Welcome to the second annual review of Harvest Brighton and Hove


Annual Review 2010-11


The Harvest project has now helped thousands of people in the city to grow their own, either at home or in a community space. It seems like almost every day we are contacted by new people who want to start growing food on land in their neighbourhood. We know this interest isn’t just a passing trend; it’s about improving our quality of life – reconnecting with healthier food, with outdoor spaces and with our neighbours. We’re really proud to see that the number of growing projects in the city has doubled since our project started because we know the many benefits that food growing can bring. We’re looking forward to another year of exciting new developments for food in Brighton & Hove and to see all these great projects taking root in communities around the city.


Jess Crocker, Harvest Manager


IMPROVE AWARENESS OF THE BENEFITS OF GROWING, BUYING AND EATING LOCAL FOOD


Over the past year, interest in food growing has continued to increase – both within Brighton & Hove and further afield. Harvest projects have featured in national media including the ‘Great British Food Revival’ tv show on BBC2, 'Market Kitchen' on the Good Food Channel, and an article in the Guardian about our Grow Your Neighbours Own garden share scheme. Harvest also won a national competition to be filmed with celebrities Sara Cox and Rufus Hound for the National Lottery draw show. Team members even visited Parliament to give evidence to a Select Committee about our efforts to create a more sustainable food system for the city.


There is clear interest locally too, with more than 20,000 people visiting the Harvest website over the past year and more than a dozen new community vegetable gardens starting up across the city – bringing the total number of community gardens in the city up to more than 60! Some of these


new gardens were inspired by our demonstration vegetable garden in Preston Park, which has now doubled in size and continued to receive positive feedback from visitors and park users.


‘I have followed the vegetable plot with great interest and it has inspired me to start my own little vegetable plot in my garden. Thank you for the advice.’


‘Excellent venture, have observed on a regular basis and am very impressed by what has been achieved. It is a first-hand resource for educating young people on how things grow, long may it last.’


‘Well done to all who are concerned with this innovative idea, and I hope to see more of this kind of thing in other parks and communal areas. What an enjoyable experience.’


Above: Volunteers at the vegetable garden in Preston Park. Left: With Caroline Lucas MP and Simon Kirby MP before giving evidence at Parliament


confidence of local people in growing food


guidance that support land use and infrastructure for urban agriculture


. .. . .


improve awareness of the


benefits of growing, buying and eating local produce develop strategies and


increase the amount of food produced locally


Harvest Outcomes


improve access to local food increase skills and


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