Food resilience

Bristol’s first seed library was launched in Bishopston Library on 22 March, when people from the local community came together to celebrate and share what they plan to grow this year. A seed library works much like a traditional library. People from the local community “borrow” seeds from the seed library at planting time. At the end of the growing season, they save seeds from the plants and return a portion of the seeds to the library. We hear from organiser Emma Lewins about how it all works and how this exciting project is progressing.

Today’s story is from Emma Geen from Power of Doing (POD), part of the national Climate Emergency Centre Network. We hear from Emma about work to create a new community and climate centre in Bristol. The centre will look at many areas in which people can take action as communities, groups, and in their personal lives. Get involved by sharing what you would like in the space and how you would like to use it.

The brilliant Bristol Gleaning Network recently updated its name to become the Avon Gleaning Network, reflecting expansion to Bath and areas outside of Bristol. Today’s blog is from Coordinator Samantha Williamson about her motivations for gleaning and her aim to get more children and young people involved. Samantha is looking to connect with more farms, volunteers and food projects, so get in touch if you would like to help.

In our latest Bristol Bites Back Better blog we hear from Heart of BS13’s Food Security Programme Lead, Jodie Smith, about the work the organisation is doing in Hartcliffe and Withywood. Mobilising adults, young people and children to improve life outcomes, Heart of BS13 address food hardship, improves physical and mental health and takes action to tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis.

When we launched the Bristol Bites Back Better campaign in November, we wanted to get the conversation going and hear from the people of Bristol. We asked two simple questions, and got a wide range of answers so far, giving us insight into what Bristol citizens want to see happening in our city, and who deserves celebration. Insights Manager at cycling charity Love to Ride, Fleur, has compiled some of the responses in our latest blog post. You can still get involved!

Without having any prior gardening experience, café-owners Faruk and Shilpi Choudhury of Chai Shai Kitchen started an edible garden in the grounds of their flat at Carrick House, Hotwells in the lockdown of spring 2020. This encouraged others in the local community to get involved and “Joy Hill” was formed. Read this inspiring story in our latest #BiteBackBetter blog post by Faruk.

  • Categories