Many people have asked how they might be able to support their communities in these uncertain times; we came up with a plan…
We thought we would encourage more people to grow veg. So we advertised the idea that we could supply a selection of seeds, compost, seed trays and pots; we had a flood of interest.
We undertook a risk assessment, minimised contact between people assembling and delivering the boxes, wore PPE at all times and, importantly, got the green light from Lambeth Council. We set up a Crowdfund to help us deliver the pilot and are very grateful to Engie , to the London Freedom Seed Bank (who donated seeds) and the amazing Paolo Arrigo of Franchi Seeds of Italy (watch him on youtube) for generous financial and material support and we couldn’t have done any of this without the support of Myatt’s Fields Park, providing us with a depot for distribution and many materials too.
That was Phase 1. We then got funding from the London Community Response Fund to deliver a second phase through the summer – more seed, compost and trays and support for growing in the shape of zoom calls and videos from the amazing Fabrice at Myatt’s Fields Park.
The upshot was around 170 new growers, several new community gardens and a general buzz around growing food all over London – on balconies, in back yards, and in community gardens.
Watch the third of our Lambeth Food Stories here and listen to some of the incredible stories from IEL member growers.