Veg Cities Glasgow calls for more food growing in the city

Veg Cities Glasgow launched at a community growing networking event. The city has around 90 community gardens but the Glasgow Community Food Network is advocating for more. Veg Cities Glasgow will work to get food growing recognised as a legitimate use in the future City Development Plan so more land is released, establish a Growers Cooperative, get more locally grown veg into local restaurants and shops, organise pop up markets, ‘Meet the Grower’ events and a 'Chef Challenge' competition to come up with the best local food dish using ingredients from community and market gardens. 

Glasgow has been awarded £5,000 from Sustainable Food Cities to support the campaign, which will be run by Glasgow Community Food Network.

The city has around 90 community gardens but the Glasgow Community Food Network is advocating for more. Veg Cities Glasgow will work to get food growing recognised as a legitimate use in the future City Development Plan so more land is released. They will also establish a Growers Cooperative, organise pop up markets, ‘Meet the Grower’ events and Open Gardens across Glasgow where local people can visit community gardens and market gardens and challenges and competitions in schools to get more kids switched onto their 5-a-day.

Competitions are planned, including the 'Chef's Challenge' – involving 20 cafes and restaurants across Glasgow, who will be presented with a box of locally sourced veg from community gardens and market gardens. The 'Challenge' will be to create the best dish out of the random ingredients. GCFN hopes to get Scotland's National Chef and Masterchef Winner Gary MacLean to judge the meals, as well as a panel of Glasgow based food fans.

Abi Mordin, Chair of Glasgow Community Food Network said “we're really excited to be part of this national campaign. We've got a really imaginative programme of activities over the next 6 months – there really will be something for everyone! Eating more veg helps to improve not only our diets and health, but can contribute to a stronger and more resilient local food economy”.

To know more about the Veg Cities campaign or get involved go to vegcities.org