One Planet Food - Sutton

Sutton Starts Growing!

Local environmental charities BioRegional and EcoLocal, have launched an exciting new One Planet Food project that will enable Sutton residents to buy affordable, delicious and nutritious local food and get fit and healthy through growing their own. The project includes:

• Food growing and healthy eating training; EcoLocal’s research found a high demand locally for beginners adult food growing courses, family learning, and a need to increase knowledge about healthy eating in a fun non-judgemental way. One Planet Food will develop a food growing training centre on a local allotment, where people can learn food growing skills hands-on.  One Planet Food will also take interactive food growing, health eating and cooking activities out to schools and community groups and run events in local high streets.  The project will engage widely with local people and organisations, and will even train locals to act as food ambassadors.

• Setting up Sutton’s first community farm near Carshalton and Wallington – perfect for people who don’t have enough time for their own allotment but would like to grow some food and learn new skills. The farm launched in February 2010 providing free growing space and training www.suttoncommunityfarm.org.uk ;

• A network of local food markets providing fresh affordable local produce in areas with limited access; the first market kicked off in Hackbridge, near BedZED, in March 2010 www.vegvan.org.uk ;

• A local food network linking with local producers to supply healthy local food to Sutton’s schools and hospitals.

The project is funded by the Big Lottery Local Food Fund, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, NHS Sutton and Merton, Sutton Council and with in-kind support from Southern Railway. It is part of One Planet Sutton - promoting sustainable council services, sustainable lifestyles and workplaces within the London Borough of Sutton.

The team will monitor the environmental, social and economic impacts of the programme in order gauge its effectiveness in reducing the area’s ecological footprint and benefitting the local economy.

For more information or to get involved contact: anna.francis@bioregional.com or call 020 8404 7085