Tag: community gardening

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Edinburgh enjoys first taste of community gardening

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Around three hundred people – and at least one giant panda – visited Edinburgh’s first ever Power of Food Festival last weekend. Organisers are delighted with the public response and now hope to stage the event again next year.

The inaugural Power of Food Festival offered a packed weekend of events and family activities celebrating community food growing. All across the city, community food gardens opened their gates to the public, inviting visitors to try everything from insect hunting to tattie lifting and poetry writing, and offering them the chance to listen to music from local bands and choirs. And of
course there was also the opportunity to taste local produce and sample plenty of yummy food!

The Festival, which is entirely volunteer ­run, showcased 15 diverse garden spaces ranging from transformed wasteland to a farmhouse, connecting different initiatives and bringing people together. With lots of laughter and a great sense of community spirit, the weekend was even topped off with a splash of sunshine!

One community gardener and Festival visitor said: “We all seem to be linked by a joy in being outdoors together and working with the environment. Food at the end of it is just one of the rewards.”

The first Power of Food Festival saw an estimated 300 visitors over the two­ day event. It was inspiring with lots of energy, passion and enthusiasm on show in the gardens and lots of interest. Visitors took the opportunity to learn about herbalism and growing tomatoes, to hear food­-inspired storytellers and to pick up some new recipes to try out.

A cycle ride led by Sustrans volunteers also gave visitors the opportunity to explore a range of gardens while enjoying the capital city’s extensive off-­road cycle network. The event also marked the launch of the Edible Edinburgh Charter promoting good food for all.

So all in all, a great weekend – second helpings next year, please!

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Pictures from the Festival are now available on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EdinburghPowerofFoodFestival/photos_stream

For further information about how to get involved visit the website: poweroffoodfestival.wordpress.com/

Twitter: @PoFFest

Facebook: Edinburgh Power of Food Festival