PRESS RELEASE

Date: 17^th January 2012

Photo Opportunity: Friday 20^th January, 3.30pm, Brighthelm Community Centre gardens, Queens Road

The Food Partnership’s Harvest project has offered free raspberry canes to groups that can plant them in public spaces in Brighton & Hove, where residents and passersby can see them. Over 200 autumn-fruiting canes will be distributed to more than 20 visible public spaces such as parks, community centres, sheltered housing schemes and housing estates.

The scheme will be launched with a short planting session at the Brighthelm Community Centre where groups can pick up their canes and watch a short lesson on how to plant them successfully.

Why plant edible plants in public spaces?

We know from our vegetable garden in Preston Park that making food growing more visible can inspire people to try it at home or to reconnect them with where food comes from and the value of fresh, healthy produce. Where community members are involved in the planting or maintenance, they can learn new skills and benefit from being outdoors. Fruit planting can also bring communities together to meet each other and improve their neighbourhood. Harvest is keen to see more edible perennials used in planting schemes around the city, as these low-maintenance plants provide a new attraction for visitors to our parks and public spaces.

Why raspberries?

We have chosen raspberries because they are attractive plants which need little maintenance but can provide a visible and plentiful harvest of soft fruit which could be picked by passersby, as often happens with brambles. We have particularly chosen autumn-fruiting raspberries because they do not need support structures and because of their long harvest season, ensuring the largest number of people can benefit from access to fresh, healthy fruit.

“It seems like almost every day we are contacted by more people who want to start growing their own on land in their neighbourhood. The ‘big raspberry plant’ is a simple and fun way to make food more visible in the city. We can’t wait to see all these raspberries taking root in communities around Brighton & Hove!” said Jess Crocker, Harvest Manager at the Brighton & Hove Food Partnership.

“We’re delighted to support this unique initiative from Harvest as Brighthelm is planning a new future as a city centre focus for sustainability. We can’t think of anything better than sweet & delicious raspberries, straight from our garden!” said Sue Korman, at the Brighthelm Centre.

Ends

For details about the photo opportunity including arranging to attend please contact the Food Partnership on 01273 431 700.

For more information contact:

1. Jess Crocker, Harvest Manager, Brighton and Hove Food Partnership, Tel: 01237 431 700

Notes for Editors:

1. Harvest Brighton and Hove is a three-year, Big Lottery-funded project led by the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership, in partnership with Food Matters, the University of Brighton, The Brighton and Hove Allotment Federation, the Brighton Permaculture Association, Moulsecoomb Forest Garden and the Whitehawk Community Food Project. It is supported by Brighton and Hove City Council, and Brighton and Hove Teaching Primary Care Trust. www.harvest-bh.org.uk

 

2. Brighton & Hove Food Partnership is a not for profit organisation that works for better food for the city now and in the future. By better food, we mean food that is healthy, affordable, accessible and produced within environmental limits. We believe by working in partnership Brighton & Hove can achieve a sustainable food system. Details of our work are at: www.bhfood.org.uk.

 

3. Local Food has been developed by a consortium of 15 national environmental organisations, and is managed on their behalf by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT). Supported by the Big Lottery Fund's Changing Spaces programme, Local Food will distribute grants to a variety of food related projects to make locally grown food more accessible. Further information please visit www.localfoodgrants.org

 

4. RSWT: The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts is a registered charity, incorporated by Royal Charter, to promote conservation and manage environmental programmes throughout the whole of the UK. It has established management systems for holding and distributing funds totalling more than £20 million annually to environmental projects across the UK.

 

5. Changing Spaces programme: The Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme was launched in November 2005 to help communities enjoy and improve their local environments. The programme funds a range of activities from local food schemes and farmers markets, to education projects teaching people about the local environment.

 

6. The Big Lottery Fund: Is the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out £2 million in Lottery good cause money every 24 hours to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. www.biglotteryfund.org.uk.