Project 2023-24 Funded by Open University
Food growers face multiple barriers to growing from lack of funding, bureaucratic obstacles and problems in securing land. From 2023 – 2024, two IEL directors met monthly with projects across the Thames Valley including Reading, Southwark and Runnymede to identify barriers and opportunities for more effective food growing support. Using Participatory Action Research, we observed challenges facing us as organisations, then designed actions to tackle the obstacles. This work was funded and organized by the Open University.
Strategies for overcoming these barriers by IEL in 2024-25 include:
- Work with Lambeth Food Partnership to write an Urban Agricultural Plan and to advocate for the Right to Grow.
- Advocate for a food growing officer within the Council
- Secure funds to support food growers
- Identify resources within the council and advertise them on IEL website