Our Proposal

PROPOSAL  

Would you like to be able to eat more locally-grown and seasonal food? Would you like to grow some fruit and vegetables in your garden or back green? Would you like there to be more composting facilities available?

These are the kinds of questions that a growing group of Shandon residents have been asking over the last few months. So far, well over a hundred people in the community have responded positively, with over sixty turning up at a public meeting on 3 February 2009 and equally high numbers at subsequent meetings.

You can see our constitution and steering group in the key documents section.

We received a grant from the Climate Challenge Fund (April 2009). This is a newly-established fund which invites bids from community groups for ideas which reduce “carbon footprint” – that is, reduce energy-use, pollution or waste.  The grant we have received will cover research in our setting up phase.  We have appointed Footprint Consulting to carry out this work through to January 2010.

We are also developing a community newsletter and notice-board and see our “Meetings” section for past and upcoming events.

Beyond the setting up phase we are still very open to ideas, such as

• Looking at community land for communal use.
• Working with local shops to increase the amount of local and seasonal produce for sale.
• Encouraging more use of gardens and backgreens for growing fruit and vegetables, with access to free advice and materials; starter pack and web-based advice.
• Organising delivery of fruit and vegetable boxes from local organic producers on a much larger scale than at present.
• Increasing the amount of kitchen waste being composted for use in gardens.
• Celebrating what we have done as part of a community event or events.

At some point down the line, we might want to carry out an evaluation of the project, with a view to lessons being shared with other city communities in Edinburgh and elsewhere.

What you can do

If you are interested in this idea, please tell us, as the more people we have on board the stronger the idea becomes. You

1. Whether you might be interested in taking part in such an initiative (without committing yourself);
2. What kinds of activities most appeal to you.

You can email hello@shandonfood.org.uk or phone/text 07847 504011. If you are getting in touch please let us know your address as it is important for us to know where in Shandon interest is strongest.

Go to our Meetings or Key Documents sections to find out more.