Climate change is for real. We have just a small window of opportunity and it is closing rapidly. There is not a moment to lose.
Dr. Rajendra Pachauri
Chairman, IPCC
How can food make a difference?
The Food Group aims to show people how to cut carbon through their consumption of food. To help us make the right decision when we buy our food, download a simple guide to Food - with a Small Carbon Footprint.
Garden Share Scheme
Do
you have an unused corner of your garden that you'd be happy to share
with a grower? Do you want to grow fruit and veg, but don't have a
garden? Then join BCA's garden share scheme. This project
matches enthusiastic and respectful gardeners to local garden owners
who want to see their garden used more productively. It's a
growing initiative - Bovey Tracey Primary School will be gardening this
year thanks to an introduction through the scheme. If you're interested, contact Miriam on 01626 835311. More details here.
Community Garden
The Food group is putting together a proposal to the National Trust to set up a community garden in the walled garden at Parke. We want to create a 'Past, Present and Future' Community garden. Our idea is to have the best of the past and present - and some considered predictions for the future - to create a dynamic garden. We would help local people grow fruit and vegetables, and share ideas on good practice. A mix of old, new and unusual species, variety and growing methods would be used. The overall aim would be to inspire people to enjoy growing and eating local, seasonal food.
Community Garden Health and Safety Policy
An important aspect of the garden are the health and safety of the volunteers for which we now have a policy (v4.09), clear here to read: Health and Safety Policy for Community Garden at Parke. v4.09
Buying Local
Reduce food miles and boost our local economy by buying local! Research shows that every £10 spent on local food results in £25 investment in the local economy. We can now get supermarket-style deliveries of local farm produce and groceries from over 100 westcountry producers through Exeter-based OWN 'Devon's Online supermarket.' Every one of the 3,000 products listed has its own food mile count, and shopping online saves you getting in the car to go to the shops. They've just started to deliver in the Bovey area - why don't you try it out - and let us know what you think of them. OWN is at http://www.ownonline.co.uk
Food Directory
The Food Group is also compiling a local food directory. If you want to contribute, email Audrey or ring 0845 478 6311 to pass on details of any shops or producers selling good local food that you think should be on our list.