This funding has allowed us to employ two workers to help develop this project and offer support and advice from our newly in post Community Horticultural Ranger, Tracey Goodwin. Feel Good Foods has a community garden based at the Dukeries College for use by its members and regular work parties are held here over the growing season by our Ranger who is on hand to give advice and support. We also o
ffer support to local schools and organisations, offer volunteering, training and educational opportunities and horticultural workshops and have a resource library which all members can access. We hold regular social events and members can reap the rewards of their labour from the community garden when the fruit and veg are ready to be picked. The project will work with local schools and organisations to help them to establish or develop productive school / community gardens and offer practical advice and support in things such as design, planting, educational sessions, etc. It will also work with local families and individuals to promote and raise awareness of growing and eating healthy food and encourage the community to adopt a greener and healthier lifestyle. All members will have access to the FGF community garden, support from the Horticultural Ranger, access to a resource library and help if needed to set up a vegetable plot in their own gardens. There will also be horticultural workshops and training available to all members to help them to develop new skills and confidence in ‘growing their own’. It is also envisaged that a local LETS (Local Exchange Trading System) will be set up and developed as part of this project. The project will also be developing a website to promote and engage with the local community, schools and organisations. The project will be working with:
• Local schools
• Local organisations
• Local families and individuals
• Volunteers
The need for such a project was identified through research and consultation from a feasibility study conducted on behalf of ODEF by Sherwood Sustainability and Environmental Associates in 2007. Local schools and a number of local groups / organisations were also approached more recently and fully support the need for the project and sent letters of support, thank you if you were one of them! To find out more information please feel free to give us a ring on 01623 863887 and ask for Tracey, Rebecca or Carol. Alternatively look out for the launch of our website www.feelgoodfoods.org.uk which will go online soon. I have enclosed a membership form for you to join the project and an application form for support from our Horticultural Ranger. All of this is free so if you are interested in joining and / or getting support from our Ranger then please complete the forms and get them back to me at the above address. I look forward to hearing from you.
