News
08 February 2010
LONDON'S green-fingered community groups are being offered a share of £75,000.
The cash is available as part of the Capital Growth scheme, supported by the Mayor of London and managed by London Food Link, which encourages Londoners to grow their own food in under-used areas of the capital.
People can apply online for sums between £200 and £1,500 to turn underused land into a vegetable patch.
It is even possible to use grow bags on a concreted piece of ground to 'grow your- own'.
Under the scheme Londoners receive both financial and practical support to produce food, such as access to training and expert advice.
In December's round of funding, 95 new growing spaces including schools, housing estates, homeless hostels and universities benefitted from a share of the first £75,000 on offer.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "Creating lush patches of fruit and veg is catching on, judging by Londoners' enthusiastic response to Capital Growth.
"We've already helped to create dozens of new growing spaces at schools, housing estates, at homeless schemes and at three of the city's universities.
"The scheme is helping to make the urban environment more pleasant and cared for, as well as providing a cheap, fun way to grow grub."
Rosie Boycott, chair of London Food, said: "Capital Growth brings communities together to grow their own affordable food and to cultivate beautiful green urban spaces.
"It's also a great way for people to learn about nutrition and healthy eating, while getting in some gentle exercise along the way.
"Local councils are also now offering their support, with four of them to date - Camden, Islington, Lewisham and Haringey - committing to support no less than 60 new growing spaces each."
Seb Mayfield, from London Food Link who are running Capital Growth, said the scheme had captured the capital's imagination.
"We've had such a diverse range of groups looking to set up spaces and we're on target to create 2012 new community food growing spaces by the end of 2012."
London's primary school children are also being encouraged to grow their own fruit and vegetables by the Mayor through a Capital Growth schools competition launched last month with London in Bloom.
If you'd like to apply for funding, find details at capitalgrowth.org/apply