In a time of rising costs of living and regular food shortages, there has never been a better time for communities to come together to grow their own food. Incredible Edible Leeds CIC are an organisation that support people in Leeds to launch projects to do just that, and are in the running to get a huge financial boost which will enable them to reach even more people with their resources and support.
The Incredible Edible vision is to create kind, confident and connected communities through the power of small actions. So far, Incredible Edible Leeds have active groups in 14 areas across the region, with raised beds, communal gardens and even orchards where people work together to grow and share food. These can be viewed here including maps of where they all are.
If won, the funding will create more public spaces that improve access to free fruit, vegetables and herbs to promote healthy eating, reduce food waste and increase opportunities for people to make new connections through volunteering. The project aims to:
- Promote healthy eating and improve access to fresh food.
- Bring people together to build strong relationships
- Increase volunteering opportunities and reduce loneliness
How it all began
Incredible Edible Leeds founder Dan Robinson shares his story of how he began his food growing mission:
“I started Incredible Edible in Garforth because I saw the potential for food to grow in public places and for curious children (and adults!) to pick and eat it. When other areas of Leeds asked us how we did it, I realised that they faced similar barriers to what we did and were being held back by red tape. That’s why we created Incredible Edible Leeds and I’m proud to lead it.
In the three years of running Incredible Edible in Leeds, I have had people tell me that the project has been lifesaving for them, they have ‘made friends we otherwise wouldn’t have met’, there have also been many stories of removing loneliness and isolation.
“The work we all do, really matters. It tackles climate issues, it supports mental and physical health, it brings people together to combat loneliness and isolation, it spreads kindness and it creates confidence. It’s open and accessible for people of any age or background.”
People’s Projects is an initiative set up by the National Lottery in partnership with ITV and others to award community groups around the country with £70,000 worth of funding each to improve the lives of people in their local area. You can vote for Incredible Edible by following this link.
