Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill - Information and discussion event

The Scottish Government have launched the consultation for the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill. This is the last chance for you to influence government policy in areas including:

1. A right for communities to take over underused public sector land and assets.
2. A Community right to buy in urban areas.
3. Changes to allotment law.

If we act together as a network we have more chance of influencing policy.

The consultation document is 75 pages long and has 71 questions – however, FCFCG have produced a 3 page briefing highlighting the 23 questions that they think are most relevant to community gardens.  Please click here to download this briefing.  The consultation is open until January 24th - given that this covers the Christmas period,  time to respond is limited.    

FCFCG are hosting a further explanation and discussion of how this affects projects on December 13th in Glasgow, in association with the Glasgow Local Food Network.  An MSP will be attending this event to give advice on how to influence politicians, both at a policy level and by organising a visit to your project. If you would like to attend the (free) event, please go to the registration page.
 

A Growing Exchange

We are excited to announce the UK premiere of the documentary A Growing Exchange

   

Sunday 24th November 3pm at the CCA Glasgow 

350 Sauchiehall Street Glasgow G2 3JD

Growing Community Projects along the Food Chain

Growing Community Projects Along The Food Chain – Making The Links, Wednesday 25th September

This large-scale networking day has been organised by Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens in conjunction with Keep Scotland Beautiful (which manages the Climate Challenge Fund), Nourish Scotland and the Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations (CEMVO Scotland).

The event will explore how communities can be involved in all parts of local food networks from growing and selling, to eating and composting. There will also be real-life examples from community growing projects that are already involved in growing local food, including Maryhill Community Central Hall Garden.

Growing Communities: Update

There are still a few places left for the Growing Communities: Local Food and Social Justice event next week, and an exciting update on the workshops:

2.30-3.30

• Local Food and Social Enteprise - Pete Richie, Whitmuir the Organic Place / Nourish
• Meeting Emergency Need: Food banks and other models - Tim Cowen, Woodlands Community Garden
• Local Food in disadvantaged areas - Abi Mordin, Urban Roots & Anne Gibson, Community Food and Health Scotland

3.45-4.45

• Welfare Reform: Understanding the changes and how to challenge them - Maggie Kelly, Poverty Alliance
• Meeting emergency need: food banks and other models - Tim Cowen, Woodlands Community Garden
• Global perspectives on food justice - Sara Cowan, Oxfam

4.45-5.30

Plenary discussion chaired by Martha Wardrop (Green Councillor)

Book Online: www.glfngrowingcommunities.eventbrite.com

Scotland’s Local Food Revolution book launch in Glasgow!

The next book in the Centre for Confidence's Postcards from Scotland series is called 'Scotland’s Local Food Revolution' and it’s by Mike Small, Director of the Fife Diet.

This book lifts the lid on the unsavoury reality of our current food system including horsemeat in processed beef products, the unsustainable movement of food round the globe, and how supermarket shopping generates massive waste. It’s an indictment of a food system that is out of control.

Growing Communities - local food and social justice

This event will involve a day of workshops and discussions, followed by a social evening of films, food and music and will take place on Thursday 20 June from 2pm.

This is a chance to meet others working in community food and social justice movements in Glasgow and to help shape stronger responses to the current welfare reforms.

One potato, two potatoes, three potatoes, four!

Glasgow Local Food Network will be hosting their annual seed swap as part of Glasgow Allotments Forum Potato day at the Pearce Institute on Sunday 24 February

Bring along your saved seed or any surplus packets from last year and pick up some tasty new seeds for this year, including some heritage varieties, and get your hand's on this year’s seed potatoes!

Wishes and Wants!

Dear Local Food People,

Locavore would like to invite you to the next meeting of the Glasgow Local Food Network at The Glad Cafe on the Southside on Sunday 10^th February from 5.30pm – 10pm. It will be an evening of networking, experience sharing, short films and some tasty local food.

The event is being hosted for the network by Locavore with the theme “Wishes and Wants”. It will aim to identify how different organisations and individuals can form mutually beneficial partnerships which take forward sustainable local food in Glasgow.

Culture Kitchen Relay

In August 2012 The Hidden Gardens joined forces with The Fife Diet for Culture Kitchen Relay: a unique recipe relay around Scotland to celebrate the country's food and the talented people behind harvesting, cooking and sharing it.

14 days, more than 18 stops, 3 women and 1 van - the ingredients assembled to make an unforgettable road trip celebrating food growing, home cooking and seasonal ingredients. Destinations included community growing projects, schools, farms and local food producers.