Local Food on the menu

Local Food, a new and exciting grants programme funded by the Big Lottery Fund, has officially opened for applications. The £50 million programme - aimed at making locally grown food accessible and affordable to local communities - has been developed by a consortium of organisations, including FCFCG. Local Food is the first Award Partner scheme funded by the Big Lottery Fund's Changing Spaces programme to open its doors for applications, and will look to distribute grants to a variety of food-related community projects across England.

Mark Wheddon, Local Food Programme Manager said: “The Local Food programme provides a fantastic opportunity for a broad section of the public to gain access to local food and is perfectly timed to capitalise on the public’s enthusiasm for locally produced food and the environmental benefits which that brings.

“With such a broad and varied funding programme we would encourage people who are thinking of applying to be as creative as possible. From school farms and community box schemes, to local food education centres and community composting, the list is endless.”

Grants from £2,000 up to £500,000 will be awarded to not-for-profit groups and organisations in England delivering such projects as growing, processing, marketing and distributing local food; composting and raising awareness of the benefits of such activities.

Local Food Grants Events

A series of guidance sessions have been arranged for groups in the process of submitting a first or full stage application to Local Food Programme.  

• 16 June 2008 - North East, Gateshead
• 14 July 2008 - South West, Bristol
• 19 August 2008 - East Midlands, Nottingham
• 22 September 2008 - North West, Manchester

The day will be split into a morning session of presentations, exercises and general discussions on applying for grants. The afternoon will feature a surgery session allowing delegates to chat with someone from local food about their project.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Please note only one person per organisation can attend.

All events are free to attend, but require a £50 deposit, which wil be returned on the day. To reserve your place you will need to download a booking form from the Local Food website at www.localfoodgrants.org and return a hard copy to the address provided with the £50 deposit. Cheques payable to ‘RSWT’. You will need to be a registered user of the Local Food website. If you are not, please register here.

Changing Spaces Advice Line on 0845 3 671 671