Celia Briseid, Project Manager at Propagation Place, gives us an update about what’s happening this season at the social venture that’s part of St Werburghs City Farm. The urban food growing project has just launched an apprentice scheme and a new online course is about to commence. The course will be designed to inspire people wherever they are in the country to get growing. Read on to find out how buying plug plants directly from Propagation Place supports the local community.
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.
Abi Sweet from Alive Activities writes the latest Bristol Bites Back Better story with input from colleague Guy Manchester. We hear about the new inclusive community garden project at the Wellspring Settlement opening on 3 March that will be a chance to bring some of the organisations based at the Settlement even closer. The team are looking for volunteers to support sessions and help the local community grow fruit, veg and flowers in a friendly, accessible space.
Siân Kidd writes about how a muddy encounter with a group of children at a holiday supper and play session at The Vench inspired the name of Secret Soup Society. Ingenious, yet simple, the voluntary organisation turns ‘veg on the edge’ into nourishing and delicious soup to fight food waste and feed families. We also hear from volunteer Delfina who shares her ‘Full of Beans Soup’ recipe. To date, the organisation has served over 2000 portions of soup and have a team of 10 volunteers who regularly come and cook, or rescue, food.
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.
This week Better Food published its first ever impact report, taking a look at social, economic and environmental impact. Danni Rochman is both Ethical Sourcing Coordinator at Better Food Company and Communications Coordinator here at Bristol Bites Back Better. In our latest blog, Danni looks at the report’s highs and lows, and Better Food’s plans for the future. If you are working for a food business and have studied your impact in this way, please get in touch so that we can share your story too.
New research suggests that Bristolians are missing out on flavour when it comes to the vegetables they buy. The research commissioned by Riverford shows that only 53% of Bristol residents prioritise quality of flavour, while only 41% think that supermarket vegetables have great taste. Riverford will be conducting more blind taste tests in Cabot Circus this weekend. You can put organic veg to the test at home by buying from the wealth of organic veg box providers available in Bristol.
Pieminister and Tapestry Brewery are collaborating with Bristol Going for Gold sponsor GENeco to create a carbon neutral beer using pie pastry off-cuts. Pie-oneer will be available at Pieminister’s Stokes Croft and Broad Quay restaurants in Bristol from Friday 7 January. 10p from every can sold will go to Bristol-based charity Props, which supports adults with learning difficulties to achieve their full potential. We hear from Jon Simon, Founder and Managing Director at Pieminster, about this exciting collaboration
We hear from Ped Asgarian from Feeding Bristol in the latest Bristol Bites Back Better blog about the One City Food Equality Strategy, which is now open to public consultation. The draft strategy sets out five priorities (fair equitable access; choice; skills and resources; a sustainable local food system; and food at the heart of decision-making) and a set of strategic aims. Read on to find out how to share your views and opinions now.
Today’s Bristol Bites Back Better blog is from Hattie Rowan from One Planet Matters (OPM). Since 2020, OPM has been building a network to help growing groups across the country. In this blog, we hear more about one of their largest projects in Bristol at Sea Mills Primary School, and how you can get involved with OPM as an individual, organisation or school.
