Universities & Communities
Overview
An increasing number of universities are becoming involved with food growing, either through schemes to encourage better eating among their own community of students, through the rise of food growing/allotments societies, or as a way of using university land to engage with the local community.
There are several reasons behind this phenomenon. The interest in food growing is catching on among students as much as it is among other sectors of society, often as part of wider interest in environmental issues. People of university age are generally more environmentally aware than previous generations, having been educated about such issues as sustainability, carbon reduction and food miles.
There are also several national schemes recently launched to encourage students to grow their own food, which have an element of community involvement. See below for details of the Fresher Freshers scheme from Homebase and the National Union of Students, as well as a Transition Towns campaign to create 30 Transition Universities.
In addition a number of universities are setting up their own projects using land they own to create growing plots, allotment sites and communal growing spaces. A number of these aim to incorporate some degree of involvement from the local community.
Emerging Trends
National Schemes
Fresher Freshers: A scheme set up by Homebase and the NUS in May 2010 which aims to encourage students to grow their own fruit and veg on land set aside by universities for the purpose (because students are often poor and have bad diets). This is part of a wider scheme from Homebase called Get Into Gardening.
The scheme is being rolled out at the University of Bradford, Leeds University Union, Liverpool Guild of Students, University of Gloucestershire Students' Union, University of Bristol Union, Students' Union Royal Holloway and the University of Kent Union.
Susan Nash, Vice President of Society and Citizenship of NUS, said: "Recent NUS research has shown us that 42 per cent of students would grow their own fruit and vegetables if given the facilities and tools.
Ideas being discussed by the NUS for these pilots include:
- Community growing schemes in the gardens of off-campus rented houses
- Integrating community groups
Transition Universities: The Going Greener campaign is inspired by the Transition Towns movement and brings staff and students together to develop and implement a community response to the twin challenges of climate change and energy security. The campaign will create a network of universities working to become resilient, low-carbon & more community-led in addressing their environmental & social impacts.
Individual Universities Food Growing Projects
University of Brighton Community Food Scheme: A small food project started in July 2010 is bringing together university and community members in Moulsecoomb. The project is all about working together to bring sustainable, local, healthy food to the and its neighbouring communities. The long term vision is to create local food communities around all five University of Brighton campuses and the whole university community.
University of Leeds Bardon Grange Project: The Bardon Grange project is a community food growing project that helps students, staff, and other members of the local community grow organic food, and gives people access to some communal growing space. The main site is an old walled garden in North West Leeds that is owned by Leeds University, where people can come along to learn, practice and enjoy growing good food with other people from the local community. The project was established in January 2009 and is coordinated by Leeds University Union's Volunteering & Community office.
Sussex University- Sussex Roots: A collective based at Sussex University that aims to engage and educate students, staff and members of the wider community. They welcome everyone to the allotment, and encourage people to enjoy the space and relax in the outdoors, in the presence of a wide variety of vegetables, berries, wild flowers, small fruit trees and wildlife. They have also run a number of practical workshops with local experts.
University of Bradford Ecoversity Growing Project: Growing Spaces' Project. Staff and students are invited to come together to develop a food growing space on campus. Gardening experience is not necessary - all that's required is an interest, enthusiasm and a desire to make the most of nature.
University of Bangor Horticultural Organic Garden Society: A student-led community garden in the heart of Upper Bangor, next to St James Church on Ffriddoedd Road. The garden is intended to be a fun place to learn and share organic garden skills, work together to grow food and reduce environmental impact. Events planned include: food festivals, food film nights, smallholding visit, herb workshops and composting. The society also has a Facebook group.
More Information
Most information can be gained from using the links above. See also an article in the Guardian newspaper from October 2010
