New Scheme To Promote Local Food

The £50 million programme, aimed at making locally grown food accessible and affordable to communities, has been developed by a consortium of organisations and is managed on their behalf by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT).

Local Food is the first Award Partner scheme funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme, and will look to distribute grants to a variety of food-related community projects across England.

Mark Wheddon, Local Food programme manager, says, “The 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.

“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.

Peter Wanless, Big Lottery Fund chief executive, adds, “We are proud to support this scheme, which will help improve access to locally grown food for communities right across England. With such public interest in healthy eating and protecting our environment, there has never been a better time for people to come forward and apply for money to help put their local food projects into action.”

To find out more please call the Changing Spaces Advice Line on 0845 3671671, or visit www.localfoodgrants.org.