In the UK, it is estimated that 8.4 million people are living in food poverty (2022 figures), with 1 in 6 of us using a foodbank at some point in March 2022. At The Food Forest Project, they believe that this is unacceptable and are making it their mission to tackle food poverty in Somerset.
The Food Forest Project work with local landowners and communities to create community food-growing spaces to ensure that everyone has access to free, fresh, organic produce that doesn’t cost the Earth. Projects are planned depending on the needs of the communities, and may be a food forest, or wild orchard, or perhaps food bank market gardens where volunteers grow organic produce for their local food bank, or even free community allotments.
Each project is designed with nature in mind, using only native and often heritage trees, shrubs, and seeds. Their projects help to create resilient communities, and resilient landscapes galvanising some of the key issues faced by society today.
The Food Forest Project is currently planning two projects that require infrastructure such as native orchard trees, water harvesting systems, compost, timber for raised beds, tools, seeds, and two sheds. Both projects are in areas of high deprivation.
The first is a free community allotment scheme in the city of Bristol for a community that’s in the top 10% of most deprived areas in the country. On average, men in this area live 10 years less than those in more affluent areas, over 50% of children live in poverty, and the area is nature depleted.
The second scheme is in Norton Radstock, an old mining town, where the Trussel Trust food bank is hugely oversubscribed. This project will be a community food forest with mixed native wild and domestic harvest fruit, and nut trees, berry & currant shrubs, and a variety of different herb bushes.
“It is absolutely wonderful news to be shortlisted by the Matthew Good Foundation, and we are so grateful.
The Food Forest Project exists to reduce and mitigate food poverty in a way which helps people reconnect with the planet and each other. It’s impossible to ignore the intersection between mental health, physical health, societal health, and the health and wellbeing of our planet.
Thank you so much!”
“The concept of seeking underused land that appears to have little value to organisations and identifying that through close community collaboration, the land can be used to enhance biodiversity and produce food for people in the local community is fantastic. This brilliant small charity is receiving unprecedented interest for food projects in more areas, and while operating locally at the moment, there is also the potential for future expansion into other regions.“
Latest Project Updates
November 2023
Granted £2,000
After becoming a finalist in John Good Group's Grants for Good, The Food Forest Project was granted £2,000
October 2023
Grants for Good Finalist
The Food Forest Project has become one of the top five finalists in the latest Grants for Good round, and will receive a grant between £2000 and £5000 after employees at the John Good Group have voted on their favourite causes.