Growing interest shown as hall packed out for group’s food talk
SOLVING issues around the production and supply of food packed out a community hall with people keen to offer solutions.
Food-growing network Incredible Edible Loughborough held its first public meeting at Fearon Hall on how taking over disused land in urban spaces to grow fruit and vegetables could be an answer.
Julian Rees is the founder of the town’s group of the nationwide network encouraging more local and seasonal food growing to connect communities, alleviate food poverty and regenerate the environment.
He told the meeting Incredible Edible is unpicking the commodification of food.
“It’s about planting several sites in Loughborough to grow it for free, to help relieve food insecurity. It’s about changing behaviour and changing perceptions of food,” he said.
“We’re ignorant of the food we eat, we don’t know where it comes from or what it has been sprayed with.
“Four million people live in food poverty and the high level of fat in nutrient–deficient food is causing obesity in children.”
It was decided at the meeting to aim for eight plots to plant fruit and vegetables, where people want to go; they can walk on to the land and know how it has been grown. Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Labour Party Jeevun Sandher, 32, said: “It’s a great, hopeful event, I’m pleased to be here. I learnt a lot about extending land uses for fruit and vegetable planting. I’m not a great gardener or a vegetarian but I enjoy eating healthy produce,” he added.
Mike Jones, community participation group chairman of Loughborough in Bloom, suggested using spaces in public places such as primary schools that all have land that could be used and encourage the interest of pupils.
“Incredible Edible Loughborough is one of 40 groups Loughborough in Bloom supports through the RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood initiative,” said Mr Jones.
It’s about planting several sites in Loughborough to grow it for free, to help relieve food insecurity. Julian Rees