New report challenges councils to cultivate ambition for community food growing across UK - The Wildlife Trusts

Evidence prompts The Wildlife Trusts, the WI, Incredible Edible and Garden Organic to call for a ‘Right to Grow’ in towns and cities.

A new report from the Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature project is calling upon local councils to raise their ambition for community food growing after finding significant benefits for community well-being, nature restoration and local economies.

The project, a unique partnership between The Wildlife Trusts, the WI, Incredible Edible, and Garden Organic, funded by The National Lottery Fund, has supported local community food initiatives to grow sustainable and nature-friendly food across the UK, including in London, Nottingham and Hull.

The independent report shows that community food growing:

• Boosts local economies and provides opportunities to access natural spaces
• Improves people’s physical health through them spending time in nature
• Can make a huge difference to mental health and well-being as people work together to grow food in their local area

The findings add to the wealth of research into the benefits of access to green space, and the positive effects that community work and volunteering can have on health and well-being. The Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature project is now urging local government to adopt the principle a ‘Right to Grow’ across the UK due to the provable benefits for people and wildlife.