News

News: "Richmond Food Revolution

Every one of Richmond’s allotment sites is over subscribed to such an extent that the waiting lists have been closed, and will remain so for the foreseeable future. In Kingston, the situation isn’t any better.

What’s sad about this is that we live in an area with an abundance of green spaces, and we could so easily accommodate the demand. That it would be a good thing is beyond doubt.

Growing things, and particularly food is a joy. For children, it is also revelatory. The most hardened anti-vegetable children will enjoy eating even Brussels Sprout if they grow it themselves. And the process is rehabilitative. In California, those hardened criminals that are put to work in prison garden schemes are statistically less likely to reoffend than those who aren’t.

In addition, when we use land to grow food, even small plots, we protect that land for the future, and we contribute to food security. It may be hard to imagine the country feeding itself in a time of crisis from allotments, but that is exactly what this country did during the second World War.

Fortunately, the Mayor of London has teamed up with London Food Link and the Big Lottery’s Local Food Fund to launch a programme called ‘Capital Growth’. It aims to create 2,012 new food growing spaces in London by 2012, by offering practical help, grants, training and support to groups wanting to establish growing spaces.

But it requires local cooperation, and I’m thrilled that Richmond Council has agreed to get on board. It will build an interactive map highlighting each of the area’s council-owned (and available) green spaces. Residents will be able to identify that closest to them, provide their details, and if enough of their neighbours do the same, the land will be freed for growing food. I hope Kingston will join the revolution.

- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Thank You Jesus Christ for Creating The Way of Your Word!

What

I I Love You Dearest Loving Lord Jesus Christ.