LEAF Community Allotments Project, Sheffield
Lead Organisation: Permaculture Association (Britain)
Contact Andy Goldring by email at andyg@permaculture.org.uk or telephone on 07986 346525.
Lead Facilitator:
Contact as above.
The project aims to:
Provide opportunities for local residents and community groups to:
- Learn how to grow organic food
- Share produce
- Learn skills to use in own gardens
- Involve project users in developing and managing the project
LEAF (Local Enterprises Around Food) began as a way to address the need for better access to fresh fruit and vegetables in the north Sheffield area. The aims were to relieve poverty by promoting accessible, nutritious food without discrimination.
The LEAF Community Allotments Project began in 2001 when it took over derelict allotments with the aim of enabling local residents and community groups to learn how to grow organic food, sharing produce and learning skills to use in their own gardens, and also to work with other groups to improve people's health and well-being.
The project gives people the chance to produce and share a wide range of healthy organic vegetables along with gentle physical exercise in an outdoor setting. People involved in the project have included local residents, school children, disabled individuals, womens groups and others. Some volunteers have gone on to get their own allotments but still volunteer with and support the project. There has been continuing support from local residents and increasing respect from other allotment holders. The project currently has around 50 regular volunteers.
As a result of all the work by volunteers all plots on the site are now productive. They are producing many and varied organic crops. In 2006 there were 40 different varieties of potatoes being produced!
Project contact:
Diane Cocker
Lucy.leaf@virgin.net
07799851888 or 0114 285 4479