Food & agriculture
Practical Tips
The lockdown has created an urgent need to help key workers and those unable to get by, and Nailsworth’s Food Hub, created by Nailsworth Chamber of Trade with the support of a number of local hospitality venues, has been an inspiring response to the crisis. It is an exemplar of community support and practical action, and a lesson to all of us we may need to learn for the future.
Staying healthy and eating well are important to everyone, and people want to know where their food comes from, and avoid highly processed foods. Produce that is locally grown, and food that is locally produced, will help us do this. It also supports the local economy and reduces the carbon footprint of the food we consume. Growing one’s own can make a contribution to this, and community gardens like that at Nailsworth Primary School show what’s possible with teamwork.
What small steps can we take immediately? A few Practical Tips:
Eating out? Then stay local and sample the locally produced food from our wide range of hospitality venues in Nailsworth, which will need our support as we move out of lockdown - most of these venues endeavour to source produce locally wherever possible.
Please offer material, practical or financial support to the Nailsworth Food Hub (contact details at this link, which also provides details for those needing to apply for meal deliveries)
The Stroud District Foodbank is a major operation and people can support it with supplies and with their own labour. St. George’s Church is also involved in offering support.
Start to grow your own - baby steps at first to build your confidence - and take advice from experts like Helen Pitel, who gave an inspiring talk to NailsworthCAN before the lockdown
Find a group near you already doing great things and offer your support (there are Orchards at Rockness, Nortonwood and Miles Marling Field, and Nailsworth In Bloom have many ideas they need help with).
Support those offering local produce such as the WI and St George’s Church flour and veg boxes.
Participate in NailsworthCAN’s ‘Open Edible Gardens’ initiative, by offering photos and videos we can use to celebrate your home grown achievements - small and large (such as this example)
Visit Ruskin Mill’s long-established compositing and biodynamic agriculture, and their shop where produce can be bought.
Want local dairy and loose goods, which also cuts down on plastic? Then Shiny Goodness can help you.
Last but not least, if you have more than you need or feel you have food you can share, why not donate to the Stroud Foodbank, and help out those in need, while avoiding unnecessary waste.
We have been gathering ideas on more significant changes that can be made in this area, so please visit the corresponding Projects/Food&Agriculture page to understand more about what people are proposing