffet curry lunch

All welcome including families (we always have lots of children’s cook activities)

"We have changed our Volunteer Day hours a little - we'll be on site each Tuesday between 10am and 1pm (weather permitting). Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register your interest in volunteering on our Growing Local Gardens site and for details of how to find us.

Thanks folks,Lou and the Growing Local Team"

Reasons to be cheerful 😁

A few highlights from our picking and processing partnership diverting produce from wasteful to useful

many creates picked, many litres of juice (60 litres in one session!) slices for the freezer...

All good for the winter at Ledbury Food Bank and The Living Room Hereford

The Alliance is about both reducing food waste and food for ALL, so this is a double win.

PLus we have so many more links now too with orchards, growers, community projects. More plans will come!

One more opportunity to get stuck in- central Hereford, this Saturday. Join us!

PLUS if you help out with this or any community initiative in Herefordshire we're inviting you to breakfast, FREE next weekend!!

Next weekend, come to the Breakfast on the Farm - our AUtumn Feast Launch- completely on us. Here's the freebie link. Transport from Hereford, Ross and Ledbury provided.

Let us know you're coming before Tuesday 17th!

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Riverford Organics have created a petition asking all supermarkets to commit to 5 sourcing principles.

"Almost half (49%) of British fruit and veg farmers fear they will go out of business within the next 12 months. 75% report that supermarket behaviour is a leading factor.*

If all supermarkets committed to these principles, the lives of farmers would be transformed - giving them stability, a reliable income, and protecting the future of British food and farming for the long term."

We're writing an open letter to the supermarkets,calling for change - but government support is vital too. Add your voice to ours by signing our petition. It's quick, easy, and will make a big difference. We're aiming for 100,000 signatures so that this can be debated in Parliament"

FInd out more and sign here

So - what do we all really want from food?

The National Food Conversationhas been published and it's fascinating, and easily digestable!

Thousands of people were asked, in a variety of ways, about the potential things that could happen to improve our system.

The headlines are below  - but the conversation found overhwelmingly that people - across ages and political spectrums -  want substantial changes.

Sharing news below of Little Pomona's Open Day this Sunday in Bromyard - there are many more celebratory Apple Events over the next two weeks!

This post has a round up of most- which includes the Hereford AppleFest listings and others.  There's also more apple fun with the two Alliance cooking sessions with surplus produce for Ledbury and Hereford Food Banks and Larders.  Please continue to share these gleaning events, thanks.

From Pomona:

"Come and enjoy Hereford AppleFest with us during our Open Day this weekend!

We had a great first outing for the Herefordshire Gleaning Network this Sunday, picking 60kg of Bramley apples which might have otherwise gone to waste. We will be stewing and pressing these apples at our community cooking day this Sunday  8^th October at Ledbury Community Hub at Pot and Page 11-3 so come along! If you have any surplus apples then bring them down to be made into juice for the Ledbury Food bank and stewed apples to put their new freezer!

Recent research has shown some interesting things about Growing Your Own... 

When UK households have access to growing their own produce, they can produce more than half of their own food - and waste almost none. Food for thought!

"Household fruit and vegetable production in allotments and gardens can provide sustainable access to nutritious food. The present study demonstrates that UK household fruit and vegetable production supplies more than half of the vegetables and potatoes and 20% of the fruit that growers consume annually. Importantly, study participants ate 6.3 portions of their recommended 5-a-day fruit and vegetable(70% higher than the UK national average), and their wasted fruit and vegetable was 95% lower than the national average. This provides key evidence to demonstrate the role household fruit and vegetableproduction could play in providing access to fresh fruit and vegetable, which is key to a healthy, food-secure population.

 https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ppp3.10413

Calling all community groups in Herefordshire – there’s a survey that’s seeking your views.

Sustainability West Midlands, in partnership with Herefordshire Council, are developing a user-led climate change adaptation plan for the county.  It’s about Herefordshire’s people, environment, infrastructure, buildings – helping to ensure they’re protected from the impacts of climate change.

Your thoughts on how the county is already dealing with extreme weather events, and what more it needs to do, will form a key part of the plan’s content, and will better enable the actions going to the right organisation.

The survey, is specifically asking for views from community groups within Herefordshire.  The survey closes at 5pm on Thursday 28 September. Thank you.

https://online1.snapsurveys.com/interview/de25a02c-c7b0-44aa-b500-271eba82c505

Through the Food Farming and Countryside Commission:

"The National Conversation About Food kicked off in summer 2023 with a question: what do we really want from food? During a series of public dialogues, citizens from Birmingham and Cambridgeshire looked at the science behind what we eat and how we eat, the way our food is produced and marketed, its impact on climate and nature, the availability of healthy food, and the potential to change things for better.

The findings from the National Conversation About Food will be published later this month, with plans to continue the conversation across all four UK nations.

To get the report straight to your inbox sign up to our newsletter"

https://ffcc.co.uk/news-and-press/what-do-people-really-think-about-food

You can also hear the FFCC Chief Executive Sue Pritchard on BBC Radio Wales discussing supermarket power and the #GetFairAboutFarming campaign. https://ffcc.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=77d5d0e66eba93e66584d4c5b&id=a462983580&e=b4dfee48cd interview starts at 1:48:02

Use a free pass to enjoy some Herefordshire beauty, some of it producing our food, this Autumn:

"Take a stroll surrounded by colour, spot wildlife and connect with nature when you escape into autumn. Experience the awe of the season at places in our care by claiming a free, single-use pass to use between 18 September and 20 October 2023."

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/escape-into-autumn

Sometime today - or tomorrow, or this week (but soon!) take two minutes out of your day, have a cup of tea, sit back and take a look at this video.

It's hard to explain what an interconnected web of things looks like, why it's so important and why we shuold spend time connecting in this way.

But this video really helps.

It's why our picking and cooking days this Autumn are being run with at least 6 different partners and we're keeping them all informed about what each other is doing

It's why those picking days will lead into the Autumn feasts, which in turn will connect with over 30 producers.

It's why we are going for a Bronze Award to show that we are indeed a Sustainable Food Place here in Herefordshire.

We need connection and a voice now more than ever, for both our local and our global health.  Please share this post and encourage people to stay connected with the Alliance.

One month to go til the jewel month in the crown of Herefordshire.  Archery - a Honey Show - Ukeleles - a BANQUET - Performing Arts - The month of the Apple will have plenty to bring it alive!

Hereford's AppleFestand its fringe festival will have events big and small, a history walk, trails, a banquet and much more.  If you have an event in Herefordshire - they will host on their site.  Get in touch.

Harvesttime with the Big Apple is also equally laden with low hanging and high fruity loveliness! over 30 events.

The Food Alliance picking and processing project has events too that we will feature everywhere we can, on the above sites and beyond! We'll be venturing into orchards that need picking and making the produce is used well for those that need it.  Please join us!

**Updated times and info**

Please share these inclusive picking and cooking opportunities with everyone you know in Ledbury, Hereford and Llangarron (and beyond!)  and help reduce food waste - and get people fed - in Herefordshire this Autumn.

Our picking and community cooking days will make sure surplus and unpicked food does not go to waste.

Help the whole county get recognised for its work to make great food happen here in Herefordshire.

This Herefordshire Food Alliance formed in January 2021, coming out of the Food Poverty Alliance and the Food and Tourism Partnership.

Soon after that we were able to become members of the Sustainable Food Places network - linking us to everything else going on nationwide to build great local food econoomies, supporting us with funding and meaning we can get more done locally.

The whole county has been really busy since - you can see from the blog! you can see from the blog!

Come and join our Growing Local educational team and help deliver our outdoor garden-based workshops and events. We are looking for inspiring and energetic people with a passion for growing and working with children, young people, families and adults.

Our exciting Growing Local Gardens project in South Wye is part of the Southside Project, one of fifteen trailblazing #StrongerHereford projects tranforming our city. From the Autumn of 2023 we will begin development our new Growing Local Gardens site creating a children educational garden, market gardens, orchards and picnic areas. We will initially need sessional staff to assist in youth and adult guided volunteer sessions to help develop the site, and from April 2024 to assist in our garden educational workshop programme for visitors of all ages.

My Food Community is a free programme  open to anyone who is making good food happen in their community.  It would be great to take advantage of this in Herefordshire...

"The My Food Community programme is an accelerated food leadership course that brings together masterclasses, learning and inspiration sessions to help you channel food solutions in your community.  The course is designed as a personal development programme to support participants to build knowledge, connect with others who champion good food and develop leadership skills. 

We've come across this case study - A farm in East Ayrshire and East Ayrshire Council in a partnership to get local, organic packaging-free milk through vending machines to schools.

Do you know of anything similar here in Herefordshire?  Any ideas or contacts for how to make this happen in our county?  Vending machines are growing here so maybe it's time to talk to the schools and caterers...?

An early heads-up that Eaton Barn have a volunteer day on September 10th.  Featuring an opportunity to get involved with the garden blitz and a celebration of all the growing and baking that's happened in their recent project. 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

They've also put a call out for volunteers:

"We need volunteer helpers on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Could you help our participants to take part in lots of different activities at Eaton Barn? An interest in gardening and/or outdoorsy skills is helpful, but it's your amazing people skills and ability to have fun and communicate well with our participants that is most important. Travel expenses are provided, plus the opportunity to be part of an amazing team and enjoy regular cakes! Message us, or contact our Volunteer Co-Ordinator This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thank you"

Vera at Sustain has put some thoughts together after Pride Month around LGBT representation in food circles.  The full article is here, and there are couple of ideas for connection below.

"This Pride Month we are celebrating some wonderful community food projects that actively work to involve LGBTQ+ people and create safe and affirming spaces to enjoy and engage with food – read on to be inspired!

Spotlight on a community garden:

Based at Headway Herefordshire, Growing Point offer therapeutic gardening sessions weekly.

"Herefordshire Growing Point began as a registered charity to provide horticultural therapy in Herefordshire. Now, with our charity manager and a team of tutors and volunteers, we offer weekly gardening sessions for about 200 clients. All our funding comes from donations and grants from charitable trusts and individuals."

Do you know a place where people grow together?

We're working on a map - you can suggest additions on this form here.

(The map will also have info on where to BUY good food and EAT it too - watch this space!)

Picking and Processing Plans now up and running!

Thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund we're now putting in to practice some of the ideas from the surplus event back in November last year.

We're networking community groups, orchards, farmers and food banks to make sure if there's surplus food, it gets used.

• Sustainable Ledbury, Pot and Page Community Hub and Ledbury Food Bank will be holding volunteer days to gather apples and other produce and processing / storing them for use in the Food Bank in Autumn
• Archenfield Community Environment Group will hold a juicing day in their community with surplus apples
• Hereford Wildlife Trust will be picking an orchard that's not been picked for a while
• And we're on the lookout for the quick-turn-around opportunities that farms often have when let down by supermarkets if their crop isn't just right

If you'd like to be involved in getting more useful food to people's plates that need it - please get in touch to volunteer!

If you are a farmer who think you may have surplus, please get in touch - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  and we'll put you in touch with Ruth who is coordinating.

More information about how to deal with surplus in Herefordshire here

The goal of the alliance is to build a movement of good food - food that bnenefits nature and humans, so this project is about building the capacity of what's already going on and linking it.  Hope we can work together soon!

Talk Community have some holiday activities listedon their pages - there are more, so if they're not included and you want to share please let Talk Community know.   A number of activities have free places and come with lunch. 

Growing Local - FREE Family Gardening Sessions Tuesday 8th August

"We made the decision a few months ago to not run our usual childrens and family cook workshops this summer, so that we can focus our energy on lifting our Growing Local Gardens project off the ground.  We are really pleased to instead be able to offer families a morning or afternoon of garden activities at our future Growing Local Gardens site. All details on the flyer, booking via Eventbrite only:

MORNING 10 - 12.30

AFTERNOON 2 - 5.30

Update:  We're now planning three feasts, probably over three weeks between October and November in three different locations.

We'll be looking for producers who have food that is working with nature in Herefordshire, and are looking to increase their routes to market and sales.  So please get in touch if you're interested in selling us your produce. 

________

Producers - Organisers - Farmers - Venues - Retailers -

Please help make a FEAST happen in late Autumn, showcasing nature-friendly food production in the county for everyone and leading to more visibility of the food that is building our economy AND our planet.

We've seen a few food jobs this week to share:

...And we're still keen to hear from Freelancers with project, organisation, outreach and events experience who are keen to build this movement in Herefordshire.  Check out our role at the end. 

The Fold | Tack Farm | Crumplebury | Food Alliance

From the Eden Project...

"We’ve very recently launched a lovely new initiative in partnership with the RSPB, More Human and members of the Community Action collective: Community Nature Trails.

The idea is to help communities create their own local map of the local public sights, activities, events, and projects connected to nature where they live this summer – as another great way to support strong mental and physical health and bring people together with nature and each other."

Have a look at tthe process - could we get together and do some trails here in Herefordshire?  Let us know!

Food Specialist (Full Time) – Jamie’s Farm Hereford

Deadline to apply:30/06/2023

A great opportunity for a passionate and creative individual to join our positive and dynamic team working in beautiful countryside and be a part of a growing national charity, which is transforming the lives of vulnerable young people at risk of social and academic exclusion. There is a potential for on-site accommodation if required.

https://jamiesfarm.org.uk/jobs/

https://jamiesfarm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Food-Specialist-PDF.pdf

3rd, 10th and 17th July - Pot and Page, Ledbury.

"We are delighted to be running sessions at the all new Pot & Page Community Hub in Ledbury! Come and join us at our fun and friendly kids group with a difference - we all cook and eat lunch together!

Everyone is welcome at a Kids Kitchen Session. Our session leaders will talk you and your child through our tasty lunch recipe and ensure everyone gets a chance to get involved. Don't worry if your little one isn't interested - the sessions are absolutely no pressure and we always have other toys available so they can dip in and out as much as they want. It's a great way to introduce your child to a wide range of healthy and delicious recipes and learn how to get kids of all ages involved in the kitchen.

News from Eaton Barn:

"Our Summer Open Day Plans just got BIGGER!
Jenny Larkham from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service Fire will be coming to our OPEN DAY at Eaton Barn on Thursday June 22nd. Jenny will be discussing fire safety and taking referrals for FREE Home Fire Safety Visits.  Come along from 10.30am to 2pm for our pop up cafe, green woodworking tasters and demos, plant and craft sale, garden tours and of course a raffle!

Landworkers Alliance Midlands are hosting an event (with Lou Aphramor of Agroecology Dept,  Coventry University)looking at food choices, balancing the decisions we make around what we want, what we should eat -  and what's good for the planet and other people.

Monday 26th June 6pm online

"How do we make sense of food values when public health message emphasise nutrients? Are you sometimes uneasy with your own food choices? However absurd we find the binary of good/bad and healthy/unhealthy it can still impact how we think and feel about food, health and our bodies.

As well as supporting the Food Alliance with funding, the Public Health Team work closely with the Food Alliance - Kristen is part of the steering team. 

The team has now won an award at the West Midlands Public Health Awards for work on sustainable food!

Kristen says:

“It was fantastic for our partnership to be recognised for all their hard work on this project. The challenges around food are obviously massive. But we can all do our bit. Buying fresh food from a farmers’ market puts money back into the local economy. Meal planning, growing your own, buying ‘wonky’ veg and in-season produce can reduce food waste, be better for the environment and benefit our health.”

This is a win for good partnership working with stong commitment from all areas of food interest around the county.  Next up, the Bronze Award for Herefordshire!

Today Pat and Lou from Growing Local signed the Southside Funding Agreement to release the Stronger Hereford Towns Fund, towards their part in this project - including a market garden and a cook school. "A monumental move forward for ourselves and our project partners Belmont Wanderers and NMITE.  Two and a half years of work and we are finally at this very significant day! I think it’s fair to say we’ll be out celebrating tonight!"

A Market Garden and Cook School for Hereford is on the way!

https://growinglocal.org.uk/the-growing-local-summer-newsletter/

Here's Martin Lines, chair of the Nature Friendly Farming Network's thoughts on the Food Summit hosted by the Prime Minister and DEFRA this week:

"The last 18 months have highlighted the fragility of our food system, which has lurched from one crisis to another. With extortionate input costs, weather extremes and soaring food prices, it’s been a challenging period, to say the very least. What can’t be ignored in conversations about food security is how these circumstances lock heads at the same intersection: climate change, nature loss and dietary ill-health.

From Growing Local:

"This Saturday it’s our Big Spanish Eat @ The Kindle Centre #hereford

Come along and help cook a delicioso Spanish feast

Doors open at 10am, come along any time

Lunch around 1pm

All welcome: cooks, washer-uppers, servers - or just come along to chat & eat

Food, farming and nature are featuring in this month's County Council election demands - and promises.

 Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, Herefordshire CPRE, Friends of the Upper Wye and Friends of the Lower Wye are calling for new allotment sites to be established - at least 50 plots, plus rewards for farmers shifting to 'sustainable and regenerative methods of production'.  More about the Hustings that was convened, and the pledges of the panel that attended, here.

Another chance to find out about the Southside Project and Growing Local's new market garden on Saturday.  "Fitness Football and Food"

More info at Growing Local's website.

https://growinglocal.org.uk/growing-local-gardens-open-days-events-april-may-2023/

"We are planning on holding three open events in April and May to talk to people about how they can get involved in our project by:

– volunteering to help develop the site into our market gardens, educational garden and orchard areas – we are looking for help in everything from gardening to hedge laying, carpentry to bee keeping!

– taking on a future vegetable crop share

– coming along to our workshops, events and training opportunities (for schools, families, children, young people and adults)

Meet Tracy from the Wildlife Trust in Leominster at the weekend and find out about growing your own food and flowers...

As part of the Nextdoor Nature project.

"We understand that many people are put off or prevented from growing things due to a lack of space, knowledge or money.

We want to help change this because the more produce we grow the happier our wildlife will be.

We can all work together to share knowledge, growing spaces, ideas and the items we need to do this as a Community Growing Group.

If you would like to find out more and get involved Tracy from Herefordshire Wildlife Trust and Lynsey from Age UK Mens Shed will be at Leominster Library, in the meeting room upstairs, on Saturday 29th April 2023 from 10am to 12pm.

Come along have a cuppa and let’s get talking.

For more information contact Tracy on 07903 069185 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it."

The 'Healthy Start' scheme supports people who are pregnant or have a child under 4 to buy good food and milk.

Healthy Start is now available as a card, and the new cards can be used anywhere with a Mastercard logo.

Do you sell good local produce, and accept Mastercard? You may be able to accept Healthy Start cards!

Do you have a young family and are you claming Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit?

You may be able to support GREAT local sustainable food without spending another penny! Check your eligibility for Healthy Start here.

If you know a local business selling locally produced sustainable produce who is also accepting Healthy Start - let us know and we'll shout about it.

To support more families to find out about this, there are many resources to access.

The Fold are launching a CSA - community supported agriculture where you can be part of a thriving farm, and get vegetables, without living on a farm!

"As a Member of the Fold Community Farm, you purchase a “veg share” which gives you a weekly veg box of freshly-picked, organic, seasonal produce, delivered to your chosen collection point.

As a bonus, you will enjoy free community events, such as guided farm tours, communal meals and volunteer days on the farm! You’ll also get to vote on how the scheme is run."

Grants to Develop Community Food Hubs

The Hubbub Foundation, in partnership with Starbuck’s, is making funding available to develop their network of community fridges into food hubs to help local residents learn about sustainable, affordable and healthy living. Up to 50 community fridge groups will benefit from grants of £7,000 to deliver new activities relating to cooking, growing, budgeting and using surplus food. 

Are you a Herefordshire Secondary School?  Apply for a fully funded place on Bite Back's School Food Champions programme!

Herefordshire Food Alliance would love to support your application, and incorporate the food champions in your school in all our other work countywide - steering group, events etc.  Get in touch!

"School is the single biggest opportunity we have to ensure every child is getting the food they need to thrive - but right now, that is not the reality. School Food Champions was created to change this!

https://www.biteback2030.com/school-food-champions-sign-now

I am excited to let you know that applications are now open for secondary schools to join Bite Back 2030’s School Food Champions (SFC) programme. We have fully funded spaces for 50 schools to begin delivering the programme in September 2023.

Opportunity for a HEAD GROWER to set up a CSA Market Garden in Hereford

From Growing Local:

"We are offering a fantastic opportunity for an experienced agroecological/organic grower to enable Growing Local to establish a new 16 acre CSA market garden within walking distance of Hereford City.

The market garden forms part of the development of The Southside Project transforming 35 acres of green space on the edge of the city into a vibrant community destination with sports pitches, gardens, a community hub learning space, affordable cafe, farm shop and field to fork cook school. The project is funded by Hereford’s Stronger Towns Fund.

An update from Growing Local:

"Our project is rapidly taking shape and we now due to take over our 3-field 16-acre site immediately after Easter!

We are planning on holding three open events in April and May to talk to people about how they can get involved in our project by:

– volunteering to help develop the site into our market gardens, educational garden and orchard areas – we are looking for help in everything from gardening to hedge laying, carpentry to bee keeping!

– taking on a future vegetable crop share

– coming along to our workshops, events and training opportunities (for schools, families, children, young people and adults)

And so, so much more!

It's Good to Grow day in a month, which was previously called the Big Dig, and as well as a one day celebration of community food growing projects they also now have a map.

We had been thinking of creating a map of Herefordshire community gardens, and linking them up - or we could use this lovely map that already exists?!

What do you think?

You can register your garden here - please let us know when you do!

Let us know of a local garden near you and we'll contact

Another Big Eat from Growing Local at the Kindle Centre...

"Our next Big Eat event is on Saturday 25th March at The Kindle Centre Hereford. This time we’re celebrating the foods of Turkey and Syria and cooking together a delicious meze feast.

Stalls needed for Whitecross School community eco-event:

SPRING INTO ACTION!

Friday 21^st April from 2 – 5.30pm.

Come and help us celebrate the power of youth and nature!

Whitecross eco-club, Our Planet – Our Future, have been working hard to design and fund-raise for their new garden, myawaki forest and tree nursery.  Jesse Norman MP will be planting a tree at 3.30, followed by a Q and A in the Main Hall. 

 Can you offer a stall with any of the following?

• Local organic food

The Courtyard are hosting a series of 'Food For Families' events The events will feature a FREE hot buffet meal and fun arts activities from 11.30am. 

 Edgar St, Hereford HR4 9JR

Activity sessions will include: 

Create Your Own Sea Scape on Saturday 18th March

Animal Crafts on Saturday 25th March.

Part of a whole heap of 'Winter of Wellbeing'activities... more on the Talk Community Website

SATURDAY  18th March 10 AM – 12 PM

Bromyard Seed Swap, Gardener Discussions & More

In the delightful Ralph Court Gardens, Bromyard

"Second meet up for Seed Swap, Gardening Discussions and to share each others experiences. Tea & coffee & cakes available"

Ledbury Food Bank, Sustainable Ledbury and Severn Wye Energy will be joining many other organisations to kick off a series of roadshows in Ledbury on Saturday.  (Also tying in with Food Waste Action Week)

The next event will feature St Martin's Foodshare - in Hereford. 

"These events will give people the opportunity to seek support, and speak to organisations who can signpost and provide information on a range of issues related to the cost of living. Please note each event is unique and may contain different services."

More info being added - Spread the word...

A couple of connections have happened this week - a WhatsApp waste avoidance group and our first venture into Social Media...

We created a Whatsapp group to better distribute surplus food between community food projects.  At our last steering group meeting this came up  - very large quantities of food near their end of their life, with the issue being transport / communication to get round to people.

The Holiday Activity Programme is looking for food donations and food education with the activity providers.  Get in touch if this is your area...

‘Herefordshire's holiday activities and food programme (HAF) is running throughout the Easter holidays and is free for all school aged children age 4 to 16 (reception to year 11) who are eligible for benefit related free school meals.

We have a variety of providers across Herefordshire delivering the Easter Programme, with a fantastic range of exciting indoor and outdoor activities such as, circus skills, dance, forest school, football and crafts, all with a healthy meal during each session. Alongside this we will also be kicking off the Easter activities with a family activity Taster day on Saturday 1st April.

We are seeking to engage with local organisations who would like to get involved with HAF either through food donations for our taster day and/or programme or even getting involved in food education alongside our many providers.

This deadline is short!  but if you're part of a group already looking to set up a community allotment, growing space or improve the space you have, this is worth a look!  Eligible area is pictured.

Greening the City - Community grant scheme

"We are offering funding to support community groups to apply to enhance and increase green spaces and support the biodiversity of areas within the boundary of the Stronger Towns Fund within Hereford City. The project is part of the #StrongerHereford vision that has attracted up to £22.4m in government funding to regenerate the city.

The deadline for applications is midnight on Wednesday 22 February 2023.

Tim Shelley is an active member of our Food Alliance and also runs the Community Garden in Ross - not only a community garden with many volunteers, but ALSO a place to go for a good meal and to learn a little more about cooking good meals easily, PLUS a zero waste stall... AND they are   a Talk Community Hub open Weds to Fri too :) 

Are you part of something similar?  Sign the Food Charter, tell us what you're part of and we'll put it on our food map...

"We had a fabulous year in 2022. Here are some numbers:

#SaveTheWye is an umbrella campaign to support and build the network of organisations and individuals working to protect and restore the health of the River Wye and its tributaries, for the benefit of both wildlife and people.

When: Saturday 11th February 

Where: Tesco Bewell St, Hereford  and Tesco Station Rd, Chepstow, 11am - 1pm

There are still spaces on the Family Recipe Box Scheme for February - contact Lou, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to be part of it.

"Take part in our fund, tasty and free recipe box xheme and receive Family Recipe Kit Boxes once a week for four weeks throughout February.  Collect your boxes each Wednesday from the Kindle Centre (next to Asda) between 3 and 5pm"

Growing Local also run a lunch club and are part of the Southside project building a market garden, education opportunities and much more in Hereford.

Alliance coordinator Rebecca has been at the Oxford Real Farming Conference this week. It's now the biggest event for 'agroecological' farming (modern, mixed, with nature and food production side by side) on the planet.  It was great to see new and existing alliance contacts there!

Hear more about the ORFC on Farming Today here and below is one snapshot from Rebecca - for more snapshots check the blog.

Feeding Britain from the Ground Up.

One of the final sessions at the conference was centred around a report that makes the case for a Britain that can feed itself.

Feeding Britain From the Ground Up is an attempt to provide answers to the question: What should I eat to be healthy and sustainable?

Food Alliance Coordinator Rebecca will be heading to the Oxford Real Farming Conference in early January.

"With over 350 speakers across seven venues, January’s in-person programme offers an extensive range of keynote presentations, panel discussions and workshops on everything from farm practice to food sovereignty, land justice to farming policy, food politics to land-based traditions and knowledge."

Sustain have shared what they learned from a webinar in November about how food partnerships are placed to tackle cost-of-living challenges.  What do you think we can do as  a partnership in Herefordshire?  Get in touch.

"Food partnerships have demonstrated how their uniquely joined-up approach made for better emergency food responses during the Covid pandemic. It was hard work though; many food partnerships and food organisations feel exhausted by their efforts. Yet once again they are stepping up, responding to huge demands arising from the cost of living and its knock on effect on food insecurity. Here, we summarise in ten points what we learned from a webinar in November 2022 on the role of food partnerships and practical examples of action they are taking."

Herefordshire Council would like to hear from you about how they can improve health and wellbeing in Herefordshire.

Please take  a few moments to feed in your thoughts - this is about more than food, but obviously food is a big part of health and wellbeing!

"We are working with health services and other organisations to develop a strategy and actions to improve health and wellbeing in the county over the next 10 years. If you live or work in Herefordshire, we would like to hear from you about the things that you think are most important.

Great to have Hunderton Community Gardensigned up to the Food Charter!  Community activities including food growing in a vibrant space just south of the River Wye in Hereford.  And check out their new - stunning - mural!

If you are a community garden, let us know what you're doing - and sign up to the charter - you're already growing local and you CERTAINLY know your supply chain!  and let's share our experiences of growing good food right where we live.

Note change of time and date!  It got popular!

6-8 pm Sunday 11^th of December

Public Hall Bromyard

Talk:  Creating a Community Farm for Bromyard

Peter Lane who is organising says:

I have access to funding to set up, and build a Research & Development facility to develop systems for vertical farms, and this will create up to about thirty jobs.  As part of the project we will have training/meeting rooms as we will be providing training for those interested in the subject.

In addition to the above we want to set up the following:

• Petting zoo
• Cafe/shop
• Modern allotments suited for the less able.

Ledbury Food Group have done a great job of mobilising local businesses around the simple and tasty idea of the Big Soup- this weekend, a range of local shops and restaurants are showcasing their local wares for this event.  The Feathers, The Rugby Club, Handley Organics and many more deserve a visit!

In the run up, Kids Kitchen have joined in with a special activity ingredients bag made for Big Soup with a recipe and activity for families.  These have been distributed at the Food Bank and the Childrens Centre, and families have been given a free coupon to their upcoming Kids Kitchen sessions. Soup for All!

"Just wanted to say how great the event was"

"Thanks for the meeting - interesting and useful"

Thanks to the 50+ farmers, community projects, caterers and others for coming to Food from the Shire - it was great to have a full room and many, many thoughts shared.  We heard from farmers, caterers, community growers, food banks and larders - and we have many plans to take forward!

Many thanks to the Green Dragon Hotel for hosting, and for many Food Alliance members' input to make it happen.

Click on the image or the link to view notes, links and next steps from the event.

Food for the Shire November 2022 - Google Slides

What Next?

Exciting News:  Ledbury will hold its first Big Soup next month to celebrate local food and shine a big beaming light on the food charter. 

Nourishing food using seasonal local produce that doesn't harm the pocket!

Growing Local's next Big Eat will be on Saturday 22nd October 10am-2pm

Featuring oodles of local food cooked up by you, a great opportunity to see what's possible here in Herefordshire and enjoy an amazing meal too.

KS2 Workshop - The Big Soup

Growing Local CIC are currently designing a brand new workshop to take into primary schools this winter.

"The Big Soup will be talking around the subjects of climate and food through the medium of making a hearty pot of healthy homemade local soup.

THANKS FOR COMING!  EVENT WRITE UP HERE

Are you a farmer, grower, producer or caterer here in Herefordshire?  Do you know who could use your surplus food, where to take it and how to do it economically?

Come to a networking event to prevent food becoming waste and get it on to the county's plates!

• Green Dragon Hotel, Hereford
• 10th November 2022 3-5.30pm

What would free school meals do for Herefordshire?

 We have food banks and community larders across the county working to support people struggling to make ends meet.  Most say that supply is outstripping demand right now.

What if they could bank on every primary school child having a great meal every day?

100 civil leaders, including Sustain, are calling for this with a petition that you can sign too.

Kids Kitchen Herefordshire are Recruiting:  both trainees and sessional workers for their zero waste, from scratch family food activities.

They say:  "We are looking to expand our Herefordshire Hub with NEW sessions in NEW venues run by NEW session leaders!

We have been fortunate enough to receive some funding from the Herefordshire Community Foundation’sResilience Fund meaning we are able to recruit and train some new Herefordshire session leaders in the coming months FOR FREE – could you be one of them?!

Join our Alliance members Growing Local at another Big Eat on Saturday - this time with a Mediteranean theme.  Cooking from scratch and creating simple food for all together.  Also a good chance to talk to Pat and Louisa about the Food Charter!

Saturday 10th September 10-2

Ethos and the Living Room are creating a network of Community Larders across the county, building on their work of food surplus redistribution over the past few years.  More about this initiative to join up great projects in Herefordshire soon!

They are recruiting for a Coordinator for this Community Food Larder work.

The Herefordshire Food Alliance is a network of individuals and organisations from across the county involved in local, community and sustainable food action.

Members Pat and Louise are part of Growing Local - encourages and educates communities to grow and eat local food.  Growing Local is now also part of another exciting partnership - The Southside Project will transform 35 acres of green space south of the river in Hereford into a vibrant community destination with sports pitches, market gardens, affordable cafe and cookery school plus activities for all ages. 

Back in 2021, members of the Food Alliance asked this question of people with an interest in sustainability and food in Herefordshire. 

Here's what that room shared - what would you add?  What catches your eye?  what would you love to know more about? 

Sign the Herefordshire Food Charter, and stay in touch with what's going on!

Launched last week at a Herefordshire Green Network gathering, we're delighted to say that the Herefordshire Food Charter is now live.

Members of the Herefordshire Food Alliance have been co-ordinating, connecting, supporting and sharing across key areas of the food system in the County and this food charter is the next step in bringing activities together - and inspiring more.   Food has a huge economic, social and environmental impact and working together we can address this here in our county.

The charter means that individuals and organisations can pledge to Grow, Source, Choose, Cook, Eat, Share - and not Waste - good food.