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2. Growing:- Growing Your Own Food- Allotments- Plant a Fruit Tree Scheme

3. Buying:- Food Co-operative- Local Produce Market- Pick Your Own- Food For Free

4. Cooking:- Healthy Cooking Activities

5. Eating:- Community Café- Eating Together- Food of the World Event

1. Introduction- Healthy Eating and Menu Planning- Food Miles- Feedback Sheet

Contents

How to...

A Guide to CommunityFood ActivitiesIf you would like this pamphlet in adifferent format or in Welsh, pleasecontact Swansea Public Health Teamon 01792 784858.

Designed and Printed by DesignPrint 01792 544200 Ref.16744-07

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Growing Your Own Food What is a food growing activity?Growing your own food can be as small as growingherbs on your windowsill or as large as a communityfarm, allotment or smallholding.

What are the benefits?● can offer the chance to grow and eat organic

fruit and vegetables;

● can help to bring together people of differentabilities, ages and cultures;

● can create a sense of achievement;

● can increase confidence and skills within thecommunity, as well as in individuals;

● can help to improve people’s mental and physical health and well being;

● can give access to green spaces and exercise;

● develops awareness of gardening and farming.

What are city farms and community gardens?City farms and community gardens are community-managed projects working with people,animals and plants. They range from tiny wildlife gardens to fruit and vegetable plots on housingestates, to community poly-tunnels and large city farms.

They help people have access to green space. City farms and community gardens are oftendeveloped by local volunteers, and aim to involve the local community. Some larger communityfarms and gardens employ many workers whilst others are run solely by small groups ofdedicated volunteers. Most projects provide food-growing activities, training courses, schoolvisits, community allotments and sometimes community businesses.

There is no typical city farm or community garden as each develops according to the local areaand in response to the needs of the local community. They are places where people of all agesand from all sections of the community are welcome.

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How to...A Guide to Community Food Activities

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How to startThe sheets at the end of this section will help you to decide what kind of growing activity you oryour group might like to start. It is worth spending time over these to make sure that you knowwhat suits you best. Once you have looked at this, make contact with your local developmentworkers, or others listed at the side of the page, to discuss your ideas further.

● www.btcv.org.uk - useful fact sheets. Local contact Tel: 01792 456224/818550;

● www.environmentcentre.org.uk - Tel: 01792 480200;

● Swansea and District Organic Gardening Group, Tel: 01792 234705. Can also be found underLocal Groups on www.gardenorganic.org.uk.

FundingIf you need money to run your activity you may want to look for grant aid. To do this you willneed to be a constituted group with a bank account. Contact Swansea Council for VoluntaryServices (SCVS) or your local Development Worker who will be able to help you with theconstitution. SCVS runs a Fundfinder computer programme.

● www.scvs.org.uk or Tel: 01792 544000;

● Also check out the £ind £unding for Initiatives on Nutrition and Diet booklet, available fromFood Standards Agency Wales, Tel: 02920 678999 - www.food.gov.uk.

Useful Links● www.foodvision.gov.uk;

● www.soilassociation.org/localfood - UK's leading campaigning and Certificationorganisation for organic food and farming;

● www.farmgarden.org.uk;

● www.bbc.co.uk/gardening - for useful fact sheets and advice;

● www.thrive.org.uk - aims to enable positive change in the lives of people with disabilitiesand those who are disadvantaged through gardening and horticulture;

● www.swanseacommunityfarm.org.uk - Tel: 01792 578384;

● Swansea College Community Operations Tel: 01792 284101 for training in the community.

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Examples of growing activities● BTCV. Tel: 01792 818550/456224;

● Swansea Community Farm. Tel: 01792 578384;

● Connect Project, Swansea Tel: 01792 465383(growing on allotment and in patio pots);

● Grow It, Cook It, Eat It (formerly Spade to Fork), Pembrokeshire.Tel: 01437 776168 (aimed at primary school children);

● 104 Community House, Blaenymaes. Tel: 01792 578741;

● Drop In Centre, Blaenymaes. Tel: 01792 580905.

(Thanks to Lea Halborg, Redhead Consultancy Ltd., for much of the informationused in this section)

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My Growing Scheme Plan (1)Write a list of what you would like to grow:

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●

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●

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Important Considerations to think about for your growing project:

Is your proposed growing space in a sunny location or shaded area?

What area gets the most sun & for how long?

Where is the nearest source of water?

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Think about where you live & whereyou could grow things:(Tick the areas that apply to you)

❑ Window Box or Patio Containers

❑ Front or Back garden

❑ Raised Planting Area

❑ Local Allotment

❑ Green Gym Allotment

❑ Local Community Garden Scheme

❑ An unused piece of land

What is the soil like? Clay/Acidic/Alkaline?

Have you tested your soil?

What direction is the prevailing wind coming from?

What is the drainage like?

Do you have any Sheltered Areas?

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My Growing Scheme Plan (2)How much time in the week do youhave to spend on this project?(Tick what suits you)

❑ Under 30 Minutes

❑ 30 mins - 1 Hour

❑ 1-2 Hours

❑ Over 2 Hours

What preparation work doyou need to do:

Turn over the Soil, if so how bigan area is it?

Do you need to prepare the soil withlime/manure/organic matter?

Do you need to prepare compost& drainage for containers/pots/raisedplanting areas?

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What tools do you already have?(Tick)

❑ Garden Fork

❑ Garden Spade

❑ Hoe

❑ Small Hand Tools

❑ Rake

❑ Gloves

❑ Wheel Barrow

What other preparation work do you need to do?(Write in the space provided)

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My Plan (3)To get my project started I need to:

1. by:

2. by:

3. by:

4. by:

What do I need to do after & how often?

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(Lea Halborg, Redhead Consultancy Ltd. - www.redheadwales.co.uk)

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Where can I get help from?

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Things to plantin trays

Things to plantstraight intothe ground

When to plant inTrays/Ground

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AllotmentsWhat is an allotment?An allotment is a plot of land, usually about 28 yards x 15 yards or approximately 250 squaremetres in size (half plots are also available), which can be rented for growing fruit and vegetablesfor you and your family. The land is generally owned by the local council.

What are the benefits?● Cultivating an allotment provides an affordable way of getting fruit and vegetables;

● Fresh fruit and vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet;

● It’s a very rewarding pastime/hobby;

● Enjoying an open space within your community;

● Allotments are important recreational assets for people without gardens;

● Able to grow organically without the use of herbicides and fungicides;

● Working an allotment gives you plenty of fresh air and healthy exercise, and it can be suitablefor the elderly and disabled people;

● Gardening has been shown to benefit mental and physical health and well being;

● Having an allotment can be a social activity and brings people together from all age groupsand backgrounds;

● Environmental benefits - less food miles, composting, attracting wildlife, bird/bat boxes;

● Garden design – develop your own ideas e.g. willow sculptures, scarecrows, topiary,relaxation areas;

● You know where your food comes from; you control what you put into it.

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How do I get an allotment?1. Contact the Local Authority - Parks Department, They will give you good advice.

● City & County of Swansea - 01792 635407

2. Ask to be put on the waiting list if you can’t get one straight away.

3. Contact the Allotments Regeneration Initiative at and the National Association of Allotment& Leisure Gardeners Ltd. (NSALG) at:

● www.farmgarden.org.uk/ari

● www.nsalg.org.uk

4. Check on any sites that are privately run.

5. Ask a friend who has an allotment if you can help or share.

How much will an allotment cost per year?All sites within the City & County of Swansea cost £25.00 per full plot (2006).Less 50% discount for people on benefits and older people.

How to start your allotment● Don’t over do the digging - take care of

your back;

● Compost all annual weeds;

● Dig out perennial weeds and dispose of them;

● Ask advice from other plot holders;

● Share surplus plants and produce;

● Raised beds can be a good idea.

Things to bear in mind1. You cannot sell the produce you grow -

it’s meant for you and your family& friends.

2. You cannot sub-let your plot.

3. You must not leave the water taps runningover night.

4. You cannot keep live stock.

5. You cannot light bonfires.

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Where to find allotments in SwanseaManaged by City & County of Swansea:

● Acre Field Allotments, Norton, Mumbles Entranceon Castle Road, just after Grenville Road;

● Norton Field Allotments, Norton, Mumbles Entranceoff Mumbles Road;

● Frederick Place Allotments, Llansamlet NearLôn Las School;

● Heol Y Gors Allotments, Cockett, off Cockett Road;

● Townhill Allotments, Townhill Off Townhill Road,behind Fairfield Social Club;

● Gendros Allotments Entrance off Gendros Avenue East;

● Gorseinon Allotments Einon St Gorseinon;

● St Thomas Allotments;

● Treboeth Allotments.

Managed by a management committee:

● Cwmgelli Allotment Society;

● Singleton Allotments Association(off King George V Road);

● Plunch Lane Allotments (off Plunch Lane, Mumbles);

● Castle Acre Allotments Society (off Castle Road,Mumbles);

● Tycoch/Lon Mafod Allotments (off Lon Mafon Road).

Other Useful InformationIf you are interested in managing an allotment site, you can buya guide “Growing in the Community: A Good Practice Guide for theManagement of Allotments”. This guide was jointly published inJune 2001 by the DTLR, the Greater London Authority, the LocalGovernment Association and the Shell Better Britain Campaign.It is available from:

IDeA Publication SalesLayden House,76 - 86 Turnmill Street, London, EC1M 5LG.Tel: 020 7296 6600 (quote EN012)

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Plant a Fruit Tree SchemeThis can be a very simple scheme to set up where people are invited to request a fruit treeor bush to be planted in their garden. The scheme should be open to all community members.You will need to apply for funding to purchase the trees and bushes, and have some knowledgeof how to plant. BTCV would be able to advise you on this.

● British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV), Tel: 01792 818550/456224.

This will help people to grow their own fruit and so encourage people to eat more fruit. Be aware,however, that some fruit trees take some time to fruit for the first time. Guidance on how to lookafter the tree/bush once planted should be given to the new owner.

● The Swansea Environment Centre: www.environmentcentre.org.uk - Tel: 01792 480200

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Useful Websites

● British Trust for ConservationVolunteers (BTCV)36 St. Mary’s StreetWallingfordOxfordshire, OX10 0EUPhone: 01491 839 766Local contact details: 01792 818550(For good advice and guidance)Web site: www.btcv.org

● Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT)MachynllethPowys, SY20 9AZPhone: 01654 705 950Web site: www.cat.org.uk

● Community Composting Network67 Alexandra RoadSheffield, S2 3EEPhone: 0114 258 0483Web site: www.othas.org.uk/ccnE-mail: [email protected]

● Environment CentrePier StreetSwansea, SA1 1RYPhone: 01792 480200Library available

● Federation of City Farmsand Community GardensThe GreenhouseHereford StreetBristol, BS3 4NAPhone: 0117 923 0483Fax: 0117 923 1900Web site: www.farmgarden.org.ukE-mail: [email protected]

● Henry DoubledayResearch Association (HDRA)Ryton Organic GardensCoventry, CV8 3LGPhone: 024 7630 3517Web site: www.hdra.org.ukE-mail: [email protected]

● Soil AssociationBristol House40 - 56 Victoria StreetBristol, BS1 6BYPhone: 0117 929 0661Web site: www.soilassociation.orgE-mail: [email protected]

Thanks to the City & County of Swansea formuch of the information in this section

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If you are interestedin other food activities,why not check out theother booklets:

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