Southend-on-Sea in Transition

WE START FROM HERE …

A local food celebratory day was suggested by the local food project officers for the Women’s Environmental Network (see www.wen.org.uk) and is to be one of three WEN initiated events in the Eastern Region – the others being in Ipswich and Yarmouth.

The events are intended to showcase the development of three community gardens one in each area – the S E Essex one being WEN’s plot at the Manchester Drive allotments – and will create a focus for energy and partnership working that will provide a solid foundation for celebrating new food growing skills within the community. The projects aim to reduce isolation by encouraging isolated and disadvantaged women (and men) to get involved in gardening and food-growing as a healthy, outdoor activity, and by publicizing the existence of other community gardening groups in the area and in other parts of the East of England. The three events will be linked to encourage participants from each project to visit other food-growing projects in their local  area and in the East of England to enable the sharing of experience, as well as learning new skills and gaining greater confidence together.

Ideally anyone involved in, or interested in, local food production (and distribution) would have input into and take part in the day.

How WEN’S local food project workers see the day –

“We would like to organise three celebratory events, modelled on our successful Culture Kitchen events, that will bring together urban food growers of different religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds
to share their ideas for and experiences of food growing, and enjoy a shared meal produced from the fruits of their plots. They will also have the opportunity to discuss and address the issue of accessing
fresh, healthy and affordable food in their areas, through food growing and other means. These activities will enable people from a variety of backgrounds to coalesce around shared local issues,
sharing skills and ideas over a community meal.”

OVER FOR SUGGESTIONS FOR THE WAY FORWARD : –

The date has been set for Oct 16^th 2010 (which coincidentally is World Food Day).

The aims of the day will be:

1. To bring together urban food growers of different religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds to celebrate food growing skills, to share ideas for and experiences of food growing, and to enjoy a shared meal produced from the fruits of their plots.

2. To provide the opportunity to discuss and address the issue of accessing fresh, healthy and affordable food in their areas, through food growing and other means.

3. To enable people from a variety of backgrounds to coalesce around shared local issues, sharing skills and ideas over a community meal.

Suggestions have already been made for the programme for the day –

Showing positive films such as Robecca Hoskin’s Farm For A Future or some shorts on local forest gardens and orchards etc

An ‘Open Space’ or ‘World Café’ discussion space

Apple pressing and juicing (Graham Burnett has said he might have his own apple press by then)

Lots of local produce for sale

Lots of networking and local groups involved

Seed swapping

Recipe swapping

Veggie burger tasting

Permaculture display/workshop

Willow work

To be decided are –

The venue (to accommodate at least 60 people with easy access to a community food growing area and big kitchen)

the agenda (its all up for discussion!)

To register your interest or send in ideas

email Eileen Peck <eileen@peckfamily.co.uk

Carol Ferrett

S E Essex Women’s Environmental Network

01702  342148

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