Food for thought (From The Argus)

Food for thought

6:10am Saturday 27th June 2009

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Somewhere near the top of the list of Good Things To Do For The Environment is sort out the way we get our food.

Statistics from the Department For Environment, Food and Rural Affairs show we regularly swap foods with other countries, needlessly importing and exporting similar amounts of the same product.

Greenhouse gas emissions from the UK food network, not including packaging and transport, makes up about 20% of the country’s entire emission output.

The Brighton And Hove Food Partnership is a not-for-profit organisation working to bring healthier and more environmentally friendly food to the city.

Every year they distribute £25,000 in grants, funded by the Primary Care Trust, for projects that increase the availability of fresh food, deliver a healthy eating message or get people involved in cooking or growing food.

Often the main focus of the projects isn’t intentionally environmental, but the results are positive for both people and planet.

Director Vic Else says: “Running a small grants scheme is a great way for us to encourage and support a range of projects, including lunch clubs, school growing projects and volunteer schemes.

“People often have great ideas for food projects but need some money to get going.”

One such project is the Carers Centre allotment at Craven Vale, Craven Road, Brighton. Set up and run by Sarah Padhair Tutton, the allotment is a space where unpaid carers can take a break.

She says: “I started it because I love being outside and I think it’s good for you. I got the allotment and, because I work for the Carers Centre, I thought it would be great to combine the two.”

The project started in September 2008, and has about 16 regular visitors who “come up for an hour or so for a bit of fresh air, for a chat, maybe to do a bit of planting, share a bit of knowledge and have a cup of tea”.

Funding from the Food Partnership means they can now buy seeds and create raised beds for those who find it difficult to bend down.

Sara says: “My image is a couple of people standing round a box doing weeding, having a chat and taking some lettuce home with them.”

Come harvest, visitors share the produce among them. Sarah explains: “It helps people eat healthily but it also looks after physical and mental health.”

Another project given a boost by the funding is the after-school cookery club at Coombe Road Primary School, Brighton. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, about 12 students from years 3 and 4 spend the afternoon cooking before sitting down together to eat.

Club coordinator Jo Harris says: “It’s about encouraging children to try new things and learn healthy ways of cooking food. They often don’t get a chance to do these things at home and they really enjoy it.

“Everything has to be healthy. I try to get them to eat favourites like chicken nuggets, but made from quality food. It’s all home made.”

The cookery club’s funding bought new equipment for the school’s cookery room.

Jo says: “Before, I was bringing in my own pots and pans from home”.

• To find out more about the Carers Centre allotment, call Sarah on 01273 234045. For more on the Food Partnership www.bhfood.org.uk.

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