WHAT IF?
who we are
We are a group of residents of Waltham Forest concerned about the crisis of food in our borough and across the city. Food poverty is high, access to nutritious food is limited, and the system that supplies our food is destroying the planet.
What we want
We want to live in a city that nurtures and makes the most of its green spaces to help feed everyone. We believe in a food system that protects and supports our wildlife and nourishes and feeds our communities. We envision a borough that leads the way on a regenerative, localised economy which serves everyone.
There are already countless community groups in the borough already working tirelessly to steward the land and feed people. (See the Waltham Forest Food Growers Network). But this movement needs support.
We want our local authority to match the energy, creativity and passion that exists in our communities. Food is our right, we want the Right to Grow it.
OUR MISSION
To achieve a Right To Grow in Waltham Forest and extend it to people that could benefit from it most.
A process by which community groups and residents can access meanwhile leases to grow food on public land (as well as support accessing land managed by Housing Associations).
A small start-up fund for new community growing groups to access training, infrastructure and tools.
A permanent community food officer role in the council.
Our asks
Access to unused public land
A community garden start-up fund
A community food growing officer
WHY?
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Food production
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Health & social care costs saved
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Flood mitigation
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Carbon Capture
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Biodiversity
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Soil health & nutrient content