Green funding boost from csgn growing food together fund

Alternatives’ community growing project is one of nine environmental projects across central Scotland to have been awarded a part of the £100k Central Scotland Green Network Growing Food Together fund to encourage community growing and promote healthy eating.

Supported by the Scottish Government, projects are sharing the fund to foster community engagement in growing and learning about food, and promote healthy eating and outdoor exercise.

The Green Action Trust, one of Scotland’s leading environmental regeneration charities, is managing the fund as part of its work to drive forward the delivery of the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN).

The Alternatives project is to develop, with the community, a large piece of land in Dumbarton, called Knowetop, to be as good for people and wildlife as possible. It will incorporate allotments, an orchard and a mindfulness garden. There will also be an enclosed area for training in the growing of fruit, vegetables and herbs. For wildlife, we will be planting trees and wildflowers and expanding hedgerows as wildlife corridors. There will be activities for families and individuals to get involved in throughout the year.

The CSGN is Europe’s largest greenspace initiative which seeks to transform central Scotland into a place where the environment adds value to the economy and where people’s lives are enriched by its quality and initiatives.

Derek Robertson, Chief Executive of the Green Action Trust, said:

“We were very pleased to receive such a positive response to our Growing Food Together fund. This will help ensure that the Central Scotland Green Network Plan will continue to make a considerable contribution to projects that are improving the central belt on the ground.

“Innovative community growing projects like these will develop important areas for people to come together safely, creating vibrant community growing resources to encourage healthy eating, benefit local and disadvantaged communities, and enhance the local environment.”

Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon said:

“The Growing Food Together Fund helps local communities enjoy the benefits of growing fruit and vegetables by supporting projects that deliver social, community, health and environmental benefits.

“We are all increasingly aware of the importance of having access to growing and greenspaces as well as the physical and mental benefits of being outside. I am delighted that this support will help even more people get involved in community growing spaces and learn about the value of fresh, locally-grown food.”

For further information about the CSGN Growing Food Together fund, please visit www.centralscotlandgreennetwork.org.

The CSGN is a national development in the National Planning Framework 3 encompassing 19 local authorities across 10,000 sq km. It has the potential to benefit 3.8million people, equating to 68 per cent of Scotland’s population.